We now have so many options available, working out the Hammers first team is a little tricky – or is it?With nine new signings nobody will dispute that this was – as David Gold claimed – “one of the best transfer windows in our history.
But for all the hype and hulabaloo the simple fact is we haven’t seen enough of any of the new arrivals – Kouyate excepted and Song’s pedigree accepted – to know how well they are going to hack it.
One thing that looks apparent however is that Kevin Nolan may well have reached his shelf life given the number of midfielders who are now battling for a place in the team.
With absolutely everybody fit we have 12 of them but in reality nine will battle for the available places: Nolan, Matt Jarvis, Stewart Downing, Cheikhou Kouyate, Ravel Morrison, Mark Noble, Morgan Amalfitano, Diego Poyet and Alex Song.
Along the way Matthias Fanimo, Sebastian Lletget and Blair Turgott will be looking for a sniff although our exit from the Capital One Cup has made that infinitely more difficult for them.
We are very thin at the back so the defence – assuming they are all fit -virtually picks itself whilst up front we have Sakho, Valencia, Zarate and on his return Carroll to accommodate.
As things stand right now here’s how we see the team for Hull given reports that both Jenkinson and the strikers are set to be fit.
Formation: 4-1-4-1
Adrian
Jenkinson, Reid, Tomkins, Cresswell
Song
Downing Noble Kouyate Zarate
Valencia
Bench Jaaskalanen, Collins, Burke, Amalfitano, Poyet , Sakho, Jarvis
Surely they won’t play 3 defensive midfielders. I would like to think they would start Jarvis, have Zarate behind Valencia. And give song the second half for either kouyate or noble.
Think tyou’ll find at the cost Song will expect and get the shirt when fit
Yeah I don’t doubt that. But who is going to be dropped to the bench? Noble or kouyate? I wouldn’t like to make that decision. I can see kouyate needed in defence for most of the season due to the shortage. I hope not cause he looks promising.
Adrian
Jenkinson. Read. Tomkins. Cresswll
Song. Kouyate
Downing. Jarvis or zarate
Valencia. Sakho or Carroll
Subs ,Morrison,Poyet,Burke,zarate or Jarvis,Jasskalanen
2 up front 4me
Whatever way you look at it if you are going to play four at the back then that back four and keeper pick themselves!
Also given that Noble will captain the side whilst Nolan is injured then the midfield three of noble, Kauyate and song pretty much pick themselves as well!
That leaves a further three places up for grabs. And one of them will go to Valencia when match fit..