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The West Ham Starting XI has been announced and our thoughts are…

By Jeremiah Carson

LONDON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 18: A general view of the London Stadium ahead of the Premier League match between West Ham United and Everton FC at London Stadium on January 18, 2020 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 18: A general view of the London Stadium ahead of the Premier League match between West Ham United and Everton FC at London Stadium on January 18, 2020 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images) /
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Moyes’ old club, Everton, head to the London Stadium to take on his new boys in Claret and Blue. West Ham United’s starting XI has been announced and well, we have some thoughts.

For West Ham, today’s formation looks like it’s going to be a 4-5-1 of sorts… Are you surprised? Because we are…a lot. After the past few weeks of shifting formations and 3/5 at the back, this is an oldie but possibly, it could work today. Slow yet safe maybe? Either way, here it is.

The West Ham United Starting XI

Randolph

Zabaleta – Ogbonna – Diop – Cresswell

Rice – Noble

Fornals – Lanzini – Snodgrass

Haller

Subs: Martin, Reid, Balbuena, Cardoso, Masuaku, Ajeti, Ngakia

Honestly, with this lineup, you would think that David Moyes was setting up to defend the world’s most attacking sides like Bayern or Real, not Everton… but alas, here we are? What are your thoughts?

The first one that comes to mind is that it’s another debut match for Darren Randolph. How will he fair and how injured is he really? It’s good to see Winston Reid back in the fold and the addition of Pablo Fornals back to the starting XI is key. Not really sure how the midfield will setup but he will sure to be a solid piece again.

LONDON, ENGLAND – MAY 13: David Moyes, Manager of West Ham United looks on prior to the Premier League match between West Ham United and Everton at London Stadium on May 13, 2018, in London, England. (Photo by Stephen Pond/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – MAY 13: David Moyes, Manager of West Ham United looks on prior to the Premier League match between West Ham United and Everton at London Stadium on May 13, 2018, in London, England. (Photo by Stephen Pond/Getty Images) /

Seeing Albian Ajeti, Cardoso, and Ngakia on the bench might look weak to some but it’s also really promising. If these young additions to the squad can show up and continue to get time, obviously not at the teams winning expense, then its a good deal.

Additionally, I for one hope that seeing Arthur Masuaku on the bench and all the other defenders on there as well means that the once left-back might not be turned into a winger. Remember when Moyes moved Marko Arnautovic up front? The rest was history.

Our predicted lineup... did we get it right?. dark. Next

I suspect this will shock many readers and the lineup does look slow and safe but to be completely honest, what else was Moyes to do? He is working with what he has at the moment and let’s just do our best and get behind the boys. COME ON YOU IRONS!