Seven players under assessment for Hammers clash

I will be surprised who we have but I think we will win folks!

Sounds like every week, Steavey!

WeÂ’re just not going to know whoÂ’s fit until Saturday. Howard, Distin and Jags are set. Up front, we have enough talent with Lukaku, Naismith, EtoÂ’o and McGeady to cause trouble. The big question marks are the midfield and the fullbacks.

Is Osman still capable of playing a full match without running out of gas?

If McCarthy canÂ’t go, are Besic and Barkley ready to step it up a notch and take control of the centre of the pitch?

If not Baines, then who?

IÂ’m not going to make any predictions until I know which Everton is going take the field.

I think we will nick a win, however, as they may miss a few key players and we have a bit more depth to our squad. If fitness tests are failed...

The team: Howard; Hibbert, Distin, Jagielka, Browning, Besic; Barkley, McGeady; Osman; Naismith, Lukaku.

(That is the team I think Bobby would play but I would probably opt for EtoÂ’o in behind the front two in a 4-3-1-2 formation.)

IÂ’m really looking forward to the game and hope we attack them with a little more urgency than we have been doing of late.

It’s a shame that Gibbo is out as well (although not really a surprise) but we should have enough to match West Ham. Other than left-back, the back five are pretty much the same (I am assuming Coleman, Jags and Distin will all start). So central midfield is the big question – who plays next to Besic.

IÂ’m not knocking Osman but I hope itÂ’s not him... yet I have a feeling itÂ’s going to be, as RM has played him there before... On the other hand, it may be good to have an experienced head next to Besic in the middle but Ossie gets brushed off the ball so easily... tough one.

I would be tempted to play a 4-4-1-1 with Coleman at right midfield and Browning or Hibbo at right back. Besic and Ossie central midfield and McGeady at left midfield and Garbutt at left back (assuming Baines and Oviedo canÂ’t make it.) Barkley and one of EtoÂ’o or Lukaku up front.

The midfield would be a bit light in the middle but Barkley would hopefully keep them on their toes with Besic and Osman playing more defensive. Good options on the bench.

Not an ideal line-up but looking at our squad, we only seem to have four midfielders fit!

Howard
Browning Distin Jagielka Hibbert
Besic Osman
Barkley McGeady
Naismith Lukaku

Doubtfuls: Coleman, Baines, McCarthy, Barry, Gibson, Pienaar, Mirallas.

Hardly a crisis just because we had to call on ONE junior player at left back, surely?

Leon did well at central midfield last year against Chelsea... much better stats, interceptions, no dribble pasts, higher number of tackles etc than Gareth for that game; it was easier for him facing the play.

However, I fancy Besic and one of Gibson or McCarthy (one has to make it surely).

At home, I would go for Ross and Romelu and McGeady and Atsu on wing to start with and Mirallas on after 60 mins EtoÂ’o, Baines and Osman saved for Wolfsgurg

Lukaku must also be more involved and spend more time in his supposed position instead of being elsewhere when the crosses come into the area. I would like to see Atsu get more playing time with EtoÂ’o.

West Ham have done well so far this season so, if we are as weakened as we are expected to be against Big Sams Â’strong armÂ’ tactics, everyone playing must give 100%.

Also, I hope Eto’o starts – I’m looking forward to him meeting up with his old pal Alex Song.

Team for Saturday assuming fitness:
Howard
Coleman Jagielka Browning Distin
Besic McCarthy
Barkley
McGeady Lukaku Osman

Subs for second half:
Garbutt for Browning
EtoÂ’o for McGeady
Pienaar for McCarthy or Osman depending on fitness.

I cannot really see RM playing Distin at left back although this will really test RMÂ’s commitment to giving youth a chance. As playing Distin at left back and Browning would mean changing half the back line, whereas giving Garbutt the left-back role would only mean changing one position, with Browning as replacement on the bench.

It would also be a blow for Garbutt if he couldn’t start with both Baines and Oviedo likely out – the guy needs to be given a chance at some point.

On the post itself outta all the palyers possibly out the biggest misses for us has to be Bainesy and McCarthy as I expect Coleman to play especially if he played the other day for his country.

I know we will miss Barry hugely but if ever there was a time for Mo to step up its now and give RM a selection headache when he returns, I see this as his biggest chance to get his feet under the table so to speak and get a good run under his belt and show us what he has shown in glimpses pre-season and to date.

Looking forward to having Barkley back firing on all cylinders too and once he and Mirallas are back performing together with a fit first 11 I feel we can kick on and have a great second half of the season.

Onwards and upwards. COYB & Â’The BomberÂ’

Denis, given the current resources, in the absence of Pienaar Mirallas and the relative poor form of Atsu, I think we have to play narrow with the full backs overlapping to give width.

There again, RM will make the decision so my post is only my thoughts....

Is all the animosity between them for real or is it played up? It's pretty convincing either way, he's got a job as an actor when he packs up if he doesn't mean it.