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Pellegrini’s decisions for Spurs match + our team

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Time for a Diop return?

Manuel Pellegrini – like all of us – will be desperate to set the end of season run-in on fire with a massive ‘bragging rights’ win over Spurs at the weekend.

And he has some big decisions to make against the Champions League-bound semi finals north Londoners as we bid to pull off the shock of the day.

Tony Gale made a big case against Fabian Balbuena’s error for Jamie Vardy’s goal against Leicester but overall the Paraguayan had a terrific 90 minutes and has to be retained at the centre of defence.

And it will also be interesting to see if Issa Diop returns to the team after being rested following the Everton defeat at the end of March.

There may be a case too for bringing in Aaron Cresswell should he be fully fit given Spurs attacking prowess and playing him behind Arthur on the left hand side.

There are some difficult choices to be made up front too wit Arnie not truly firing at this stage and with Chicharito recovered from an ear problem.

Given Cresswell’s fitness here is our team: Fabianski; Zaba, Diop, Balbuena, Cresswell; Rice; Antonio, Noble, Anderson, Masuaku; Arnautovic.

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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

2 comments

  • Goat says:

    Why are you still promoting Masuaku, he’s had a couple of ok games.
    He’s not the answer Holland or Diangana should be playing for the future as much as now.

  • West Ham Fan No 32 says:

    I saw Gales comments and thought they were rich also Hugh, Vardy has been doing that to defenders ever since we have seen him, it is the sign of a great striker that for a split second the defender is on his heels adjusting to the backward movement of Vardy while Vardy then shoots for ward to nick half a yard in front of the defender, Shearer used to do it, Wright, Owen etc its just great striking play virtually indefensible unless you aren’t aware of his first movement, Not sure Masuaku will play in midfield more likely Obiang or maybe Wilshere other than that I think its the best team we can field.

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