David Moyes will use a combination of Nikola Vlasic, Jarrod Bowen and Yarmolenko for cover when Michail Antonio is not available like next weekend.
Antonio picked up a second yellow card for a reckless late challenge and will now face a one-match ban against Manchester United.
Last week the manager explained “I am hoping that we have got somebody in Nikola Vlasic someone who can play several roles, as we had with Jesse [Lingard] last year and I felt that was probably the better way to go at the moment. We have Jarrod, we have Yarmolenko, maybe Nico if he is called upon.”
The manager explained it would have been hard to bring in a quality striker to sit on the bench waiting for opportunities when Mikey wasn’t available so he decided to get goals from other positions as he did with Lingard and the end of last season.
Lingard contributed nine goals and four assists from sixteen appearances and he will be hoping that Vlasic could make a similar contribution if called upon.
We will have not long to way to see Moyes plan B in action as the Hammers face Manchester United on Sunday afternoon at the London Stadium
We are still unbeaten and a series of other results + ours has left us just two points behind the league leaders . All to play for . Maybe should have taken Antonio off after first yellow but a difficult call to make . Put Ronaldo in Ball & Chain and we should be ok . 🤦Anyway it gives Antonio a chance to recover and fitten up after the crazy international shcedule . Probably shouldn’t play on Thursday . Anyway have have fun you traveling fans . Been to Zagreb , was there during the civil war for three months . Lovely little City and great people . Great sea food , but unfortunately it was mainly chicken on the menu . Rationing .
COYHAMMERS
I’m just glad he’ll be available on Thursday- it won’t be a walk in the park.