Well, football is back again. West Ham fans are in store for yet another week of misery and humiliation, and embarrassment…probably.
Whilst it still seems that Manuel Pellegrini will take charge of yet another match week, teams that are also in a similar position to West Ham look to be taking action, something we are renowned for not doing.
The Hammers come into another London derby, this time with a tricky visit to high-flying Chelsea, with Lampard beginning to install a philosophy within the club that West Ham fans can only dream of; attacking football and utilising a youth academy to its highest potential.
Of course, any form of result as of late looks bleak, with a manager who looks like he’s lost the dressing room, and a keeper who couldn’t catch a cold. Still, this is football and the unexpected can always happen, and so attention turns to Saturday.
Here is the team I believe Pellegrini will select for the trip to Chelsea:
GK - Joseph Anang
ITK’s have been reporting the involvement of both David Martin and U23 keeper Joseph Anang heavily within training this week. Within Anang not travelling with the U23s, this could be a sign for the youngster to take his chance.
RB - Ryan Fredericks
Perhaps lucky not to be suspended after the Tottenham game, but Fredericks keeps his place.
CB - Angelo Ogbonna
Ogbonna on the scoresheet yet again last week – he has probably scored more than the 20 odd strikers Gold and Sullivan have brought in over the years!
CB - Issa Diop
Not sure why Diop was taken off during the last game. Keep an eye on Balbuena, who could also take this spot.
LB - Aaron Cresswell
It should be Masuaku… but this is Pellegrini.
CDM - Declan Rice
Rice was outstanding in the first half and before being moved back into centre-back. Hopefully, this is him returning to form.
CM - Mark Noble
Noble showed glimpses of quality and what he can bring to this side against Tottenham. More of the same, please.
CM - Felipe Anderson
This is probably more wishful thinking, but Anderson on the left is clearly not being utilised to the best of his ability. A central role allows him more creativity, something that West Ham lack following the injury to Lanzini.
RW - Michail Antonio
We have missed this man. The only player who really tried, and look what happened.
LW - Robert Snodgrass
With Anderson in a central role, this moves Snodgrass out wide. Hopefully this position allows him to whip crosses into Haller, something we really haven’t done this season.
ST - Sebastien Haller
Frustrated, but who can blame him? Hopefully some changes in the system can give him the service he deserves.