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Slav facing three major decisions

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angry-bilic-624x447West Ham boss Slaven Bilic faces three big selection issues ahead of the EFL Quarter Final clash against Manchester United on Wednesday evening.

Heading them is the goalkeeping position with Adrian likely to return according to members of the backroom team. One source said: “Keepers need to be kept busy and it would be surprising if he didn’t play.

Darren Randolph had a great game at the weekend but the position has changed around and Adrian would expect to be involved on Wednesday evening.”

Winston Reid could return too at the expense of James Collins, who some held responsible for Ibrahimovic’s equaliser in Sunday’s League game  although with a huge match against Arsenal on Saturday evening at the London Stadium he could be saved for that.

Up front – with Sakho injured – several insiders believe this is the ideal game for Ashley Fletcher and with Andy Carroll expected back at the weekend it will be no surprise to see him given the nod over Zaza given no deal has yet been reached on his appearance clause as talks continue.

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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

9 comments

  • GW says:

    Don’t knock Nobes he’s got a 95% pass accuracy rate over 3 yards and without him in the team we wouldn’t be able to pass the ball backwards from midfield for no reason whatsoever 🙂

  • Roman says:

    I feel empathy for Noble but enough is enough.Time to give the younger players either Lanzini or Fernandes the midfield role.Yes Matte first it was Kevin ‘no legs’ and now it’s Captain Slow.

  • Carrerageorge says:

    He could play Ayew up front .

  • Eddie says:

    All i hope for is Fernandes in & Noble out for a run of games.I have always championed Noble until this season but fairs fair he has been totally ineffectual & looks like he is running through treacle compared to the other players on the pitch in midfield.
    As 32 says Lanzini in Nobes position & Fernandes in midfield.He looks a proper prospect in my humble opinion & gives us some extra legs in midfield which nobes is sadly lacking in.

  • mattefumi27 says:

    I’m with Master, the toughest problem to solve is Captain Slow’s role… should he compete against Bolt in the 100 metres or 200 metres? I’m more oriented towards the first one, Noble reaches his top speed in the first seconds… looool 😀

  • West Ham Fan No 32 says:

    Agree with Niall and Master on their comments, Reid will definitely return as will Adrian who is now our cup keeper and given his heroics at Everton last year lets hope an inspired choice, Noble is the only big decision for me and not just for this game for the rest of the season, I would play Lanzini in his position all day long and I would like to see Fernandes on the right side as the wingback, Antonio and Carroll can be options off the bench for this one with Ayew and Fletcher who can both pass the ball and hold it up as our 9 and 10 perfect result yesterday now e can kick on COYI !!!.

  • master says:

    Biggest decision he has is whether it’s ayew or fernandes that takes nobles place.

  • niall_mcdonald says:

    Our keepers are certainly kept busy…

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