Having now found out that the Hammers will be facing Blackpool in the Play-Off Final on May 19th at Wembley Stadium, plans can begin for the fans to gettheir tickets and work out how their day will go. With West Ham 100% expectedto sell out their end, the hope that Blackpool may return a few tickets is onthe lips of Hammers fans, who no doubt will turn Wembley into a claret and bluesea.
But forget plans about our day, what about Big Sam and the players? They have to plan as if it was just another game against a team in and around them in the league,which just happens to be a team we have beaten 4-0 and 4-1 this season. But should that effect how West Ham set up? Should the team even be changed after two great wins over Cardiff? Here is my XI for Wembley…
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Goalkeeper –Rob Green
Obviously Green will play in what could be an even more significant game for him as if you believe the word on the street (Twitter) then it will be his last for the club.Whether West Ham go up or not, it has been reported that Green has rejected a new contract and will become a free agent in the summer. Either way, we need a big performance from our number one at Wembley especially if the dreaded word penalties comes about.
Defence – GuyDemel, Winston Reid, James Tomkins, George McCartney
For me the best centre half pairing in the Championship, Reid and Tomkins look in superb form, preventing Cardiff from any chances in the Play-off semi finals and deserve to be playing at a higher level next season. Demel has made the right back slot his own after injuries to Julian Faubert and Joey O’Brien allowed him to show us what he can do and he hasn’t disappointed. The one change to the back four I would make is to bring back McCartney. Voted Players Player of theYear, McCartney has been terrific this season and I feel we have missed his defensive prowess on the left hand side when Taylor has filled in. Now fully fit back from injury, McCartney and Demel will have big jobs to do keeping the two Blackpool playmakers (Tom Ince and Matty Phillips) quiet.
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Midfield –Mark Noble, Kevin Nolan, Gary O’Neil
I am going to be positive and say West Ham line up in a 4-3-3 formation, with width being key. I am no doctor but I don’t see Jack Collison being fit for the final so I have gone for Gary O’Neil over Henri Lansbury in the centre of the pitch to add some real work rate and desire that games like this can be won and lost on.Player of the Year, Mark Noble and joint top goalscorer Kevin Nolan are no brainers in the middle, adding their necessary qualities in a game that couldbe a midfield battle with the likes of Barry Ferguson lining up for Blackpool.
Forwards – RicardoVaz Te, Carlton Cole, Matty Taylor
Like I said an attacking three would be the positive way to look at West Ham’s current lineups, especially against a Blackpool side that will allow us to attack them to some extent. Vaz Te has not been on top form in the last few games, but he is abig game player and I fully expect him to make a real difference. Pushing Taylor up from left back to the left side of a front three, for me, makes sense as his delivery is often impeccable and he also has the brain and power to track back and help out McCartney if needed. I am not a big Carlton Cole fan and if I were Sam Allardyce I would have given Nicky Maynard a lot more football over the past two months, however Cole has scored a few goals in recent weeks and especially away at Cardiff, lead the line brilliantly with the support of Nolan and Vaz Te. Start with Cole, but Maynard is always there to add more pace and a genuine goal threat if needed.
Subs –Henderson, Faye, Faubert, Lansbury, Maynard
Disagree?What would your XI be? Let me know below or on Twitter: @Brad_Pinard
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I like McCartney but he should only be considered for the starting line-up if Collison is ruled out. Then it would indeed make sense to have Linda at left back and push Taylor forward. In Jack’s absence an equally valid set-up would be to keep Taylor at left back and bring in Lansbury to the midfield.
However if Collison is fit then there is no place for McCartney imho. Mc Cartney is a better defensive player but Taylor is the better offensive one by far and more importantly is better suited to the system that we have utilised to such good effect in recent weeks. If Jack is fit then we can put our best line-up out. If not, then McCartney might get a game.
Agree but with davewhu amends. Irons!
Think Taylor has done amazing at left back. His delivery is world class but I feel we will be more balanced shifting Taylor to left attack and McCartney left back. Ince and Phillips are their main players for Blackpool so would like to see Taylor and McCartney, and demel and vaz Te Mark them out of the game, then we can counter attack with cole, Nolan and noble and send us to the premier league COYI
Only disagree with the forward line. I would have Maynard alongside, Vaz Te and Cole. Vaz Te would be free to roam both flanks and Cole’s strength coupled with Maynard’s pace and finishing ability would scare the heck out of Blackpool. Whatever line up it is really there for West Ham to lose rather than Blackpool win if we don’t prepare properly psychologically against a team we have destroys twice this season.
I FEEL SORRY 4 SAMMY BALDOCK, POOR SOD CAN’T BREAK INTO THE TEAM, THE ABOVE TEAM MENTIONED WOULD START FOR ME. BU I WOULD SWAP FAUBERT FOR SAMMY BALDOCK, AS HE LOVES TO RUN AT PLAYERS, AND BELEVE ME THIS WILL BE A VERY FAST GAME, AND LEGS WILL TIRE, THEN WE CAN UNLEASH HIS HUNGER TO SCORE THE WINNER
It is not going to be as ‘gun ho’ as West Ham fans believe. McCartney at LB is logical. I personally don’t feel Baldock has done enough but I do like him. Shame we can’t have 7 subs this season as he would have had more football this season.
green
Mcartney reid tomkins demel
noble lansbury
maynard o’neil
vaz te cole