4-2-3-1, no Payet, no problem… The West Ham XI to beat Palace
If the season hadn’t been eventful enough up to now, events over the past 36 hours or so have further added to the woes 2016/17 is bringing us.
The news that Dimitri Payet has effectively gone on strike in order to orchestrate a move away from the club shouldn’t come as a surprise to anyone – he has history of behaving this way throughout his career – but the manner in which he has behave has left everyone feeling betrayed, upset and angry.
None more so than Slaven Bilic, who looked visibly broken when he announced the news about Payet’s behaviour to the media during his pre-match press conference on Thursday morning.
However, as Bilic quite rightly said, he has a team to manage, and he knows nothing less than victory against Crystal Palace will be acceptable this weekend. His job is still on the line here, though his handling of the Payet situation reinforces the popular opinion that he can succeed at West Ham.
So how does he approach this game? Manuel Lanzini will undoubtedly be the man he turns to to fill the void left by Payet, which then frees up a space out wide for a player most suited at playing there.
Does Feghouli start again? He has looked impressive in the last two games he has played, while Edimilson Fernandes must be throwing his hat in the ring for a change to show what he can do from wide.
It could be said that the side will be better off without Payet in the side as it’ll allow Bilic to be less restricted in picking key players because he no longer needs to force the Frenchman in to his XI. Either way, the side picks on Saturday will need to be bang on and will be required to give absolutely everything to the cause.
Here’s how we think Bilic should line-up…
CLICK FOR THE BEST XI FOR BILIC
1. Darren Randolph
Darren Randolph has forced his way in to being our first choice keeper following a string of mistakes made by Adrian earlier in the campaign.
He has impressed since being handed the gloves and should return to the starting XI after making way for Adrian in the 5-0 FA Cup defeat to Man City.
3. Aaron Cresswell
A complete no brainer at right-back. Cresswell hasn’t enjoyed the best of seasons so far but that can partly be blamed to the serious injury he picked up in pre-season.
It’s taking a bit longer than expected to get back to his best, but there’s no doubting he will eventually get there.
2. Winston Reid
One of very few who seems to be playing with heart this season. Winston Reid has almost been on a one man mission to ensure we concede as little as possible each game.
The Kiwi has been absolutely immense and is throwing his name in the ring for an early contender for Hammer of the Year.
21. Angelo Ogbonna
Ogbonna hasn’t been as solid as we’d all have liked this season but he and Reid are beginning to develop a good partnership at the heart of our defence.
4. Havard Nordtveit
He’s not a right-back, we all know that, but the club’s failure to sign one in the summer and so far this January means we’re still having to utilise this area of the team.
Sam Byram did return from injury to feature for the U23s earlier in the week but I can’t see Bilic throwing the youngster straight back in to the starting XI.
14. Pedro Obiang
Another player who is one of the few who have impressed this season.
Pedro Ogiang is composed at all times and brings so much to our midfield. It’s difficult to understand why it took Bilic so long to give him regular playing time last season but circumstances this term have allowed him to show us all what he’s capable of.
Now a very important member of the team.
16. Mark Noble
The skipper has been left out of the last two starting line-ups but I think he’ll return here. Games like this require players who want to fight for the shirt and give their all, influencing their teammates around them to do the same.
There is no better player at that than Noble, so expect him to return to the side here.
31. Edimilson Fernandes
Edimilson Fernandes has impressed when given the chance this season and certainly looks to be an exciting prospect for years to come.
With Payet out and the jury still out on Feghouli, this is the Swiss U21 international’s chance to force his way in to the starting XI.
He impressed when deployed out wide against Chelsea in the EFL Cup earlier this season, scoring the winner too, and could cause problems for Palace.
30. Michail Antonio
If Payet needs any lessons in how to behave when things aren’t going your way, Michail Antonio is the man he needs to look up to.
The winger had to wait patiently for his chance following his arrival last summer but, after spending months on the bench, grabbed his chance with both hands when it eventually came along.
Now he’s our top scorer, one of the most important players at the club and all while having a smile on his face.
He has never moaned and while Chelsea are reportedly interested in him, you won’t have him going on striker in order to force a move a way.
An ultimate professional and he’ll be looking to add to his goal tally on Saturday v. Palace.
10. Manuel Lanzini
Some will say this is Manuel Lanzini’s most important game in claret and blue.
With Payet seemingly gone, Bilic will have told the Argentine that this is his chance to be the creative force Payet once was.
Lanzini has struggled in the past without Payet alongside him but this is his chance to step up and prove he can be the kind of player we all know he is capable of.
He’ll want to prove that to the fans and on a personal level, too, so I’m expecting him to be very lively against Palace.
9. Andy Carroll
Andy Carroll will be looking to feed off the service from Lanzini, Fernandes and Antonio and will be tasked with making life difficult for Palace’s defenders.
If we ensure he’s not too isolated up top he’ll be the man to decide this game. I fancy him to score.
The formation…
So many big performances are needed from this XI v Palace, not least from the likes of Lanzini, Fernandes and Antonio.
If those three are on their game then we’ll have a big chance of taking all three points.
It’s also a huge game for Noble, who will have been disappointed to have been dropped to the bench in recent weeks. The problems the club has experienced this season will be hurting him just as much as the next fan and he’ll be desperate to get on the field and try and put it right.
Prediction: West Ham 2-0 Crystal Palace