Oggy looks set to replace Balbuena
Manuel Pellegrini continues to struggle with a lengthy and seemingly growing injury crisis as the Hammers arrive in Southampton.
Fabian Balbuena looks a definite non starter but there’s a chance that Chicharito will be okay and a remote possibility that Marko Arnautovic could get some time.
Angelo Ogbonna looked in very good nick against Watford and will provide adequate cover for the Paraguayan central defender alongside Issa Diop.
The issues up front seem to imply that Michail Antonio will need to play a prominent role meaning that Pablo Zabaleta will need to continue at right back despite the boss admitting he can’t play throughout December and January without a rest.
It seems likely that Arthur Masuaku will continue at left back given the manager’s attacking game philosophy with the midfield probably unchanged.
The Saints are on the middle of a new manager bounce having won their last two games but with the Hammers looking a more confident side away from home I reckon 5/2 against the Hammers to win is a decent bet
Manuel Pellegrini has made it clear this is a recovery mission after Saturday’s defeat saying on www.whufc.com: “We know that we have to play a good game against a team who have won their last two, but we will try to recover the points we lost at home to try to add three more.”
“We need to play a lot of games during December – seven games and then six more in January. Unfortunately for us we have eight players who don’t have the option to return soon. Maybe for Marko Arnautovic, I don’t know about Southampton, but he could be back soon.
“We need to see about the two players who went off the pitch on Saturday, Chicharito and Fabian.
“Javier had a kick in his back during the last week and he couldn’t work for all of it and he felt the same problem on Saturday, maybe with some strain in his hamstring.
“If Fabian cannot play, I think Angelo Ogbonna has demonstrated that he is a very good centre back. He is working hard, so he will have his opportunity and I trust in him a lot.
“The injuries are a big problem, but we need to trust the squad and try to make a good rotation for the players.
We need fresh legs and 5 in midfield to match Southampton
Obiang in for Noble and Diangana in for Hernandez.
We lost to Watford as lacked pace all around.
Zab should really rested too.
If Balbuena is not 100% do not risk him as I think we have a good replacement in Ogbanna. That would be the only change in the back 5 for me. Masuaka is not a good defender but he does offer a lot more than Cresswell. Cresswell is not a good defender either. My second change would come in midfield, without doubt its time to give Obiang some time ahead of Noble. Chicarito did not play well the last day so my third change would be up top with Antonio being partnered by Silva. Let this lad loose now. The clamour for Carroll to start is laughable – the club need to tell him he has no future at the club and to move on at Christmas. Hoping for a positive result today.
Hope Carroll starts and scores , if he does , what then ?