Lucas Paqueta may need to be dropped against Brentford if the Hammers are to get all three points.
The Brazil international impressed during his time with the Selecao at the World Cup. 
But he has thus far struggled to make a real impact in the Premier League .
He has provided two assists in nine games but looked a fish out of water against Arsenal on Boxing Day, as he continually struggled to make an impression in the final third.
Pablo Fornals has struggled for minutes, by comparison, but he scored West Ham’s first goal of the season against Aston Villa, and is perhaps better adjusted to the pace and intensity of the Premier League.
He also all but added a goal in the 3-1 defeat at Arsenal with a fine shot which was brilliantly saved.
Against Brentford, a team that can dominate possession and look to make things happen with Ivan Toney up front, a player with the Spaniard’s industry may be called for.
Paqueta remains an option off the bench, particularly against a set of tired defenders.
David Moyes needs a win desperately; bringing Fornals back in may be the way forward.
It’s soucek that needs dropping from midfield, not Paqueta. Been absolutely obvious for months that Downes Paqueta Rice is our strongest midfield 3. Fornals and Lanzini pushing them hard. Soucek has been off the pace for nearly half a year.
How many league wins and points in whole of 2022? How much money spent in the summer? Why are there poor results? Bad luck? Benrahma playing badly? Poor man management? When you have a squad there should be tactical flexibility. There is no demonstration to try new tactics despite bad results. If 2022 results occurred over a season we would not only be relegated but finished bottom of the league. Shankly, Clough, Ferguson went through bad patches but they did something similar: change tactics and bring in new players. AND INSPIRE THEIR PLAYERS TO REACH HEIGHTS THEY MAY NEVER HAVE REACHED. This man has a loyalty to a small group of players and that is it. Against Arsenal Lanzini supporting the striker would have been better. If we lose at home or get an unconvincing draw then it would interesting to see what happens next. His refusal to play 4:3:3 against a team that starts with a packed midfield against our two would be interesting. People blame Souckek but teams pack midfield with 3,4 players against our two and we get over-powered.
Downes is a poor clone of Rice. I dont think anyone is blaming Soucek but more so Moyes. He should have dropped Soucek months ago and as a result has impacted the team performances and squad morale. Moyes is 100% to blame not Soucek. The same for Bowen he plays one decent game in 10. Moyes has completely lost the squad and that there is no doubt and he has only himself to blame. The midfield 3 has to be Rice, Fornals and Paqueta, 3 players who work extremely hard and are gifted footballers. Lanzini in behind Benrahma and Scamacca. The goals will start flowing. If we draw or lose on Friday if everything is right Moyes will be sacked before the cup game. For me irrespective even if we win he should be sacked. The board have to have a good manager lined up, I like the croatia manager, Burnley manager or even the celtic manager. If I had to choose it wud be the Burnley manager fresh ideas etc..
Play Paqueta in a midfield three with Rice and Downes either side.
Paqueta is probably the worst signing ever since Marco Boogers !!!!!!!!!!!!
Rest Soucek, Coufal and Paqueta. Soucek I’d being overrun in midfield as we line up, he has stamina but not speed and agility.
Kehrer is a calamity player. For Brentford, I say back three Daws, Oggy and Aguerd if fit. If not, Cress and play Emerson wback. Play Ashby wback if available, or Johnson. We must fill midfield in transition, so wbacks plus Rice, Fornals, Bowen, Benrahma, Antonio. Use subs properly. Downes, Lanzini and Paqueta also young Mubama.
I agree that Soucek has been poor for quite some time but that is purely down to the archaic man management style of Dinosaur Dave In trying to accommodate Dec as an attacking midfielder which he is most certainly not…. Paqueta is the biggest waste of £50 mil that a club like West Ham can Ill afford…… The money we have lost on transfer deals since Dinosaur Dave has been in charge is truly shocking & makes me fear for the future of the club added to that the way the youngsters are leaving because they know they have not got a chance whilst the imbecile Moye’s is in charge……Get Rid
Of Moye’s Now Before he kills the club I love……
Dyche instead of Moyes, Really! It would be spot the difference!