It maybe very early days – and as is widely recognised there’s a lot of improvement required – but a likely first X1 for the match against City may be starting to shape up.
The arrival of the two new boys fixes two places whilst one of two others appear to carry the the ‘taken’ sign.
Most will be a tad concerned that we have fewer decent strong defensive options than may be desirable against Pep Guardiola’s outfit.
But whether it fits your criteria or not, Pelle is an attack minded guy who is bringing back memories of the West Ham Way days with something of a vengeance.
There remains time for several players to make a claim but as things stand there seems no way that either Seb Haller or Pablo Fornals will not be included along with the stand out pre-season performer so far – Jack Wilshere.
The left back position is something of a puzzle where I see Aaron Cresswell missing out completely with Arthur Masuaku probably getting the shout although impressive youngster Ben Johnson cannot be ruled out.
I can find no role for either Chicharito of Antonio apart from the bench and see the boss adopting a 4-1-3-1-1 formation.
On what we’ve seen and know of the new signings so far here’s how I see it – and we would welcome your teams!
Fabianski; Fredericks, Diop, Balbuena, Masuaku or Johnson; Rice; Wilshere, Fornals, Anderson; Lanzini; Haller
Bench: Roberto, Ogbonna, Zaba, Noble Snodgrass, Antonio Yarmolenko
Should I have got it right in leaving Nobes out it leaves the team without captain and my choice would be either Fabianski or Balbuena.
I think you got it bang on
That would be my guess, too, Hugh. I do wonder about leaving Noble out, though. The team plays better when he’s on the pitch. But Wilshere-Rice-Fornals is hard to argue with.
Think Noble will start.
Either Fornals or Lanzini on bench.
Wow… this to me looks like a top six side
Can’t disagree with that Hugh but I would bet he will put Nobel and Snodgrass on to get us back in the game
Think it’s close but for me it will be
Fab, fred, diop balbuena and masuaku.
Noble and rice holding.
Yarmolenko fornals Anderson.
Haller up top.
Lanzini looks a pale shadow of his former self, give him plenty of game time before 10th Aug and then maybe start him, if not Nobes or Snodgrass but Masauku still scares the —— out of me when he gets the ball in our half
Lanzini looks a pale shadow of his former self, give him plenty of game time before 10th Aug and then maybe start him, if not Nobes or Snodgrass but Masauku still scares me when he gets the ball in our half
Can’t disagree with your selection, Hugh. We have got a good looking squad, but the weak link is the defence. IF we can improve that aspect, we have a chance of top six.
Noble for Wilshere and Antonio for Lanzini on the right. I think Fornals has been bought as an upgrade to Lanzini. Into his last year of contract we may be seeing the last of Manu.
Top six? Not with that defence. I guess the full backs won’t be upgraded until next summer..
Would rather play Johnson than Arthur, he knows how to defend.