It seems Manuel Pellegrini's first-choice side is starting to take shape following the 1-0 friendly win at Fulham. Interestingly the gaffer was playing three playmakers behind new boy Sebastien Haller, in Pablo Fornals, Manuel Lanzini and Felipe Anderson. Can all three fit into the same side or are they too similar? His deeper midfielders were Declan Rice and Jack Wilshere. Perhaps Mark Noble will be a squad player this season, though with Wilshere's injury record it's likely Nobes will still play a lot of games. Particularly if we have a mini-crisis and need to being in 'Mr West Ham' to motivate the side. There would also be the option of dropping an attacking midfielder to bring in the fit-again Yarmolenko, Hernandez or Antonio.
Defensively he will presumably stick with Diop and Balbuena in the middle and Fredericks and Masuaku as full backs, though both Arthur and Aaron Cresswell have struggled defensively at left-back in recent years. What is clear is WHU should have a very strong bench. If Pellegrini kept basically the same side that played at Fulham, we could see Antonio, Yarmolenko, Hernandez, Snodgrass, Diangana, Noble, Sanchez, Zabaleta, Johnson and Cresswell all competing for a place on the bench.
2 comments:
OK, I've seen bits of friendlies, defensive midfielder needed and sort out the defence please, Man City coming up fast
Yep, more work needs to be done. Looks promising going forward too.
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