Is this the starting X1 for opening day?

It maybe very early days – and as is widely recognised  there’s a lot of improvement required – but a likely first X1 for the match against City may be starting to shape up.

The arrival of the two new boys fixes two places whilst one of two others appear to carry the the ‘taken’ sign.

Most will be a tad concerned that we have fewer decent strong defensive options than may be desirable against Pep Guardiola’s outfit.

But whether it fits your criteria or not, Pelle is an attack minded guy who is bringing back memories of the West Ham Way days with something of a vengeance.

There remains time for several players to make a claim but as things stand there seems no way that either Seb Haller or Pablo Fornals will not be included along with the stand out pre-season performer so far – Jack Wilshere.

The left back position is something of a puzzle where I see Aaron Cresswell missing out completely with Arthur Masuaku probably getting the shout although impressive youngster Ben Johnson cannot be ruled out.

I can find no role for either Chicharito of Antonio apart from the bench and see the boss adopting a 4-1-3-1-1 formation.

On what we’ve seen and know of the new signings so far here’s how I see it – and we would welcome your teams!

Fabianski; Fredericks, Diop, Balbuena, Masuaku or Johnson; Rice; Wilshere, Fornals, Anderson; Lanzini; Haller

Bench: Roberto, Ogbonna, Zaba, Noble Snodgrass, Antonio Yarmolenko

Should I have got it right in leaving Nobes out it leaves the team without  captain and my choice would be either Fabianski or Balbuena.