West Ham United will travel to Vicarage Road to take on Watford on Sunday afternoon in what will be David Moyes’ first match in charge.
The atmosphere will be heated for the Hammers as they will look to arrest some diabolical form where they haven’t won in four Premier League games – and lost their last match 4-1 to Liverpool.
For his part, David Moyes will want to lay down a marker upon his return to Premier League management, and even though he won’t have rugged centre-back James Collins, wing-wonder Michail Antonio and star striker Javier Hernandez, there is still be plenty of talent available to him.
So how will West Ham line-up? Read on and find out!
Goalkeeper: Joe Hart
There’s no real question here, is there? Joe Hart may not be as good as he thinks he is, or as good as he so desperately wants to be, but he’s still a superb shot-stopper.
Right-back: Sam Byram
The former Leeds United man is a freight train up and down the West Ham right-flank, and his ability to play as a winger or full-back means that he could be a crucial outlet under Moyes.
Centre-back: Winston Reid
Winston Reid arrived back from international duty later than his teammates, but Moyes still expects him to play. The Kiwi is an experienced veteran who should provide key leadership at the back as the new coach focuses on defensive solidity.
Centre-back: Angelo Ogbonna
The Italian defender has never quite reached the potential he displayed as a youngster, but he’s still a wonderfully robust centre-back who can handle himself physically and technically.
Left-back: Aaron Cresswell
David Moyes has always liked to emphasise his full-backs (consider Leighton Baines and Seamus Coleman’s successes under him), and Aaron Cresswell is the kind of natural full-back talent who could thrive.
Defensive midfield: Mark Noble
There’s no doubt Moyes is going to play Noble, right? It would be bafflingly out of character for him not to, such is the Moyes-ness of Mark Noble’s aggressive midfield play.
Defensive midfield: Pedro Obiang
Obiang is a classy defensive midfielder who one can see Moyes making great use of, in the same way that he once used Mikel Arteta. Obiang is a tough defender and a capable passer who should anchor the West Ham side well.
Attacking midfield: Cheikhou Kouyaté
Former West Ham manager Slaven Bilic had been using Kouyaté as a third centre-back, but the Senegalese is able to play all up and down the pitch and it would be very Moyes for him to play the 6’4 no. 8 as an attacking midfielder, much as he used Marouane Fellaini. Kouyaté is an incredibly skilled player and if deployed correctly can do a lot of damage in forward areas.
Right-wing: André Ayew
With Antonio on the sidelines, Moyes will likely call upon the experience of André Ayew on the West Ham right. Given Byram’s nature, Ayew will have license to cut inside on his left-foot where he can do damage.
Left-wing: Manuel Lanzini
This guy is probably the first name on the team sheet – there’s a reason that Lanzini is the subject of transfer speculation, with a number of top clubs said to be mulling over bids when the transfer window opens in a few weeks. Not only will Lanzini have to play, but his West Ham team will have to up their game to ensure that there’s enough in it to encourage the Argentinian to stay.
Striker: Andy Carroll
Come on, it has to be him. He can look like a gangly giraffe with weird hair, but throw some crosses into the box and watch Andrew Thomas Carroll feast on his opponents.
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