Is this West Ham’s starting XI to face Newcastle?

Never in our wildest dreams could any of us have thought that we would be entering the game against Newcastle on an eight game unbeaten run.

Bournemouth were a potential banana skin, as were Wolves in the FA Cup. We didn’t exactly blow Wolves away, but we did enough, which is all you need to do sometimes in a cup game.

Against Bournemouth, yet again the Dimitri Payet show was on display. Superlative, composed and thrilling are just words that spring to mind. Not since Di Canio and Tevez have the Hammers faithful had another hero to worship.

Payet single handedly turned the game on it’s head. That free kick was out of the top drawer. Accurate, curling, dipping, the keeper had no chance, absolutely superb. It was also good to see a brace from Valencia, which was thoroughly well deserved and two brilliantly taken goals also.

Looking ahead to this weekend’s game against Newcastle, it is worth pointing out that the Magpies have not won a game since beating Spurs on the 13th of December 2015.

However, they did fight back against Manchester United and put three past them, so we must have our ‘A’ game in motion. It would be great to make this our second double of the season following Liverpool.

The changes continue to be made by Slaven on a week by week basis. Squad rotation and injury has pushed the limit of our depth and team spirit but we have found a way to get a result time and time again.

Every player that has come in seems to know what is required of them and have done the job required. We talk about Dimi Payet as we should but I have to mention James Collins as well. What a fantastic professional he is.

You just know that he is on a mission every game to ensure that nothing is going to get past him. It is a sight to behold how he continues to throw any and every part of him in front of the ball to ensure Adrian is fully protected in goal.

Antonio is getting stronger and more confident the more game time he has. He has already made a marked improvement on what I have seen so far this year and he is starting to get to grips with the pace of the game in the Premier league. I can’t see a place for Moses in the side other than to replace Antonia should he need to be rested for a fresh player to come on to run at the defence.

Obiang is someone who has slipped under the radar, but he is very very good and has not put a foot wrong at all. He should still be fresh having not played a lot of football this season so keep him in I say.

With the busy fixture period recently it is difficult to predict the side for the weekend ahead.

I am going to go out and say that Zarate will come in for Carroll, Obiang to retain his place for now with Kouyate, Ogbonna and Moses on the bench being rested and ready to come on if required.

So here is my predicted starting XI, who do you think should be in this weekend side?

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