The good news from Graham Potter’s pre-match press conference was the fitness update: Only Crysenico Summerville and long-termer Antonio are out and the return of Niclas Fullkrug in some capacity is to be expected now after his long layoff.
Potter will no doubt keep a cautious stance on Fullkrug’s re-introduction so we don’t think he’ll be starting: opinions are divided of the likelihood of Evan Ferguson playing q sa a striker from the start probably being our wishful thinking.
Therefore much as it pains us to suggest it, Potter the pragmatist is likely to go for that 3-5-2 formation without a central striker. The other ‘known unknown’ relates to Lucas Paquetá’s mindset in the midst of his FA hearing. Potter did seem to be upbeat yesterday so we’ll assume- rightly or wrongly – that he is selected.
West Ham United
Areola : Todibo, Kilman, Cresswell | Wan Bissaka , Soucek, Paquetá , Ward-Prowse, Scarles | Bowen, Kudus
Fullkrug or Ferguson entering at half time or later if West Ham go behind.
Score predictions:
Martin 1-0 Hammers away win
Gonzo 0 – 0 borefest
Sean 2-1-West Ham away win
Matt 1-0 West Ham win
Check back at 6.45 for Graham Potter’s selected team announcement – see it here first- and Gonzo’s player ratings and Martin’s full time-first impressions articles when the game is over
I really don’t see the point in loaning Fergeuson from Brighton….potter is another who would rather play players out of position…all we are doing is getting him ready to go back to Brighton….we are so thick , how can they not see things like this and not even giving fringe players a go , like guliherme the brazilian kid when we have absolutely nothing to play for …I like potter but what is it about things l8ke this …this kid has pace and potential and they will let him go at a loss without even starting him.in one game …I mean wtf are they thinking
Nigh on identical form over the passed ten games, they’re ahead of us on the last six but only by three points.
I’ll go for a one all draw.
interesting what I’m hearing about the side, John, it might be bit more attacking than we expected!
I’m glad to hear that Martin. I’d run with Ferguson until about sixty then sub him for Fullkrug gives both game time. We have two half decent forwards fit, lets use them…