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Three Irons out in the cold for Watford clash

Manuel Pellegrini has a wealth of options as he heads into the final game of the season looking for tenth place with a win over Watford.

And should Leicester beat Chelsea and the Irons hammer the Hornets we could of course finish the season in a very healthy ninth place.

ClaretandHugh has learned that the manager is so well off for faces that Aaron Cresswell will not be involved in the travelling squad and both Grady Diangana and Carlos Sanchez are also being ‘left at home.’

It means that against Cup Final-bound Watford,  the Hammers could be fielding their strongest team and bench of the campaign.

Declan Rice and  Felipe Anderson will almost definitely be in the starting line-up after missing  through illnss last weekend but such are the boss’ alternatives there will be no place for debuts from any of our youngsters as is sometimes the case on the final day.

And it will come as no surprise – given how he has been talking him up over recent days – were Jack Wilshere to get a start although deciding whom he should replace is a real problem.

It could be, should he decide to go that way,  that Manu Lanzini will be the victim as it must be very tricky to drop the captain who would appear to be the only other candidate.

Possible team: Fabianski; Fredericks, Balbuena, Diop, Masuaku; Rice, Noble, Antonio Wilshere, Anderson, Arnautovic.

 

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

9 comments on “Three Irons out in the cold for Watford clash

  1. Lanzini is better than wilshere keep him on the bench, only way he won’t get injured.

  2. Firstly I don’t believe for a second how you could ever put Wilshere in a team ahead of Lanzini unless Lanzini is injured. Secondly if we have learned anything from the first 4 games of the season it surely is that Noble and Wilshere cannot be in the same team. If Pelle has forgotten this key learning we will be overrun in midfield by a powerful Watford team. Wilshere is a technically gifted player but unfortunately offers nothing as he has no stamina or pace.

    • Really good point. In those first four games, Wiltshire’s lack of tracking back left us really open. I like him going forward. But if he is in the team, Noble has to sit deeper alongside Rice.

      • Dirk I would be surprised if he plays Wilshire and noble together next season. As much as I love our captain for what he gives to our club on and off the pitch if both are used in the right way with Declan holding both will be able to give a lot to the team if Jack can play without pain for the first time for 4 yrs he will be a big plus for us mate

  3. You might be right with that team and Wilshere playing as a number 10, it is also possible he drops Noble for Nasri although that would be a huge call.

    • No Nasri in squad that’s a shame was hoping he would play at least half last game to prove a point. Bc even a free player of his Ilk be bug wages & sign on fee. And Mp knows how to get the best out of him plus the squad likes him. Was hoping work out £40-50k & gets his £70k if in matchday squad.or fit.
      But him not being in doesn’t bode well & prob one of players MP was supposed to tell this week they were longer needed. Obaing & Oeeez probably were Carroll too but Chic made bench.
      Rather seen Nasei in then Sanchez

  4. I can understand the frustration about Jack Wilshere but he the operations that had been recommended by the Arsenal medical team to insert screws to the ankle obviously were not correct. He has now had them replaced with bolts so lets hope this is a success. I think that the manager knows a little bit more than any of us what he could bring to the team. Lets be honest here Yamolenko is no different with his injury history so shall we sit him on the bench remember he cost millions. I hope Wilshere plays without any pain if so we could all see a world class player emerge that would not be bad for team get behind the manager he is the best manager we have had for a very long time

  5. Chelsea beat Leicester, not tuther way round.

  6. As long as cresswell and others Sanchez Fernandes obiang chich arnie Perez obviously carrol gone too even oggy Reid I would sell too and arnie and snod we need a complete revamp to add to our solid squad of fab zab diop rocky masu wilshere yarmo Anderson lanzini noble rice Grady and Holland Johnson coventry and others coming through we can then get in young quality players needed for next season imo

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