Fascinating issues face boss for Palace clash

West Ham boss Manuel Pellegrini faces various fascinating choices as he decides on his team to confront Palace today (Saturday).

The injury to Marko Arnautovic has created what would have been a remarkable situation had we not become used to the manager’s enthusiasm to use potentially highly promising youngsters.

And the confirmation that Xande Silva could be blooded this afternoon has given real spice to a match which on paper could have been considered perhaps routine and a tad humdrum.

It’s a long way from the Ashley Fletcher days!

There’s also the manager’s midweek words to Andy Carroll that he needs to demonstrate he is worth a new deal whilst at the same time speaking highly of his summer buy Lucas Perez. We also have Grady Diangana in the squad.

At the back it’s likely that Fabian Balbuena will have recovered from his dead leg but if not Angelo Ogbonna did well enough to  be trusted as a replacement.

Then we need to look at the right back position where Michail Antonio revealed he felt himself coming back to his best or whether the near faultless performances of Zaba will see him return.

The season long chestnut of whether the boss goes for Arthur Masuaku or Aaron Creswell is another issue with which the boss will need to deal. Given the attacking nature the game demands we imagine he will plump for Arthur

Fascinating questions for a game which could see us win three on trot against an out of form team and this would be ours assuming Balbuena’s fitness.

Fabianski; Antonio, Balbuena, Diop, Masuaku; Rice, Noble, Snodgrass ; Anderson, Chicharito, Carroll.