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Pelle faces Wilshere v Rice conundrum

Jack Wilshere will be looking to defy his early season critics given the chance against Wolves at the London Stadium on Saturday.

The former Arsenal man has failed to make any impact for the Irons since arriving in the summer amid big write-ups from boss Manuel Pelligrini.

The manager – making it clear he was very much his ‘pick’ in the summer has even been moved to compare him with Italian Andre Pirlo claiming he has very much the same sort of attributes.

And it seems highly likely that he was left out of the clash against AFC Wimbledon to ensure there was no problem with his fitness for Saturday given his injury record.

Declan Rice also made a big claim for inclusion in the team with a fine performance in the Cup match and although he may miss out this weekend looks set to become Wilshere’s long term midfield challenger.

The manager now sees him very much as a midfielder rather than a central dfender where there is now sufficient options and in emergency Rive could be used in the back line.

 

About Hugh5outhon1895

Hugh Southon is a lifelong Iron and the founding editor of ClaretandHugh. He is a national newspaper journalist of many years experience and was Bobby Moore's 'ghost' writer during the great man's lifetime. He describes ClaretandHugh as "the Hammers daily newspaper!" Follow on Twitter @hughsouthon

7 comments on “Pelle faces Wilshere v Rice conundrum

  1. I personally feel rice is a centre half not a midfield player. He passed it well on Tuesday against Wimbledon and moved it well, however that’s a world away from the premier league. As shown against Liverpool this season. I think rice should be starting with Diop personally. He can bring it out from the back and start off attacks.

    • I also think he is more of a defender either RB or CB but if it only choice between him and Wilshere, I would choose Rice all day every day. Wilshere displays have been totally unacceptable and I fully expect him not to start this weekend. Personally I would play Obiang and Sanchez to allow us win more of the ball to attack Wolves. Wolves play 3 at the back so perhaps a switch to 3-5-2 might also be on the cards this weekend to play two up

      • I can’t see pellegrini dropping wilshere, he seems to like him a lot. I agree wilshere hasn’t done anything of note for me. Im not sure about obiang either, he can do good things but then go and give it away. I’d like a 3-5-2 but pellegrini doesn’t seem keen on the formation. A defeat Saturday and he might have to change it up.

  2. Totally agree. Rice should be playing cb and not mf. And by golly do we need a centre back who can stay composed, put head to ball and bring the ball out. Ogbonna and Diop have been awful so far.

  3. Seriously there is no comparison between Wilshire and Rice. Different type of player. Rice is defensive whereas Wilshire is creative. If you are going to put players up against each other you should be comparing Rice with Diop, or if he is going to be a midfielder then I would compare him to Obiang, Sanchez, Noble even rather than Wilshire.

  4. Have to say I thought Wilshere was one of the standout performers against Bournemouth (albeit the overall team performed erratically). He was poor against Arsenal but half expected him to struggle with that occasion.

  5. I agree Ridders. I think Wilshire hasn’t set the world alight but has still been one of our better performers in what has been a losing team so far. when you consider we got him on a free, he has to be the bargain of the century. He didn’t have much of a preseason either so I’m expecting him to get better as he gets his match fitness back.

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