West Ham have not got off to the greatest of starts this season.
They are having stadium troubles, they have won only one of four Premier League games and they failed to reach the Europa League group stages once again, losing to Astra Giurgiu for the second season running.
This weekend provides the perfect opportunity to escape their home woes as they have an away fixture at The Hawthorns, facing a West Brom side who aren’t full of confidence themselves.
The fans are losing patience with Tony Pulis and his style of football so it’s a huge game for both sides really but West Ham will definitely believe they have the quality to dispatch the Baggies relatively comfortably.
The punters here at the Tavern think so too, especially if they line up using this 4-2-3-1 first XI…..
Adrian
The West Ham number one didn’t have his finest game last weekend in the 4-2 loss against Watford but he has been a very solid keeper for the Hammers over the past few seasons.
They will just be hoping for better from him, this time.
Sam Byram
The promising young full back should keep his place.
He can really develop into something special as he has defensive nous but also an amazing ability to power forward and help his attacking team mates.
James Collins
Collins really struggled against Watford last week but he should also keep his spot in the team.
He is a leader on the field and is the sort of player who can come back after a poor performance much stronger.
Winston Reid
The New Zealand centre-half is a well established Premier League defender.
He has been linked with some of the elite English clubs before and is a certainty for next weekend’s fixture.
Arthur Masuaku
Masuaku has impressed for the Hammers since joining from Olympiacos this summer.
He looks a real handful going forward but is also strong and resolute in his defensive duties.
Mark Noble
Noble is West Ham through and through and is one of the most consistent performers.
He is the captain and leader of this side so even if he plays poorly, he can still motivate the rest of the team around him.
An absolute must starter.
Cheikhou Kouyate
Kouyate is one of the Hammers’ strongest players.
He links up well going forward and is also very adept at helping out defensively.
He also chips in with a few goals here or there.
Michail Antonio
The West Ham winger is enjoying a purple patch at the moment.
He simply cannot stop scoring.
He has power in abundance and since abandoning his role as a right back, he has flourished.
Manuel Lanzini
The Argentinian is a very tricky footballer.
He has a lot of skills and tricks but a finishing product to match.
He sometimes goes under the radar considering the brilliance of Dimitri Payet but nevertheless, he’s a must starter for this match.
Dimitri Payet
The little Frenchman is just magic.
He returned for the Watford match and contributed a rabona cross to assist Antonio’s first goal.
Despite ending on the losing side, take nothing away from Payet and his brilliance.
He’ll continue to give defenders a headache all season.
Simone Zaza
He made his debut in the Watford match and wasn’t quite at the races.
With Andre Ayew and Andy Carroll (no surprise) injured, the pressure will rest on Zaza to deliver the goods in the coming months.
He has the perfect chance to impress this weekend.
