Seb Haller and Arthur Masuaku are both missing from the squad which takes on Chelsea at the London Stadium tomorrow evening (Wed).
David Moyes indicated in his presser that he was unsure whether they would be ready to play a part in the third game of West Ham’s renewed season.
But we have discovered in the last couple of hours that neither are ready although Oggy has been included and could be back at the centre of defence, presumably with Issa Diop.
Earlier at his lunchtime presser the manager had said: “Sebastien Haller and Angelo Ogbonna are getting closer. They’ve both been out on the grass and they’ve both been joining in training with bits. We’re hopeful that we can get them around the team but I’m not sure if they’re exactly ready yet. But they’re getting closer.”
And of Masuaku he said: “We’ve got Arthur Masuaku who we’re also trying to get back. He rolled his ankle just a couple of days before the restart. He’s on the grass as well and he has done a bit with the younger players as well, so that gets him closer. Whether they’ll all be okay for tomorrow night, I’m not quite sure.”
Neither he or Haller willl be on the bench and with Robert Snodgrass looking a longer term absentee it looks likely, if Moyes sticks to form, that a team very similar to the one that was beaten in the first games against Wolves and Spurs.
It’s down to Moyes to prove he can manage a depleted squad.Same players and same set up and I can only see the same outcome as the first 2 games.Needs to shuffle the pack and be brave surely.
I’d be tempted to play 3 at the back if Ogbonna is fit.
Balbuena had a couple of dodgy games before the restart but he looked back to his normal solid self against Spurs.
When I say 3 at the back, I don’t mean we should park the bus, (although a cricket score loss against Chelsea would be disastrous from a goal difference perspective.)
In a 3-4-3 formation, the wingbacks could dig in, allowing Souček and Rice to get up the pitch, a bit closer to the front 3.
I’m not normally a big fan of 3 at the back but we’ve been woeful during restart- a new formation could hardly be any worse!
So my team to snatch a season-defining 0-1 win against the old enemy:
Fab
Balbuena – Diop – Ogbonna
Fredericks – Rice – Souček- Masuaku
Bowen – Antonio – Fornals