Right Back Where We Belong

Ahead of the Boxing day clash with fellow Londoners Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park supporters have been expressing genuine concern that neither Lukasz Fabianski nor David Martin will be fit for what is the first of two games in 48 Hours.

The goalkeeping situation is alarming, but the elephant in the room is going to be at right back, where whoever plays will be up against Wilfred Zaha, and irrespective of what you think about the player, on his day he can destroy teams, especially those who don't have a 'spring heeled' runner to keep pace with him.

Ryan Fredericks is a perfect example of a modern day right back with pace to burn, sadly he is unavailable for the Palace game due to an accumulation of yellow cards. Veteran Pablo Zabaleta is almost certain to start, but if he does Hammers fans can stop dreaming about three points! The cruel fact is that 'Zaba' has hit the wall physically, he just doesn't have the gas left in his tank to do what his mind wants his body to do, and unless he has a 'covering' player he will be found out.

Manuel Pellegrini, mindful of the impending holiday schedule has few options, he could have used Ben Johnson, but unfortunately the youngster picked up a hamstring injury, which leaves little choice other than to draft Issa Diop in at right back. It is not a perfect solution, but what he might lose in speed he can more than make up in physicality, also his height would help when it comes to defending the numerous long balls over the top which Palace will doubtless try.

The games are coming thick and fast, at the end of the next batch Hammers could be sitting high and mighty, alternatively they could be in the throes of a relegation scrap! Of course if the squad wasn't so wafer thin this situation wouldn't be occurring, but that's what happens when a club perpetually penny pinches, Happy Christmas . - Ed