West Ham supporters in the Transfer Tavern have been in a jubilant mood this week after seeing their side register their first Premier League win of the season on Monday.
Slaven Bilic’s men lost their opening three league games of the campaign to increase the pressure on the Croat, yet his team responded on Monday night with a comfortable 2-0 victory over Huddersfield Town at the London Stadium.
Second half goals from Pedro Obiang and Andre Ayew sealed the three points for the East London outfit, and they’ll look to build upon that when they travel to West Brom this afternoon, who themselves are looking to bounce back after losing 3-1 at Brighton last time out.
And several of our resident West Ham fans in the Tavern have been speculating on who should make Bilic’s starting eleven against the Baggies, and after his efforts against the Terriers on Monday night, there’s one man in particular who simply has to get the nod at the Hawthorns today, namely Andy Carroll.
The 28-year-old returned to the eleven on Monday in what was his first competitive outing since April, and lasted 82 minutes against David Wagner’s men in what must be a huge boost to manager Bilic.
Not just because Carroll came through unscathed, but because it was evident how much he offers this West Ham side when on the pitch.
Just by him being on the field of play gave the whole stadium, a stadium undoubtedly nervous after a poor start to the campaign, a massive lift, and even in the first few minutes it was clear that his presence was going to cause the Huddersfield backline problems.
And so it proved, with the England international firing a stinging effort across goal early on, and he continued in that vain throughout his 82 minutes on the pitch, earning a standing ovation when he was replaced.
And he simply has to start this afternoon, as his aerial prowess and strength will match up well against the Baggies, both going forward and defensively.
Last weekend’s defeat at Brighton was somewhat uncharacteristic of Tony Pulis’ side, yet at home they are a different animal, as they make it incredibly tough for teams to play, and use their physicality to their advantage.
And Carroll, in that respect, will be key for West Ham, with the 29-year-old able to go toe-to-toe with the West Brom centre-backs, winning his fair-share of flick-ons and headers from which the likes of Javier Hernandez and the returning Marko Arnautovic can prosper.
Yet Carroll’s presence will be just as important in their own box, as West Brom score many goals from set-pieces, which West Ham only know too well having conceded a late Jonny Evans leveller from a corner in the 2-2 draw back in February.
Thus, Carroll’s inclusion in the starting line-up is a must at the Hawthorns, and how well he is able to counter the aerial threat of West Brom, both offensively and defensively, will have a huge bearing on which way the match goes this afternoon.
