Slaven Bilic has to decide on whether he sticks with Andre Ayew as his starting option for the Leicester City clash tomorrow (Sat) or bring back from suspension Pedro Obiang into the starting line up.
Ayew grabbed the vital opening goal against Swansea City last weekend – a simple tap in – but showed signs that he may be recapturing some form.
The manager explained afterwards that he wanted to give him game time as the club’s record signing at £20 million bids to find his real form.
But Obiang has been one of the club’s strongest players this season – performing very well indeed during the difficult games preceding the current run against Liverpool, Burnley and Hull – where he was ruled out of the Swansea game via a yellow card.
Word is that he will recapture the starting role with Ayew starting on the bench. Havard Nortveidt is likely to retain his place in a back four.
But it’s hard to second guess Bilic who is always capable of springing a surprise or two.
Obiang has been our best player all season and must start. The option is, if he really wants to give Ayew game time, rest Nobes and play both Obiang and Ayew.
The whole world knows this but you can bet your life it wont happen.
I think the big question is whether we play a back 4 or back 3/5. If Bilic trusts Nordveit at RB, we can play 433, and put Kouyate into midfield with Obiang and Lanzini. That is what I would like to see happen, with Noble and Ayew on the bench.
We should also keep in mind that we have ManU on Monday – maybe give Antonio a rest and let Ayew have some “game time”?
Then again, can Nordveit be trusted at RB? I’m not sure about that..
There’s also Lanzini to consider. So then it’ll be five from eight……. Payet, Antonio, Lanzini, Ayew, Feghouli, Noble, Obiang and Kouyate. A nice problem.
Slaven could chose a defensive three with Kouyate back there, and Cresswell deployed as a wing back, which is my choice……….if only I had a say.
if the question is does Ayew play it is a no brainer. He has to play. He is off to Africa for the best part of a month so with a congested run of fixtures why would we risk other players of similar standard when we need them for January?
Noble should be dropped that is the no brainer Ayew should play in the number 10 role, Lanzini can be the option from the bench.
No 32 I salute you . Of course it is a no brainer . What amazes me is that there is a discussion about it. Obiang must play in place of Noble who contributes absolutely nothing to the team . I would not even have him on the bench . Fresh legs and something for the opposition to think about are what is required .
So Captain Slow is still untouchable after his mesmerising season of sidewise and backwards passing? Oh silly me he’s one of our own and West Ham through and through! It doesn’t matter that his legs have gone and offers next to nothing anymore he’s our Captain fantastic 🙂
We have to use the whole squad intelligently, with the AFCON coming next week. So play the same team as last week and bring in our rested players for a very difficult and testing 2 months.
Stop grizzeling about Noble; he is a vital member of the squad, and we need everyone. Some people would rather lose than have Noble in the team.
WAHAHAHA!! Slow-mo?… vital?..hahaha!!!
Before Obiang came aboard, Cpt Terrible’s ship was leaking goals and going down fast. Obiang has steadied it and provided a platform upon which we can climb back up the log.
Now that is vital, and it rankles me that Hugh has to be forced to ask the question.
Noble vital Fishes? hahahahaha!!!