An interesting selection dilemma for Slaven Bilic today. Does he rest some of the players who played in Romania on Thursday or does he try to field his strongest side? There are worrying reports that Andy Carroll has picked up yet another knock and could be out for a few weeks and also it is reported that Payet is not fit enough to start. I pray neither of those reports turn out to be true. It’s almost criminal that Diafra Sakho, who earns £40k a week isn’t fit to take his chance in the first eleven. There are rumours that we are in for Wilfried Bony, who has been cleared to leave Manchester City. Let’s hope there’s something in that.
The other issue will be whether Antonio continues up front or Bilic hauls him back to right back. I can’t see why he would do that when Sam Byram hasn’t let anyone down whenever he has played. Kouyate is out, so will either be replaced by Nordtveit or Obiang, hopefully the latter.
So assuming the reports are true about Carroll and Payet, this is how I imagine West Ham will line up…
Adrian, Masuaku, Byram, Reid, Collins, Noble, Obiang, Tore, Valencia, Calleri, Antonio
Subs: Randolph, Ogbonna, Oxford, Nordtveit, Burke, Payet, Fletcher
There’s no doubt that a good win this afternoon will lift everyone. There seems to be a bit of a mood of despondency surrounding our start to the season so far. This afternoon could change that, but we all know that Bournemouth are a good side and it will not be an easy game to win.
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