As West Ham’s walking wounded gradually get themselves fit again, Graham Potter faces selection choices again after a pretty poor January.
Having had to ‘make do and mend’ across the back line with the warhorses Coufal and Cresswell being called into action as emergency centre-backs, Graham Potter has something of a dilemma now.
Faced with the prospect of all three of his centre backs being fit and available for selection, the Hammers’ head coach has to choose his set-up strategy and whether to play two, or three at the back: If so, does he risk throwing Jean-Clair Todibo back on for a full 90 minutes after his long break.
Todibo last started against Manchester City on 4th January- six weeks ago.
Potter may well opt for the three at the back set-up to combat Arsenal’s power from set pieces but – is Todibo ready for a full 90 minutes? I’d think not. The standard.co.uk agrees, suggesting Potter will pick Mavropanos alongside Kilman.
Jean-Clair Todibo has appeared fragile this season, albeit some of which were the diplomatic Lopetegui ‘little knocks’ that the former coach used to justify leaving out players whom he’d recently fallen out with. Potter will in all likelihood, but worryingly, turn to centre back Konstantinos Mavropanos, the former Arsenal player to try and combat the Gunners’ set piece threat. Which, with Mavropanos’ worrying error-strewn performances this season, doesn’t bode well. Aaron Cresswell could yet feature if Potter decides to opt for the three centre backs, leaving Todibo on the bench this week.
Hope Potter realises after Brentford that Dino is not good enough to play in a back 4. If Todibo is not fit then I would like to see Casey given a chance in a back 3. We need to get some more energy in the team so Scarles must start as should Irving in my opinion. Given the injuries that we have and Mo’s lack of form then why not play Bowen close to Ferguson anď put 3 in midfield.