West Ham welcome Newcastle to the London Stadium this weekend. Newcastle will be wanting to put to bed the fact they have lost 3 out of their last 4 away games to West Ham, having failed to find the net in those defeats.
Then again, they didn’t have Andy Carroll in their ranks in those games. But what a surprise, he’s still might not be in their ranks as he is recovering from a groin strain.
West Ham will be looking to add to the two victories they had over Newcastle last season and go in search of their first 3 in a row against the Magpies since 1999.
TEAM NEWS
Fabianski, Antonio and Reid keep their places on the injury list and are duly joined by Jack Wilshere.
News from the manager indicates that Antonio could be back after the next bore fest that is the international break. Although this one may not be as boring for me, as Ireland need a result against the Danes so it could be a tad exciting! Until, of course, Eriksen turns on the charm and obliterates us again!
I’m getting side-tracked, back to West Ham v Newcastle!
Reid came through a bit of time in the U23s during the week so will need to play a full game for them before he is deemed fit enough for selection. Promising, but I can’t still see him ousting Diop, Ogbonna or currently Balbuena.
Wilshere appears to have picked up a minor injury which kept him out of the squad last weekend and seems like he hasn’t fully recovered. No point in rushing back as the last thing we need is him out for a prolonged period.
PREDICTED LINE UP
After last weeks draw with Sheff United, I would expect Pellegrini to make a few changes to the starting line-up. I doubt / hope nothing changes bar the back four selection.
I would reckon Fredericks will come back in for Zabaleta. Not that Zabaleta done anything wrong, I just feel Fredericks is the better option.
Tough one to call in the centre back pairing. Balbuena didn’t really do anything wrong last weekend but neither did Ogbonna to warrant being dropped. Your call Pellegrini, you’re the one watching them day in day out in training.
Snodgrass must play in my opinion. His workrate is second to none, he fights for every ball, and all that aside he is a far better option than Lanzini and, Jimmy Hill’s lovechild, Fornals at the moment.
We’ll have to rely on Haller up front as Ajeti just isn’t doing it for me. I think we’re going to have to wait until Antonio is back before we even think of going for a two-up front. Good God imagine coming up against those two side by side, a centre back’s nightmare!
So, I reckon we’re looking at something like:
Despite the last few weeks results, I’m strangely still positive this can be turned around. We are 2pts off 6th place, we are in joint 7th place on points and we are above Spurs.
Yes, we are on a shit run at present with 2 defeats and 2 draws but we are always going to have our blip in the season. Let’s get it out of the way now.
I’m not hitting the panic button just yet. I have confidence in our players and management. I’m still looking forward to sitting down on Saturday afternoon and watching us play.
Although, ask me if that’s still the same come 4:50pm on Saturday evening! Especially if a certain Mr Carroll gets game time! You just know it’s going to happen!
COYI!
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