Whispers

“Go with Sakho and Valencia Sam – sorry Andy!”

|

leroylogoI hope Sam Allardyce plays his very best team tomorrow against Swansea and that means teaming Enner Valencia and Diafra Sakho together up front as we go back to the system that brought all that early success.

I understand that we have a fully fit squad and that’s great news as we look to get back into the routine that won us all those early games with such a swagger

We want to see the diamond back in place and Stewart Downing playing in the role that saw him perform well enough to join the international squad.

Andy Carroll is a top player but there’s no two ways about it, Valencia and Sakho have been the main men and that’s where we need to get back to fast.

If Sakho is fit for the squad then he’s fit for selection and Sam should play him. No messing.

Swansea play with a front three. it doesn’t vary so we should see Alex Song, Mark Noble and Cheik Kouyate dealing with Bony and Dyer and Montero across the middle.

This is a game we really want to win and take our tally to 27. Swansea are a good side but they are very beatable and if Sam picks the team that I’m looking for I believe we will win it.

We don’t want to be giving possession back to Swansea too much because that team can play. If we are at our best though we have the pace and power to lift the points and head towards the Christmas programme with real confidence.

It’s important that we put on the style again tomorrow after the attritional battles against Villa, Everton, Newcastle and West Brom. The fans have been fed some fantastic football early on this season and we need to get back there.

Newcastle showed this afternoon just what a good side they are by beating Chelsea and that puts our victory over the Magpies into a very good perspective.

Leroy will be on BBC 2 this evening at 6pm when Manish Bahsin introduces highlights of the FA Cup Round Two matches.

Share this article

Hugh Southon is a lifelong Iron and the founding editor of ClaretandHugh. He is a national newspaper journalist of many years experience and was Bobby Moore's 'ghost' writer during the great man's lifetime. He describes ClaretandHugh as "the Hammers daily newspaper!"

Follow on Twitter @hughsouthon

0 comments

  • Harvey says:

    If we win and therefore have 27 points it will guarantee us fourth place as Man U (25 points) and Southampton (26 points) are playing each other on Monday.

  • HammerJeff says:

    We simply HAVE to play our best team! But methinks Sakho if fit will be on the bench! Gotta win this so the lad and me can rub it in the Jack faces – we live there!

    Cmon you irons – this is like a cup final for me n him! And snuff out Bony n Gilfi! 🙂

  • philtheiron says:

    While I can see where you are coming from there is no need to rush back Sakho just because it is a big game and another three points would be most welcome.

    We have enough firepower to beat the taffs and Sakho will do enough damage from the bench.
    Having said that, if noble and song are fit they must play! Our strongest midfield is vital to nullify bony and co!
    The solid base our back 5 and midfield create(song Kauyate noble and downing) give us the platform to play our attacking football.
    It also allows us to be patient start with AC and Valencia and then utilise our power and pace from the bench if required.

    West Ham to win 2-0! COYI!

  • WhuG says:

    Sam does not rush players back so I expect Sakho to start from the bench along with Nobes. I think he will make an exception with Song because he is sorely missed. I’m not making team predictions no more as it’s far too hard just remembering who we have available!

    With Sunderland and. Leiceister to follow, ahead of the Gooners and Chelsea, this really is a big game for us.

  • bubs says:

    Yes it’s great to have Sakho back but he needs a run first plus Andy wants this one after last seasons anticks, he worked so hard in the last 2 games up front by his self and I think Valencia will blend well also downing playing just behind both fo them might bring back his best form and what a bench we could have Sakho,Zarate,Nolan,Collins,Jarvisand Demel what most clubs would give foe that COYI!

  • HammerJeff says:

    Happy days! If I don’t post this week its co’s ive been lynched!

  • rikfuller says:

    wrong!
    BFS is getting most calls right and this was no different. Changing Sakho for Valencia made a big difference and we now have our front two. I think they will become a great partnership given time. Not sure what that means for Valencia though

Comments are closed.