By CandH’s top blogger Allen Cummings
When football kick-off again on Wednesday, it will be a very different spectacle to the game we left behind way back in March. The most obvious difference of course will be those empty stadiums – but ‘socially distanced’ along the front rows we will see what could turn out to be the most ‘significant’ difference…the match substitutes.
Because of the concerns over players’ fitness after such a long lay-off, the rules have been changed to allow the naming of NINE substitutes instead of the previous seven – with no fewer than FIVE eligible to come on for each team at any time during the game. The fourth official, with his board, could turn out to be one of the busiest people in the stadium.
Lanzini – Still a massive talent we wait to show his best
It’s clear the quality of substitutes any team has available to call on will be more crucial than ever before. Suddenly from Wednesday it will be a 16 man game, and clubs’ destinies could be affected as much by the players on the bench as those in the starting 11.
Clearly it’s a rule change that will benefit the bigger clubs – those with the greater strength in depth. If you are fortunate enough to have millions of pounds worth of players sitting on your bench ready and waiting to come on, chances are those ‘quality’ fresh legs are going to be a huge advantage.
So how do West Ham measure up in the substitute stakes? Have we got the strength in depth to see us to safety?
Given what appears to be our favoured starting 11, at least with the fans: Fabianski; Fredericks, Diop, Ogbonna, Cresswell; Bowen, Rice, Soucek, Fornals; Antonio, Haller – what does that leave us waiting in the wings ready to fill those nine vacant seats?
Snoddy never lets anyone down
Darren Randolph of course. Fabian Balbuena would fill seat number two, with Oggy hopefully being fit. Arthur Masuaku – but used only in a real emergency for me. In midfield David Moyes will no doubt be looking to Manuel Lanzini – still a massive talent, if only he can find the key to unlock it again.
Robert Snodgrass never lets anyone down – whether starting the game or coming on. Mark Noble could find himself having to wait to play his part in the proceedings – and definitely won’t be found wanting when called upon. Jack Wilshere is said to be fit and if so would be there in the front row.
The attacking options are likely to be Andriy Yarmolenko – a potential match-winner on his day – and Felipe Anderson. Some debate yet as to whether he might start for Moyes, if not he’s certainly capable of bringing genuine quality to the party when coming on. That leaves the likes of Ajeti, Johnson and possibly Ngakia clicking their heels.
It’s fair to say several of those mentioned have had their problems and issues this season. But I believe compared to some of our direct rivals down at the bottom, they represent a decent spread of quality. It may be that if we are to survive this nightmare season an unlikely hero or two will emerge!