West Ham need to start getting going this season or they face a real struggle this year.
Our resident Hammers punters here in the Transfer Tavern can’t quite believe what’s gone on so far this season, after the hope last year had brought.
With European football a possibility, a new stadium and an exciting looking squad, the Hammers were meant to really kick on this season from their seventh placed finish last time out but that simply hasn’t happened.
They were dumped out of Europe early on whilst the move to the new stadium has had a lot of well documented issues, and the players have been performing well below par.
Nevertheless, the game against Crystal Palace offers them the chance to start putting things right and our landlord reckons this line-up will help them do so…
Adrian
Adrian was better against Middlesbrough and will play.
A certain starter between the sticks for the Hammers.
Alvaro Arbeloa
The former Liverpool defender has looked pretty sturdy for the Hammers so far this season, so expect to see him start against Crystal Palace.
Winston Reid
Reid is West Ham’s best defender but needs to start reminding everyone why.
The New Zealand international certainly isn’t having the best season at West Ham, but is almost certain to start at Selhurst Park.
(function(){var ids=["snack_dex5","snack_dex6"];var els=document.querySelectorAll("div.snack-rpt-d:not([id])");for(var i=0;i<els.length&&i<ids.length;i++){els[i].id=ids[i];}})(); (function(){var ids=["snack_mex4","snack_mex5","snack_mex6","snack_mex7"];var els=document.querySelectorAll("div.snack-rpt-m:not([id])");for(var i=0;i<els.length&&i<ids.length;i++){els[i].id=ids[i];}})(); Angelo Ogbonna
Ogbonna deserves to start this one against Palace and will be tasked with facing Crystal Palace’s in-form striker Christian Benteke.
He will certainly need to be on his guard against the Palace attack.
(function(){var ids=["snack_dex5","snack_dex6"];var els=document.querySelectorAll("div.snack-rpt-d:not([id])");for(var i=0;i<els.length&&i<ids.length;i++){els[i].id=ids[i];}})(); (function(){var ids=["snack_mex4","snack_mex5","snack_mex6","snack_mex7"];var els=document.querySelectorAll("div.snack-rpt-m:not([id])");for(var i=0;i<els.length&&i<ids.length;i++){els[i].id=ids[i];}})(); Aaron Cresswell
Cresswell is finally back from injury, and the West Ham supporting punters here in the Transfer Tavern are delighted.
His excellent attacking and defensive capabilities make him perfect for the left-back slot in the Hammers backline.
(function(){var ids=["snack_dex5","snack_dex6"];var els=document.querySelectorAll("div.snack-rpt-d:not([id])");for(var i=0;i<els.length&&i<ids.length;i++){els[i].id=ids[i];}})(); (function(){var ids=["snack_mex4","snack_mex5","snack_mex6","snack_mex7"];var els=document.querySelectorAll("div.snack-rpt-m:not([id])");for(var i=0;i<els.length&&i<ids.length;i++){els[i].id=ids[i];}})(); Cheikhou Kouyate
The midfield powerhouse needs to start imposing himself, starting here.
On his day, Kouyate can be one of the best midfielders in the league, and he’ll be expected to dominate the centre of the park on Saturday.
(function(){var ids=["snack_dex5","snack_dex6"];var els=document.querySelectorAll("div.snack-rpt-d:not([id])");for(var i=0;i<els.length&&i<ids.length;i++){els[i].id=ids[i];}})(); (function(){var ids=["snack_mex4","snack_mex5","snack_mex6","snack_mex7"];var els=document.querySelectorAll("div.snack-rpt-m:not([id])");for(var i=0;i<els.length&&i<ids.length;i++){els[i].id=ids[i];}})(); Mark Noble
The captain has been as vocal as anyone about their poor form and will want to make a difference against Palace.
(function(){var ids=["snack_dex5","snack_dex6"];var els=document.querySelectorAll("div.snack-rpt-d:not([id])");for(var i=0;i<els.length&&i<ids.length;i++){els[i].id=ids[i];}})(); (function(){var ids=["snack_mex4","snack_mex5","snack_mex6","snack_mex7"];var els=document.querySelectorAll("div.snack-rpt-m:not([id])");for(var i=0;i<els.length&&i<ids.length;i++){els[i].id=ids[i];}})(); Michail Antonio
West Ham’s best player so far this season. Guaranteed to start.
Dimitri Payet
(function(){var ids=["snack_dex5","snack_dex6"];var els=document.querySelectorAll("div.snack-rpt-d:not([id])");for(var i=0;i<els.length&&i<ids.length;i++){els[i].id=ids[i];}})(); (function(){var ids=["snack_mex4","snack_mex5","snack_mex6","snack_mex7"];var els=document.querySelectorAll("div.snack-rpt-m:not([id])");for(var i=0;i<els.length&&i<ids.length;i++){els[i].id=ids[i];}})(); He’s showing flashes of his former self and so now it’s time to really produce the goods.
Sofiane Feghouli
The dynamic 26-year-old is expected to start against Crystal Palace on Saturday.
(function(){var ids=["snack_dex5","snack_dex6"];var els=document.querySelectorAll("div.snack-rpt-d:not([id])");for(var i=0;i<els.length&&i<ids.length;i++){els[i].id=ids[i];}})(); (function(){var ids=["snack_mex4","snack_mex5","snack_mex6","snack_mex7"];var els=document.querySelectorAll("div.snack-rpt-m:not([id])");for(var i=0;i<els.length&&i<ids.length;i++){els[i].id=ids[i];}})(); His direct running will cause the Palace defence problems all afternoon.
Simone Zaza
He’s not been at the club long but he needs to start scoring if he wants to stick around.
(function(){var ids=["snack_dex5","snack_dex6"];var els=document.querySelectorAll("div.snack-rpt-d:not([id])");for(var i=0;i<els.length&&i<ids.length;i++){els[i].id=ids[i];}})(); (function(){var ids=["snack_mex4","snack_mex5","snack_mex6","snack_mex7"];var els=document.querySelectorAll("div.snack-rpt-m:not([id])");for(var i=0;i<els.length&&i<ids.length;i++){els[i].id=ids[i];}})(); He certainly has the right attributes to be a top striker in the Premier League, but needs to start hitting the back of the net soon.
