Expecting a positive Hammers result at Anfield vs the potential title contenders was a bit ‘bubbles in the sky’ thinking, but the 0-4 outcome could open up Manuel Pellegrini’s eyes to possible changes needed to the starting XI this week vs Bournemouth at the London Stadium.
West Ham appeared to play better, relatively speaking of course, in the second half. This could be due to Liverpool scoring the decisive third goal and relaxing, WHU growing into the game a bit or the substitutions causing the team to function better as a unit.
Much of the debate after the game was centered around the back end: Declan Rice as the defensive midfielder, Masuaku as left back (Cresswell is battling a knock) and whether or not the center back pairing of Ogbanna and Balbuena is the right one moving forward. Up front, the discussions on social media circle around Antonio. Does he deserve to start, let alone is he able to play the full 90?
The great thing about all of the summer signings brought in is that there are a lot of choices and competition for positions all over the pitch. There is no need to overreact to one loss to Liverpool but there are a few places that figure to be up for grabs vs the Cherries.
Striker
Marco Arnautovic is the first name on the team sheet; the question here is should the team employ Chicharito as a second striker alongside. That would require removing a midfielder; likely Noble. Arnautovic remains the lone forward; Chicharito off the bench. At least this week.
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Attacking Midfield
The results for Filip Anderson’s debut were mixed. There is no way the record signing is taken out of the lineup. Antonio looked gassed after 55 minutes and yet played all 90. He is a one-speed wonder and one-trick pony. When Yarmalenko came on he seemed to work better with both Fredericks and Snodgrass (the other sub). Speaking of Snodgrass, he sat well right behind Arnie in the role usually played by the injured Lanzini. If Yarmalenko is fully fit, he gets the start on the right side in place of Antonio. Snodgrass remains on the bench as a sub.
Midfield
Noble, Rice, and Wilshire….Jack Wilshire is also one of the first names on the team sheet. This squad still seems to need Noble on the pitch as captain. Rice is 19 and still learning. Maybe he learns this week by watching. Noble and Wilshire make it; Rice sits. That could make way again for Snodgrass in the starting XI.
Defenders
For me, Ogbanna and Balbuena were ok. And they are called partnerships for a reason. I keep these two in the line up vs Bournemouth. I also keep Fredericks along the right side. His performance also seemed to garner a mixed response from the pundits. The question here as long as Pellegrini goes with his standard back 4 is Masuaku vs Cresswell–and is Creswell fit? If he is, he’s in. If he’s not, he can’t and Masuaku stays in.
Goalkeeper
I saw nothing that made me think Adrian gets between the sticks. To the contrary, I thought Fabianski was our best player vs the reds–and that is saying something.
Possible Starting 11 vs Bournemouth
Arnautovic
Anderson Snodgrass Yarmelenko
Noble Wilshire
Cresswell Ogbanna Balbuena Fredericks
Fabianski