If you’re reading this on your way to the Stadium of Light, so join in a chant on the five minute mark. West Ham supporters are being encouraged to sing “Bradley Lowery’s Claret & Blue Army”. Bradley is the little boy who Jermain Defoe has befriended. He’s got cancer and there’s a fundraising campaign to help him get specialist treatment unavailable in this country. More details on Claret & Hugh
Subs: Adrian, Rice, Cresswell, Calleri, Snodgrass, Fletcher, Nordtveit
If Harry Redknapp were West Ham’s manager today he’d be complaining about being down to the bare bones. Wide midfield is the only area where the team doesn’t pick itself because of injury or suspension.
In defence Sam Byram has recovered from his ankle injury and Aaron Cresswell is fit again, although I suspect he wil find it difficult to dislodge the impressive Arthur Masuaku. Indeed, it would unfair if he did.
Up front mystery surrounds Diafra Sakho. Despite being passed fit to play, he hasn’t travelled with the team. Quite bizarre as I suspect he may have got a start. Hopefully he’s not up to his old tricks.
In midfield Edimilson Fernandes will get a well deserved start alongside Kouyate as Mark Noble starts a two game suspension. Fernandes has impressed hugely in the games he has played in and deserves his chance. He’s one of those players who, once in the side, may be very difficult to dislodge. Bilic has already said that they have big plans for him next season.
Assuming Andy Carroll starts up front, which in itself is always a big assumption (!), it’s two from three with Ayew, Snodgrass and Feghouli vying for a place in the eleven. I predict Snodgrass may be the one to lose out.
Youngster Declan Rice travels with the squad as cover in central defence. he’s unlikely to start, but you never know.
Three points today and we reach 39 points and will probably climb back into the top half. We have some very tricky games coming up, so getting something out of this game is a must. Sunderland haven’t won for gazillions of games. But it would be just our luck if they turned us over today, wouldn’t it?
A lot of eyes will be on the performance of Sunderland central defender Kone. He is being linked with a transfer to us in the summer. My question is this: why on earth would be interested in a defender from a relegated team, when it has already shipped 56 goals. Admittedly, that’s one less than us. Similar arguments surround our apparent interest in their young keeper Jordan Pickford. It’s a funny old world.
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