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Superb Irons double act presents real selection dilemma

If there was an award for the most exciting game of the season last night’s would surely have won it by a mile or more.

This was a West Ham performance straight out of the heady days of the West Ham Way days with every player a star of the show.

For me the highlight was the outstanding performance of Manu Lanzini after many of us had written him off after months of  indifference.

I gave him a seven in  my rating but that was too low on reflection as he was clearly in the eight to nine region.

Said Benrahma too was outstanding and the return of Mikey Antonio showed so graphically what we are missing – if only he could stay fit!

There wasn’t a bad display on the pitch and with the exception of Declan it makes you wonder just what the manager will do on team selection for the weekend.

Hopefully Declan will return but who does Moysie bench for another key European qualifying game.

Oggy will presumably replace Diop and Declan will come in automatically of course withy presumably Benrahma or Lanzini having to make way.

It’s amazing that with such a small squad we are in this position but the boss has one heck of a job on his hands.

 

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

5 comments on “Superb Irons double act presents real selection dilemma

  1. As Manu was playing in Dec’s position I can’t see any other player to swap him with. The defence will be tested greater by Everton and we’ll need that insurance in front of them. Manu surprised me last night though; has Moyes just handed him a lifeline with a brand new position or is he still in his West Ham swan song?

    • Manu played in a similar position for Bilic 15/16 season for a few games and whenever Payet was injured, plays the deep laying cm role with aplomb,
      he could even play in a three man midfield with Dec and the potato salad king 👑 , this formation allows Soucek to wreak havoc in the opposition box with Manu and Dec screening our central defence, plus giving us an out ball in transition a and when required. For the next game put Fornals on the bench against Toffees and split the minutes with Benny, he’s more technically gifted than Pablo, who I do admire for his non stop running.
      Lingard starts with Antonio, split the minutes with Bowen.
      For me this gives us a better balance and higher energy levels off the bench if we’re chasing the game, or closing it down if leading.
      Play 4-3–1-2, Diop to sit this one out if Ogbonna is fit alongside Dawson,Coufal and Cresswell on either flank, Fabianski in goal.

  2. Nice problem to have and brings added pressure on David Moyes to get it right, if his choice doesn’t work out he will probably get a load of flack for not taking the other option ! Who’d be a manager eh ! But he certainly got it right against Burnley and it was good to see the team pushing for more goals after going in front instead of playing deeper and deeper trying to hang on. A few nervy moments but this was a good Burnley side who never give in and a well deserved win.

  3. After we scored we really turned it on, and with that many quality attacking players on the pitch I’m glad they all looked good and kept the ball very well.

    I would start the same team v Everton, then look to bring rice on later, ease him back in.

  4. When was the last time Soucek had a rest? He is a great player who is routinely fouled by the league’s lesser lights. Have him on the bench for a change?
    Benrahma finally turned up but can he impress against a better team?
    Oggy on for Diop, Soucek or Rice rested. Lanzini given another chance to show against a top 10 squad. Benrahma same but on a short leash.

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