Slaven Bilic must once again make changes to his West Ham United side for the crucial match against Stoke City on Saturday afternoon.
West Ham United manager Slaven Bilic
The Hammers slipped to a sixth defeat from their first 10 Premier League games when they lost 2-0 to Everton at Goodison Park last time out.
The defeat was made all the more frustrating by the fact the Hammers could not make their first half dominance pay at Goodison Park with a series of missed chances.
It brought an abrupt halt to Slaven Bilic’s mini-revival which had seen the East Londoners go four games unbeaten and win three in a row including the 2-1 EFL Cup triumph over rivals Chelsea.
As a result of the defeat to the Toffees West Ham have slipped down to 17th place in the Premier League table, one place and three points outside the relegation zone with over a quarter of the season gone.
Stoke City manager Mark Hughes and West Ham manager Slaven Bilic
They face a resurgent Stoke side at the controversial London Stadium knowing a win is vital to ease the pressure once again going into the November international break.
And Bilic looks set to make at least three changes, one enforced, for the visit of Mark Hughes’ men, who themselves will be without key dup Marko Arnautovic and Xherdan Shaqiri.
West Ham’s James Collins
Collins in for Reid
Bilic will not want to ditch his new wingback system just yet after an encouraging first half at Everton and with star defender Winston Reid out through suspension – although he is injured anyway – James Collins looks set for a recall.
The Ginger Pele, as he is affectionately known to Hammers fans, lost his place after some poor performances earlier this season and will need to be on his game to prove he still has a future at this level despite recently signing a new two-year contract.
West Ham United’s Michail Antonio in action at Everton
Antonio back on the wing
Michail Antonio seems to play everywhere but his favoured right wing position nowadays but should revert back there for the visit of Stoke.
The powerful attacker worked his socks off and ran hard at Goodison Park but kept making poor decisions in good positions.
He could forge a formidable partnership down West Ham’s right-hand side with emerging talent Edimilson Fernandes, who has been excellent since breaking into the team at wing back.
Andre Ayew ready to start after featuring as a sub in West Ham’s last two games
Ayew in for Lanzini or Noble
Lanzini – like many others including Dimitri Payet and skipper Mark Noble – was particularly poor in the second half against the Toffees.
Although the little Argentine is key for Bilic’s side in the transitions, Pedro Obiang’s presence and form in midfield mean he is most likely to drop out to make way for Antonio to drop back onto the right hand side.
That will give Bilic the chance to hand a start to £20 million summer signing Andre Ayew who has appeared as a second half sub in the last two games as he steps up his recovery from a long-term thigh injury.
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