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My West Ham XI

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With such a wealth of talent at Sam Allardyce’s disposal, Joshua Claydon talks us through his starting eleven.

In goal we have Robert Green, an experienced keeper for club and country. Green is always praised for his sensational shot stopping ability and leadership skills, a vocal goalkeeper is a must for any team and when watching Rob Green you can see he commands the defence. Green is currently in talks for a new contract at the moment and I think he can and will play a huge part in helping West ham back to the Premier League.

Across the defence we have the new recruitment on loan of George McCartney, whose energy up and down the sideline will no doubt create several chances for our attackers, which will obviously be a huge asset, this combined with assured defending will see him slot into left back perfectly. The youth in our centre backs is promising, James Tomkins and Winston Reid work superbly well together and have been some of our best players in our opening three games so far, the understanding between them and also between Rob Green is great to see. At right back I’d have Joey O’Brien who despite a frustrating time at Bolton with injuries, has started this campaign promisingly for the Irons and his goal against Watford Tuesday night shows what potential he has going forward, his goal was of individual brilliance and came at a crucial time in the match, I think he will be a huge player this year.

The midfield could give almost every Premier League team a good run for their money. Down the left wing is Matt Taylor who signed from Bolton this summer and has a great left foot which causes the opposition trouble from any dead ball situation. Taylor, I feel, will be pivotal in any success the Hammers have. West Ham have a trio of centre mid fielders that doesn’t belong in the Championship. Mark Noble who has West ham in his heart and always puts 100% in every game, a local hero who is always determined to win and this will play a big role to help for promotion. Next to Noble is the three time Hammer of the year Scott Parker who while also being an international is a fans favourite, Parker has a sensational work rate and a great appetite to win the ball. The final centre midfielder is new skipper Kevin Nolan who was signed from Newcastle and adds a goal scorer to the midfield and is a good leader. On the right side of midfield would be Jack Collison, who recently signed a new contract and is a superb player who has a great eye for a pass and a little through ball and every winning team needs this type of creative of player.

Upfront we have the huge presence of John Carew who is every defenders nightmare, with his height and strength it’s obvious the Norwegian poses a huge aerial threat. Most importantly though, Carew does have an eye for goal, and I wouldn’t be surprised to see him top the goal scoring charts this season.

Disagree with my formation or player choice? Let me know in the comment box below

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2 comments

  • Goatygav says:

    Not sure I’d go 4-5-1 at home mate. Also Carew’s not match fit so I’d start with CC and save JC for the Aldershot game.

    Congrats on a nice looking site Joshua – best of luck with it.
    COYI!

  • Banno says:

    I’d love to see us go with something different to a 4-5-1 but as we all know it is Allardyce’s preferred formation.

    I reckon it will be identical to the Watford game personally Green/Ilunga Reid Tomkins O’Brien/Noble Parker Nolan/Taylor Collison/Cole

    But I’d like to see this, Green/McCartney Reid Tomkins O’Brien/Noble Collison/Taylor Nolan Barrera/Cole

    In the formation I’ve put I’d like Nolan to be sitting just off Cole to provide him with crucial through balls and also attacking a little like another striker pushing forward, Taylor and Barrera provide natural width and both now how to cross a ball which should prove perfect foil for someone the size of Cole (or Carew when he comes on as he said he should be ready for Sunday so I’d expect him on the bench).

    People may be shocked I’ve left Parker out, but I think we need to be prepared for life without him, just in case and this will also build a strong playing relationship in the middle with Noble and Collison. I’d also like to see us attempt a 4-4-2 if the game is 0-0 by 65 minutes, to see if we can create more, whether that is Cole and Carew or even trying Sears as a second striker who does know where the goal is given the right chance, so he may shine you never know, it will be interesting to see the chosen line up!

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