West Ham really need to pull themselves together before they find themselves back in the relegation scrap that many of the punters here at the Transfer Tavern feared for them earlier in the season.
This weekend they face a tough Swansea City team who themselves are trying to steer away from the drop zone, and will see this fixture as a six pointer.
A defeat for the Hammers would see them very much in an area of concern alongside their opponents. The Irons, though, can be victorious in this fixture if they get their team selection right. However, what doesn’t help Slaven Bilic and his cause is the amount of players they currently have on the treatment table – some very key men – with the likes of Pedro Obiang and Winston Reid being the most notable.
It’s easy to make excuses but we know that with the type of man that Slaven Bilic is, that he will not let that be used and will fight for victory no matter what. This mentality has really helped the Croatian manager gain the backing of the owners and indeed the punters here at the bar which led to the chairmen stating they give him their full backing confidence earlier this week, as reported by whufc.com.
With the support of everyone at the club it is now important that they push on and if Bilic picks this XI then the Hammers will demolish the Swans for sure…
GK: DARREN RANDOLPH
There is no way back for former number one Adrian this season and so it is highly likely that Randolph will be the club’s number one for now.
He’s been superb at times since taking over the spot earlier this season – but this could be an area improved in the summer but for now the Republic of Ireland international keeps his spot.
RB: SAM BYRAM
Byram is currently West Ham’s only real out and out right-back, other than Alvaro Arbeloa who seems to have gone missing somewhere. The former Madrid star could of been a great option but it appears he’s not very close to the first team for whatever reason.
So for now, Byram is the club’s first choice and has to play.
CB: JOSE FONTE
The former Southampton captain has yet to really impress us in the West Ham colours here at the Transfer Tavern, but with a few decent showings that could change.
He’ll need to be at his very best this weekend to help his side to a vital victory in the battle to ensure survival in the league.
CB: JAMES COLLINS
It seems that Bilic favours the experienced Welsh defender as back-up to the injured Reid and Ogbonna as opposed to opting for Nordtveit in this position.
His experience could be key in helping his side out of this torrid spell, although he will have to be better than he was last weekend against Hull City in this fixture to help guide the Irons to a victory.
LB: ARTHUR MASUAKU
With Cresswell bang out of form and also recently picking up a knock in his side’s fixture against Hull City, it is a chance for the summer recruit from Olympiacos to prove why he should be first choice.
With his blistering pace he could cause issues for the Swansea back line as well as helping to prevent as many dangerous attacks from the likes of Jordan Ayew in the game.
CDM: CHEIKHOU KOUYATE
Kouyate has to get it together and start showing us here at the bar exactly what we know he is capable of doing from the middle of the park.
The 27-year-old could be absolutely key in these final games for the Irons and help the team to finish as well as they possibly can – starting with this weekend’s fixture against Swansea City!
CDM: MARK NOBLE
Captain fantastic is back just in time to help ensure that his beloved West Ham remain in the Premier League! He’ll need to get himself in the middle of the team in the dressing room and bring them all together and get them playing for the badge on the front of the shirt and not the name on the back!
The club’s fans don’t want a team of eleven Dimitri Payet’s on the pitch for West Ham at this stage, they simply all have to play for the club and want to give their all.
RAM: MICHAIL ANTONIO
He is back and fit to play and although it could be a risk to throw him in at the deep end, at this point West Ham simply cannot afford to play it safe.
They have to go out for every game and in doing so have to put their strongest team out and Antonio is very much a part of that team! Although it’ll mean perhaps Snodgrass is dropped to the bench, he can make a bigger impact from the bench in this and other games.
CAM: MANUEL LANZINI
The midfield maestro has been superb even in these difficult times for the Hammers, he has so much talent and class that it may well be hard to keep him at the club.
However, he is currently a Hammer and a cracking one at that! Another great performance from the Argentine and his side could well come away with victory from this important fixture.
LAM: ANDRE AYEW
Coming up against his brother yet again, Andre Ayew will be hoping that his younger sibling has a quiet one and that he himself has a cracker against his former club.
It’s tough to play an old club and this will be no different for the Ghanaian international but he has shown glimpses of pure class for West Ham this season and he simply has to maintain that from now until the very end!
ST: ANDY CARROLL
We cannot even express how important that Andy Carroll could be for his side in these remaining fixtures! He can score out of nowhere and he needs to start doing it now before it’s too late!
Carroll’s threat is real and could cause the Swans’ defence a whole world of problems in this fixture – if West Ham can get Carroll in form they could well be unstoppable in this game.
