Pelle To Ring Changes-Don't Hold Your Breath!

There are times in life when being resilient and resistant to change can be commendable qualities, however West Ham United's beleaguered manager Manuel Pellegrini has found himself between a rock and a hard place when it comes to his team selections. Ahead of this Saturday's clash against Burnley at Turf Moor, Pellegrini's modus operandi is being called in to question by an increasing amount of fans.

IF the Chilean insists on playing the Veteran Pablo Zabaleta at right back, then all hope is lost! Great servant that Zaba has been, particularly when in his pomp at Citeh, the defender's legs have, to use an F1 anachronism for when tyres suddenly run out of tread, fallen off the cliff and no amount of will power can offset the fact that he no longer has the pace to deal with the rigours of the Barclays Premier League.

Even the most stubborn of managers must be able to see that Ryan Fredericks is a far better opition, no one knows exactly why Fredericks has not started the last couple of matches, there are rumours that he got a bit 'billy big bollocks' with Pellegrini when he turned up late for training, and that the Chilean 'slapped' Fredericks down to show who's boss. All very acceptable, a manager has to control his players despite the short term cost of his actions, but Hammers have definitely paid the price!

Hopefully Fredericks will return to the starting line up for the really important game against Sean Dyche's Clarets at Turf Moor, and maybe, just maybe Pellegrini will adapt his rigid one up top formation for one that gives the increasingly isolated Sebastian Haller more support up front. This game is one NOT to 'blood' players like Pablo Fornals in, as more likely than not it will be a bruising encounter with the home side pumped up to make amends for their last home defeat.

Predicted Hammers line up: Roberto, Fredericks, Diop, Balbuena, Cresswell, Rice, Noble, Snodgrass, Anderson, Yarmolenko, Haller.

The international break can't come soon enough for many fans who cannot wait to see the beast that is Michail Antonio return, how the team has missed his energy and work ethos. - Ed