Anticipation is growing here in the Football Transfer Tavern for the new Premier League season starting this weekend, our West Ham fans are debating over Bilic’s starting 11 against a strong Manchester United side.
West Ham have made four smart signings this transfer window bringing in goalkeeper Joe Hart and right back Pablo Zabaleta on loan and a free from Manchester City.
Alongside £24m record signing Marko Arnautovic and striker Javier Hernandez from Bayer Leverkusen, the Hammers have strengthened in each area with some real Premier League quality.
They’ll be looking to build on their 11th place finish last season and strengthen their obvious weakness of letting leads slip last year.
Our Landlord here believes this strong West Ham line up could provide a shock for a Manchester United side that will be most punters tick on the betting slip come weekend.
Slavan Bilic’s 4-2-3-1 formation would go like for like with the Red Devils, he’ll be looking at his two wide attackers to provide the lone striker with chances and support when moving forward.
GK: Joe Hart
Loanee Joe Hart will be looking to start the season with a clean sheet and no mistakes.
After a season away from the spotlight, Hart won’t want a repeat of the previous pre-season friendly especially against his former clubs rivals.
Hart will somewhat have a point to prove this year and there’s no better way than a clean sheet against Manchester United .
RB: Pablo Zabaleta
Similar to Hart, Zabaleta will have a point to prove this season.
Having been replaced at Manchester City for younger right backs, he’ll want to show that he’s still got what it takes to play at the top flight.
Although we may not see him making as many trademark over lapping runs, he’s still got that important experience to try and keep the likes of Rashford, Martial and co under wraps.
CB: Winston Reid
Following an injury on the back end of last season, Reid has slowly recovered over the summer and travelled with the squad in recent pre-season friendlies.
He’ll be looking to continue the form and having said to be refreshed mentally, Reid will want to stake his claim early doors.
CB: Angelo Ogbonna
Missing the second half of last season, Ogbonna will be looking to use this first match to nail his place in the team.
Having recently penned a new 5-year deal, the Italian defender will want to repay faith shown in him by Bilic with a solid performance.
LB: Aaron Cresswell
Another West Ham defender on the injury comeback trail after missing several matches last year.
Cresswell will be spurred on by his international call up last year and be looking to prove he is at that level this season with an impressive start to the campaign.
CDM: Mark Noble
Club captain Noble will again be wanting to get West Ham’s season off to a flyer and improve on last season’s 11th place finish.
Spurred on by the quartet the Hammers have brought in this season, Noble will have vital experience and running around him to lead this team to victory.
CDM: Pedro Obiang
Highly rated midfielder recently signed a new 5-year deal after West Ham fended off interest from Everton.
Recently back from an ankle injury, he should be fit for the start of the season.
The Spaniard is a star and is said to be part of big plans in the West Ham future, he’ll be looking to give us a glimpse of that against one of the leagues best.
RW: Andre Ayew
Towards the end of last season no doubt Ayew was West Ham’s most effective attacking player, he’ll be looking at bringing that form into this season.
Having been withdrawn in the last pre-season match with an injury, he’ll be looking at making a swift recovery before weekend.
Ayew will be wanting to preform as a devasting attacking trio for the season ahead.
CAM: Manuel Lanzini
‘The Jewel’ has been recently been linked with a Liverpool move that would leave a bitter taste in West Ham fans mouth.
With the strengthening of the side that has gone on this transfer window, this fan favourite and playmaker will be essential glue to stick this new look Hammers side together.
LW: Marko Arnautovic
New record signing will be expected and wanting to make a huge statement in the first game of the season.
Looking to link up and create an attacking trio to score goals a plenty and assist in elevating their league position.
ST: Javier Hernandez
‘Little Pea’ will be visiting his old stomping ground and along with Arnautovic will be wanting to make a statement on his league debut.
No doubt Hernandez can score goals and he’ll be looking to kick start his season with a debut goal.
Hernandez’s poaching abilities could prove the perfect foil for his three attacking partners behind him.
West Ham fans what do you think, would you agree with this starting eleven?
