Team News: The starting XI West Ham must use to face Swansea City

Saturday marks the biggest game of our season so far.

Five defeats in a row, seven without a win; we really are in trouble now.

Some will claim they could see this coming way back in January but, after a string of good performances over the festive period and leading in to February, we looked to be showing signs of challenging for a top 10 finish after the early season fears of a relegation battle.

But now we definitely do find ourselves in a relegation battle, meaning we cannot afford anything other than three points against Swansea on Saturday.

Swansea are third bottom and two points from safety, they’re five points adrift of us. Beating them would take us eight points clear of the bottom three, perhaps even nine points if you take our far superior goal difference in to account.

However, after a string of poor performances in recent weeks, real changes need to be made if we’re to turn this around. Rumour has it that Bilic will lose his job if we lose again, which means he needs to make it work.

So we’ve suggested an XI that features just two changes to the starting XI that lost to Arsenal on Wednesday but should definitely have enough to keep us well clear of the drop zone and keep Bilic in a job…

CLICK HERE TO REVEAL THE XI TO FACE SWANSEA

13. Adrian

Randolph has allowed the same mistakes in to his game that saw Adrian dropped earlier this season, so now it’s time to revert back to the norm and bring a bit more passion in to the side. For all his faults, Adrian offers the kind of fight we need at this stage of this season and is arguably the better keeper.

26. Arthur Masuaku

Aaron Cresswell is out injured, which means Masuaku gets another opportunity to show us all he’s capable of being an important player for us. He hasn’t really done that just yet, but there’s still time.

23. Jose Fonte

One of the most underwhelming signings in recent times, despite the initial feeling that he’d be a solid addition to our defence. Having been captain for Southampton for so many years, he has the leadership qualities to be given the armband against Swansea, and he should use the responsibility to tighten up our leaky back four.

19. James Collins

He’s only getting a game because of injuries to Winston Reid and Angelo Ogbonna but he is capable of being a real rock at the back when he’s on his game. He’ll start and should play a part in keep Llorente or Jordan Ayew quiet.

22. Sam Byram

Finally getting his chance in the first team after seemingly being ignored as the club’s only fit right-back for so long. He is a good player but lack of game time will have knocked his confidence and a long run of games should improve that and get him back up to his best.

8. Cheikhou Kouyate

Kouyate will be tasked with protecting the back four and keeping Sigurdsson quiet, which is no easy feat. If he can do that then it’ll give the rest of the midfield the chance to get forward more.

10. Manuel Lanzini

Lanzini needs to be our creative spark, as he has been on so many occasions this season. If given free reign just behind the striker he can cause real damage, and I wouldn’t be surprised to see him on the scoresheet.

20. Andre Ayew

Ayew still has a lot to prove and he’ll be even more desperate to make a difference against his former club on Saturday. His first West Ham goal came against Swansea in the 4-1 win on Boxing Day and you can expect him to be more lively than normal this weekend.

31. Edimilson Fernandes

Fans have been calling for Fernandes to be handed a much deserved start for weeks now and this is the weekend he should be handed his chance to impress. He has showed promise when appearing off the bench in recent weeks and, if Kouyate can play a defensive role in the centre of the park, Fernandes can be the man to give some energy and promise to our midfield.

30. Michail Antonio

Antonio offers pace and goals so if he’s feeling better after coming off through illness against Arsenal then he needs to start.

9. Andy Carroll

Andy Carroll loves a goal against Swansea and if on his game, he should have a lot of fun bullying the worst defence in the Premier League. If we win, expect Carroll to be on the scoresheet at least once.

The Formation…