Initial reactions to the West Ham starting XI against Sheffield United

It’s Friday night, under the lights and for West Ham United, this is a huge match in the new era of David Moyes. How did the hammers line up for it and what is the current reaction?

The most interesting part of the wait until an hour before the match and waiting for the lineup to be produced was to see what formation David Moyes would put out. The 3 at the back like in the FA Cup, or the 4 like he did for West Ham against Bournemouth.

The wait is over and it seems that Moyes has gone with a 3 at the back option. Not that is a bad choice but who is there might raise some questions and the bench is a crazy new look. But alas, the lineup:

West Ham United’s Starting XI

Fabianski

Ogbonna – Balbuena – Cresswell

Zabaleta – Rice – Noble – Lanzini – Masuaku

Anderson

Haller

Bench: Martin, Cardoso, Diop, Ngakia, Rosa, Snodgrass, Fornals

Initial thoughts that have come out are where is the substituted striker? Why is Aaron Cresswell playing at CB, and really? Manuel Lanzini or Pablo Fornals? Something else to watch out for will be how Pablo Zabaleta will match up in a wing-back role.

Exciting to some and yet curious to all is the three Academy stars on the bench. Goncalo Cardoso, Bernardo Rosa, and Jeremy Ngakia have made their senior team debuts for the Hammers. You would have to think that at least 1 if not 2 of them will get a shot in the late minutes today.

One thing that is exciting but in a somewhat savage way is that there is no Roberto on the bench. It seems that since David Martin is healthy, he had won over the Gaffer and made his case to be the backup keeper.

With less than an hour to go, what are your thoughts on the Hammers starting XI? Will Cress work as a CB? Will the youth get a shot and will they show up if played? Only time can tell but for now, we must trust in what Moyes has put out and COME ON YOU IRONS!