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Four major changes as under pressure Slaven Bilic prepares for crunch Hull clash

West Ham United manager Slaven Bilic (REUTERS)
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Under pressure West Ham United boss Slaven Bilic will be forced into at least three major changes for the trip to Hull City but should make four.

West Ham United manager Slaven BilicWest Ham United manager Slaven Bilic

The Hammers are creaking towards the end of a disappointing second season under the Croatian after last term’s heroics.

No win in five and three defeats on the bounce has seen Bilic’s future called into question.

And he has not been helped by co-owner David Sullivan publicly apologising to supporters after the 3-2 loss to Leicester City last time out.

West Ham are 12th in the Premier League table and with just nine games left, there should be little chance of them being embroiled in a relegation battle.

That said a triple injury blow against the Foxes and a general lack of quality options in the squad could make for a nervy end to the campaign with the trip to Hull City up next on Saturday.

Bilic will be forced into three changes for the crunch game and should make another in a bid to get his side back on track.

West Ham United's James Collins celebrates scoring their first goalWest Ham United’s James Collins

Collins in for Reid

James Collins has dropped right down the pecking order under Bilic but remains a fans’ favourite. He will come into the side and form an experienced if ageing centre back partnership with fellow 33-year-old Jose Fonte after Winston Reid was ruled out for at least six weeks with a hamstring injury. The big worry here will be a distinct lack of pace and in all honesty West Ham should be in a position now to be blooding the likes of Reece Oxford without too much pressure. Instead the East Londoners still need a win or two to secure safety.

West Ham United's Mark NobleWest Ham skipper Mark Noble

Noble in for Obiang

Captain Mark Noble was given time off to recharge his batteries and missed the defeat to the Foxes. During that game Pedro Obiang, arguably West Ham’s player of the year, suffered a nasty injury and is out until next season. Noble has been criticised for his poor performances and while many will want to see exciting youngster Edimilson Fernandes come into the side in place of Obiang, there is not doubt Bilic will opt for Noble, who once played on loan for the Tigers.

West Ham United's Robert Snodgrass looks dejectedCould Robert Snodgrass kickstart his West Ham career against former club Hull

Snodgrass in for Antonio

Another major blow for Bilic is the loss of Obiang’s main rival for the Hammer of the Year award, Michail Antonio. The powerful England winger is out for around five weeks which leaves West Ham looking very one-paced all of a sudden. It will be a toss up between Sofiane Feghouli and Robert Snodgrass as to who replaces Antonio but the Scotland international – who has been very poor since signing from Hull in January – will most likely get the nod against his old team.

West Ham United's Adrian looks dejectedAdrian deserves another chance in the Hammers side

Adrian in for Randolph

There is not too much to choose between Adrian and Darren Randolph and most supporters feel neither is good enough to be the number one beyond this season. But while Adrian is prone to a rush of blood to the head, Randolph is not as good as the Spaniard, particularly when it comes to coming for crosses and dominating his six yard box, as has been demonstrated in back-to-back 3-2 defeats to Bournemouth and Leicester.

West Ham predicted line-up to face Hull: