West Ham v Newport in the Carabao Cup, can I get the starting XI right?

West Ham United begin their journey to Carabao Cup glory by facing League Two squad Newport County. So far the contributors at The Green Street Hammers have been 0-3 on guessing the correct starting XI, until now.

Hopefully, you sensed some sarcasm in the above paragraph as predicting the correct starting XI for West Ham is hard enough let alone guessing the one for a second-round matchup in the league cup. Furthermore, a matchup that has only happened three times with the last time being in 1979 when the Hammer lost to the Ironsides in an FA Cup match.

My hope for this matchup is that Pellegrini takes his frustration after losing terribly in the team’s last cup appearance where they bowed out to League One side AFC Wimbledon and puts out a solid squad. Obviously, this will be a good time for the youth to get a run-out as well so as hard as it’ll be for me to predict, I think Pellegrini will have an even tougher time.

Read. Hammers keep picking up vital points. light

Enough said, here is my correct (most likely not correct) starting XI for West Ham:

Goalkeeper

Roberto

Hopefully, the Spaniard can command the backline and keep the League Two team out of the net as this will be his first start since the preseason.

Defense

Johnson, Balbuena, Reid, and Cresswell

Getting Johnson and Cresswell are key for West ham as they will need to rest Masuaku and Fredericks who both traveled a lot of ground just 3 days ago. Pellegrini needs to keep Balbuena fresh so this will be perfect for him and I think we will see the likes of Reid come out in this match to test where he is. The Gaffer stated that Cardoso isn’t ready so Reid is my surprise pick to start.

Holding Midfield

Sanchez and Wilshere

It is clear that with the return of Mark Noble to that starting XI last weekend he has to keep that role. Pellegrini has something for Sanchez and well starting Wilshere and resting Rice seems like a good idea against Newport County.

Attacking Midfield

Snodgrass, Fornals, and Antonio

In my mind, you have to rest the likes of Lanzini and Anderson who put on a clinic last weekend at Watford. That immediately puts McMessi and Fornals into that starting XI for this match. The start of Antonio is an interesting one but I think the Gaffer sees him as a super-sub and will want to give him significant time in the cup matches.

Center Forward

Ajeti

The easiest pick for this starting squad is Albian Ajeti. Not because I’m a genius, but because Pellegrini made a statement per football.london that the Swiss International will be playing in the cup tie. Many West Ham fans will be on the edge of their seats as he will get his much-anticipated start for the club.

dark. Next. Sebastien Haller opens his West Ham account

Only time will tell, just under 12 hours to be exact, on how Pellegrini will send out the boys to fave Newport County in this Carabao Cup tie. I just hope it gets taken seriously and this is a solid step towards trying for a trophy this season. Until then, COME ON YOUR IRONS!