Diop could face the axe
Manuel Pellegrini’s team selection will be particularly interesting this weekend after a midweek game which probably provided more questions than answers.
They are all made by now of course but for those of us sitting on the sidelines some fascinating scenarios were thrown up by the Newport game.
In normal circumstances one would wonder whether Jack Wilshere had done enough to justify inclusion and if so where, because it’s very difficult to see how Mark Noble could be replaced after an impressive first game of the season against Watford.
Michail Antonio’s absence leaves a gaping hole on the substitute’s bench where the guy has come on in the last two games to make an enormous difference.
Looks ready for a PL return
The return of Zaba was impressive for me and the old boy gave us more going forward than we have had so far from the right back position this season.
He may be in the last year of his Premier League career but for me he’s still the best full back at the club.
The other two question marks I have are over Issa Diop and Pablo Fornals with the central defender having his worst game for a long time in Wales, and in trying to decide whether the young Spaniard is ready to complete 90 minutes.
I’d go with Zaba at right back for sure but the midfield conundrum between Wilshere and Fornals is a tough one to call other than knowing how big a fan the manager is of Jack.
Is Fornals ready for 90 minutes ?
Yarmolenko looks the player most likely to be able to emulate Antonio’s contribution but clearly not to the same extent whilst the central defensive position is a head scratcher.
However, given the manager’s past record with seemingly out of touch players it seems possible that Diop may be on the bench with Balbuena and Ogbonna making up the central defensive pairing.
If that were to turn out to be the case it would be our third switch at central defence in four Premier League games reflecting all the issues we have at the back – not good!
Personally, however, I’d restore the No 1 partnership of Diop and Balbuena and keep everything crossed despite the young Frenchman not yet showing his best this term.
Beyond all that expect Arthur Masuaku to return.
Here’s our team: Fabianski; Zaba, Diop, Balbuena, Masuaku; Rice, Noble; Fornals, Anderson, Lanzini, Haller. Bench: Roberto, Fredericks, Ogbonna, Cresswell, Yarmolenko, Wilshere, Ajeti.
I’d agree with that lineup with the exception of Zaba. He’s looking his age on the pitch nowadays and we need to keep the faith with Fredericks who hasnt done a lot wrong so far this season.
Fredericks has done a lot wrong in my opinion. He’s in the team for his attacking threat, namely his pace. But that counts for nothing if he can’t create anything with it. His crossing has been poor. Zabaleta seems to create more despite his lack of pace because his link up play is better. Personally I think playing Zaba with Anderson ahead of him would be a good move because despite what some say, I think Anderson works really hard getting back and helping out the fullback. Because we aren’t so weak at right back, Anderson may have less to do which would allow him to stay up more and his pace would balance out Zabaleta’s weakness.
I am happy with that line up. Fredericks is not good enough. Great pace but his end product is terrible and he basically cannot defend. I would say however that Fornals is not a wide player. I was hoping we would sign another wide player with pace over the summer which has been proved correct with the injury to Antonio, a huge loss as we were struggling first half with Yarmo in the team. I personally would change to a 3-5-2 system now that Antonio is injured and I would play the following team. Zaba, Balbuena, Rice, Diop, Arthur, Noble, Lanzini, Anderson, Haller, Hernandez. I would have Johnson on the bench ahead of both Fredericks and Creswell and I would include Snodgrass in the 18 as Johnson can cover both right full and left full.
I cant argue much with the line-up but would have Snoddy on the bench rather than one of the defenders – I dont think Yarmalenko has 90 minutes in him yet
I would like to try out Wilshire in Fornals position for the first 45. See how he fares higher up the pitch and on a high with his 1st West Ham goal. Give him a try and if it doesnt work out then let Fornals do second half; both players unlikely for full 90 now anyway.
Otherwise I completely agree with the team
I agree with you Hugh, Zaba gives the defence stability across three positions, lb is still a doubt, against a team who want to get in behind he leaves them the left side rather than both wings to attack, this should increase the likelihood of a clean sheet by reducing the attacking options of Norwich. Probably though it will be Fredericks as he won’t want Zaba to play two games in a week ?
Wouldn’t it be better to start with 11 players?
Ooops made a fool of myself and forgot Fab! Please cancel?