It’s difficult to make a case for Sam Allardyce to ring the changes to today’s Premier League home meeting with Newcastle United.
The victory at Cardiff last week was the best possible way to boost confidence within the squad, as well as the return of Andy Carroll. And with the news that Ravel Morrison will be in the squad following a groin injury, there’s finally a reason believe we can begin pulling away from the drop zone.
Sam Allardyce admitted in an interview with The Sun this morning that Andy Carroll is still a few weeks from starting a game, but having him on the bench obviously the next best thing. His impact off the bench against Cardiff turned out to be match-winning, so we can expect to see him introduced some time in the second half.
James Collins returns from injury and should come in for the suspended James Tonmkins, while Razvan Rat could come in for Guy Demel, who was stretched off last weekend with severe concussion.
The only big question is whether Allardyce chooses to start Ravel Morrison or not. He needs a big performance and perhaps a must-win game could be his chance to shine again. Other than that, Carlton Cole should start instead of Modibo Maiga, and Mark Noble will keep the armband in Kevin Nolan’s absence.
Here’s how we think Allardyce may line-up at the Boleyn Ground this afternoon…
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And here’s how the fans think Allardyce should approach things…
@WestHamWorld Adrian; Demel, Johnson, Collins, Rat; Diarra, Jarvis, Downing, Noble, Morrison; Cole
— Johnny (@JohnEddy1) January 18, 2014
@WestHamWorld – Adrian; JOB, Johnson, McCartney, Rat; Jarvis, Noble, Diame, J. Cole, Downing; C. Cole — Jay Williams (@JayJWillo) January 18, 2014
@WestHamWorld Adrian, O’Brien, Johnson, McCartney, Rat, Jarvis, Diame, Noble, Ravel, Downing, Carroll. — ⚒ArmchairHammer⚒ (@WestHam_Rayner) January 18, 2014
@WestHamWorld adrian Collins rat McCartney Johnson noble diame downing Jarvis C.cole collison
— LilyFenton.F1 (@lily_fenton) January 18, 2014
How do you think we’ll line-up against Newcastle this afternoon? Should Ravel Morrison start? Let us know in the comments section below.
