The selection today will be largely be dictated by injuries. Both Ravel Morrison and James Collins have knocks and are unlikely to feature. The main bone of contention will be who partners James Tomkins. It may well be George McCartney again, but in an ideal world he would be rested for this fixture. Personally I would play Alou Diarra there. He’s fit again and I believe he has played in that position in France. He certainly has the physical stature which McCartney does not.
Again, in an ideal world, Carlton Cole would remain up front, having scored 2 in 2. But with his dodgy knees it would be asking a lot for him to play two games in three days. Otherwise, because of injuries, the team more or less picks itself. And doesn’t that illustrate the problem? I wonder, though, if there is a possibility of Andy Carroll making the bench. It really would give everyone a lift.
If we don’t get three points this afternoon it is safe to say that there will be serious calls for Sam Allardyce to be replaced, probably by Malky Mackay. We’ll address that particular subject on the site tomorrow.
RESULT OF THE JUSSI V ADRIAN POLL
I am quite surprised by this. 400 of you voted in the poll to express your goalkeeping preference. Adrian won out over Jussi by 55% to 45%. Seeing as Jussi has had 8 clean sheets this season, you’d have thought this was one position you wouldn’t want to change personnel in. Our problems are not in defence. They lie in the fact we can’t score goals. If you have a tight back four, surely you don’t change it?
PS West Ham have released Mladen Petric after only three months and three substitute appearances according to the Daily Mirror.
UPDATE 12 noon: Team is Jaaskelainen, O’Brien, Tomkins, McCartney, Rat, Diame, Noble, Nolan, J Cole, Jarvis, C Cole
Subs Adrian, Collison, Maiga, Taylor, Diarra, Demel, Chambers