Sebastien Haller is replacing Felipe Anderson who is ill this weekend with stomach problems, vomiting and fever according to Manuel Pellegrini.
That is the only change in the West Ham team that were defeated by Arsenal on Monday.
Starting XI: David Martin, Ryan Fredericks, Angelo Ogbonna, Fabian Balbuena, Aaron Cresswell, Declan Rice, Mark Noble, Robert Snodgrass, Pablo Fornals Michail Antonio and Sebastien Haller
The bench is Roberto, Pablo Zabaleta, Issa Diop, Arthur Masuaku, Carlos Sanchez, Yarmolenko and Albian Ajeti
Manuel Pellegrini has given up way on his 4-2-3-1 formation for this game to go two up front with Haller and Antonio with Fornals and Snodgrass out wide in a 4-4-2 formation that supporters’ have been craving for some time.
When the team does line up in that formation at the 5.30 pm kick-off it will be Pellegrini’s most drastic change of tactics since he joined the Hammers.
This is a must-win game for the 67-year-old Chilean and he seems to be throwing everything at it in his last roll of the dice!
we have not been craving for this line up. Have you looked at our midfield 4, Rice, Nobles, Snodgrass and Fornals. No pace and absolutely no creativity. Btw Pellegrini had no intention of playing two up until Anderson’s injury.
Those old enough might remember the 1986 World Cup. The manager wasn’t picking Lineker & England were struggling. An injury. Lineker comes in & cant stop scoring.
But having just watched Watford under Pearson match Liverpool I can’t help thinking it is to late to turn things round with an enforced tactical setup. If the owners had turned to him a few weeks ago…if only…if only..
On the positive side Pelle has finally changed the formation. 2 upfront can only benefit Haller, but I’m afraid it is too little too late. The change was basically forced upon Pelle due to Anderson’s knock in training, so any improvement today can hardly be attributed to the manager. Stumbling into success. I only pray we don’t draw, Bournemouth wins and Norwich draws, what a dumster fire.
Let’s see when the game starts he will probably put Antonio wide with Snodgrass Rice Noble in the middle. If the chairmen want to be bold sack him at half time if we are losing.
Can we please just get on with the game please. The sacking thing is now tedious until after this 90 minutes. Supoort your team