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What’s in store for preseason match number 2 for West Ham United

By Jeremiah Carson

IPSWICH, ENGLAND - JULY 28: Jack Wilshere of West Ham United during the pre-season friendly match between Ipswich Town and West Ham United at Portman Road on July 28, 2018 in Ipswich, England. (Photo by Stephen Pond/Getty Images)
IPSWICH, ENGLAND - JULY 28: Jack Wilshere of West Ham United during the pre-season friendly match between Ipswich Town and West Ham United at Portman Road on July 28, 2018 in Ipswich, England. (Photo by Stephen Pond/Getty Images) /
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After West Ham United’s first preseason match of the 2019/2020 campaign, it left many fans craving and excited for more. The match itself showed some old and some new players and it also showed us what might be in store for match number 2 against Manchester City in China.

Overall, it was a pretty solid first preseason match with the keyword being preseason. Many West Ham fans haven’t seen as strong of a side during a preseason match since as far as they can remember. I for one was left craving and excited for more.

The formation

Pellegrini ran a 4-5-1 formation on Thursday against Altach with the midfield being secured by two defending midfielders in the back and one attacking and to the left and right. With the amount of attacking midfielders that the Irons have, will we see that again next week when they face Man City?

This has been the preferred formation for the majority of the 2018/19 season and it looks like Pellegrini might stay with it a bit longer until he gets everyone back. I think this is a solid sign for things to come next week and believe Pellegrini will roll with the same 4-5-1 look.

The squad

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It was tough to get a fair assessment of the squad as the Gaffer player two different teams each half (besides Roberto, Diop, and Johnson who were later subbed out). This is pretty typical of Pellegrini and it makes sense so he can get a look at everyone involved.

With that being said, I don’t think that he rotates the squad the same next week against City. Although it is preseason, there is a trophy involved and it will be against some tough Premier League competition where he can really get a picture of what’s in store for this season.

I know we are a week out but judging by what we saw yesterday, I think that the starting lineup could look as follows. Roberto in net, a backline of Fredericks, Diop, Reid, and Johnson (something tells me the Gaffer likes Johnson). I think we see two from the midfield helping in defense. Most likely Rice and Noble.

dark. Next. West Ham start preseason with 3-2 win: Match Review

Follow that up with Anderson, Wilshere, and Yarmolenko from left to right and finishing up with Antonio up front. As they say, follow this thread as I think we will look a lot like this.