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Three points vital for West Ham and Roberto against Palace

By Jay Korman

NEWPORT, WALES - AUGUST 27: Roberto of West Ham United during the Carabao Cup Second Round match between Newport County and West Ham United at Rodney Parade on August 27, 2019 in Newport, Wales. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)
NEWPORT, WALES - AUGUST 27: Roberto of West Ham United during the Carabao Cup Second Round match between Newport County and West Ham United at Rodney Parade on August 27, 2019 in Newport, Wales. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images) /
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This Saturday, West Ham will host Crystal Palace in a battle of London clubs. This is the first of many matches the Hammers will play without star keeper Lukasz Fabianski, and it is absolutely vital that the Irons can give new man Roberto a bit of confidence for the rest of the season.

Up to this point in the season, things have been great in East London and for manager Manuel Pellegrini. Now, West Ham will face a true first test of adversity this season -an injury to a major player, a leader, and a Hammer of the year.

Lukasz Fabianski has a major groin injury and will miss 2-3 months of action. That is why three points, and more importantly, a confidence boost for the new man Roberto is absolutely vital this weekend against Crystal Palace.

Many Hammers fans have already started to get on Roberto’s case a bit, as the Spaniard has not particularity impressed so far as a Hammer. I think this game against Palace is a great way for West Ham to play well and give the fans (and players) some confidence about Roberto. This will have to come from the defense playing better.

Diop and Ogbonna have played well so far this season as a center-back pairing, however, they will need to step up their performances even more during Fabianski’s absence. A calming presence at the back, combined with a game where the Hammers net is hardly under pressure, is a perfect way to integrate Roberto into the squad. I believe that after a few decent performances, his confidence, along with the fans and players, will skyrocket.

West Ham are off to their best start in the league in recent memory. Manuel Pellegrini and the squad need to make sure that the Fabianski news does not derail and undo all of the hard work and great play that the team has shown so far. Yes, the news is devastating to every West Ham fan, but the only way to get through a situation like this is to get behind the team and the players.

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Crystal Palace at home is a game that the 2019/2020 West Ham team should be winning quite easily. Whether the Irons put 4 past palace or scrape out a 1-0 victory, the most important aspect of the match will be making sure Roberto is as comfortable as possible. That responsibility relies on the Manager’s shoulders, along with the defense’s, and I have no doubt that they will deliver on Saturday.