Hammers manager David Moyes faces a bit of a selection problem when it comes to this afternoon's game against Fulham at Craven Cottage. The 1st half's lamentable performance against 'Tottingham' was followed by a blistering display of 'positive' football that no one, least of all Moyes we suspect, saw coming.
The issue for Moyes is does he stick with the same line up or make a couple of changes? Alphonse Areola was unavailable midweek due to a 'minor' wrist injury with 'Fabbo' deputising really well, however the deal between keepers is that the 'Euro' spots and domestic cups go to the 2nd choice keeper right up until the finals, therefore who should make the cut for today?
IF Areola is not 100% fit then Fabianski MUST start, if however Areola is fit then he should.
Some misguided souls have suggested that talisman Lucas Paqueta should be dropped from the starting line up, citing that his last couple of games have been below par. THey of course have forgotten or not realised that Paqueta was himself struck down by the virus that saw several players miss games but elected to play in spite of the illness.
Perhaps the fact that 'Pacman' has been forced to play as a 'defacto' left back hasn't helped any either! Jarrod Bowen keeps on going from strength to strength and is banging the goals in, but you can't jelp but wonder how many MORE goals he could score if he wasn't being played out of position.
Nevertheless, Hammers currently have a chance to 'jump on to the coat tails' of the top four IF they don't blow it against Marco Silva's side. It all depends on which team turns up, the 1st half rubbish from Thursday or the scintillating counter attack team from the 2nd? - Ed
Comments
I have
Of late, been a big critic of Paqueta. Its all very well doing tricks and flicks, but preferably in the opponents half of the field and, even better, preferably when two or three up. He has of late being losing the ball cheaply and dangerously,and in the Spuds game didn't look all that interested in trying to redeem himself by trying to get the ball back.
I take Nevs point about a possible illness, I definitely take the point about his being wasted on the left as a winger and a not very successful left back. However he is now a victim of his own success. Spurs and others have notably been putting three players to close him down which in effect means that space is available elsewhere. Paqueta must stop these tricks and lose the ball a lot quicker.
In my opinion, the game he is being forced to play right now is more suited to Pablo, and to aa lesser degree, Benrahma. As an old fuddy duddy Hammers supporter of old, I just love players like Paqeuta but he just doesn't work in this current team. He reminds me very much of a certain Joe Cole who was also just as much a liability on frequent occasions.