Bournemouth v West Ham Preview

Now that we have the Carabao Cup safely out of the way, even though it’s not what we wanted, we can concentrate our efforts on the next Premier League fixture which takes West Ham on a journey to the south coast to Bournemouth.

Bournemouth is never an easy place for us to go. In fact, in our total of 6 visits to the Cherries we have only won the once. That victory coming in January 2016 where we won 3-1 with goals from Valencia (2) and the snake (Payet this time not Arnautovic).

TEAM NEWS

Lanzini has participated in training this week and is apparently showing no signs of any pain, so will be included in the matchday squad.

Antonio and Reid remain on the long-term injury list. Reid taking on the role of Carroll as our resident crock.

Other than that, a clean bill of health for the rest of the squad. Fingers crossed, touch wood, rub that rabbits’ foot and every other available good luck belief there is out there.

PREDICTED LINE UP

The boss has a bit of a selection dilemma in the left back position. Does he bring in Masuaku after serving his suspension or stick with Aaron Cresswell the goal scorer in the victory against Man U?

Personally, I would go with…… who am I kidding, I have no idea who I’d go with! I’m leaving this one up to Pellegrini. But I do feel he will go with Cresswell following Masuaku playing midweek in the Oxford massacre.

Pellgrini also has a bit of a selection headache in the midfield department. Does he continue with Fornals or play Lanzini who is just back from injury?

My thoughts would be to continue with Fornals. For no other reason than I don’t want Lanzini rushing back unnecessarily.

Lanzini will be on the bench and can be introduced if needs be. And the extra game time will be beneficial for Fornals.

I predict the starting 11 will be:

 

Unfortunately for me this is another game I’m not going to get to see, as yet again I am away trying to relive my youth by playing in another football tournament.

Although luckily the tournament is in the morning / early afternoon and hopefully finished up by 3/3:30pm when I fully expect to be drinking from the cup! As unlike West Ham, my team genuinely go out to win one!

I’ll be keeping up to date with my phone. Hopefully it will be buzzing continually with goals from Haller.

I really want this man to get on the scoresheet again. Not just because I have a bet on with my brother that he outscores Kean of Everton, but because I think he deserves it for the way he has been playing of late.

He works tirelessly and brings other players into the game. He puts himself about and gets involved in the game, closing down players and putting tackles in, dispossessing the opposition.

I feel there have been quite a few times this season where he has done all the hard work out the field, laid the ball off to the likes of Anderson and Yarmolenko but then they have had to hold the ball up waiting for him to get into the area. This is when I feel we could do with a partnership up front. Haller doing his stuff and Ajeti waiting for the goal opportunity.

Who knows, if things are going the usual way on our trip to Dean Court (excluding the Jan 2016 game), we might just introduce Ajeti alongside Haller and we might get to see if my theory works.

Although, I would much prefer it if we don’t need to do that as West Ham will be running riot to make up to the fans for the midweek fiasco!

Fingers crossed for a cup and a West Ham victory!

COYI!

Twitter:                @IrishIron2

Facebook:           Irish Iron

Website:              www.irishiron.sport.blog