Leroy ready for a good Hammers result at Palace
The international break came at a good time for the Irons and has given all the gloom and doom a chance to disperse a bit – they can start tomorrow with a clean sheet.
The return of Aaron Cresswell will make a big difference from all sorts of points of view. It alow Arbeola to return to his natural position and will settle the central defenders who have quite possibly become unsettled by the constant chopping and changing at the back.
Palace are a team who have gone back to basics with speedy wingers wanting to get crosses into the box for big Benteke and we look in as good a shape to counter that.
Id go for Collins alongside Reid bcause I think James is battle hardned against the old fashioned centre forward type.
Cresswell is a very key player for us because he always finds an effective pass when he gets forward – something we have been seriously lacking this season.
I also think Palace will be atetmpting to come on to us given our lack of recent form and that will suit us better than a team that is sitting off – all our best results aslt season were achieved against teams that we could counter attack.
I think Slav should and will go for what he considers his best X1 tomorrow but without Carroll or Sakho I’d forget Zaza or Calleri and go with young Fletcher. That boy has had something about him every time he has appeared for us and is one I really like the look of.
He appears to have a good head on his shoulders and has been entirely unfazed by what has gone on around him so he’s my choice.
My line up would be: Adrian; Arbeola, Reid, Collins, Cresswell; Antonio, Noble, Kouyate, Lanzini, Payet and Fletcher.
I think a draw is the most likely result but wouldn’t be surprised if we nick a 1-0 although I must stress that the most important thing of all is a clean sheet.
COYI