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The West Ham XI that SHOULD face Burnley on Saturday

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Celebration West HamAt long last, proper football is back this weekend as West Ham United travel up north to Lancashire to take on Burnley.

Sam Allardyce will look to build on what has been a promising start for the east end club. Ten points from seven games represents a start that is of stark contrast to that of last season. The Hammers found themselves stuck on ten points through to the end of November last time out.

It is a points tally that Allardyce and his troops will want to get past as quickly as possible. If the Hammers continue their fine form they will kick on further up the table and into the European places.

An away trip against Burnley will be seen as a game the Irons should win given their fine start. But as we all know that isn’t necessarily the ‘West Ham way’, so it is important that Sam Allardyce selects the right starting XI.

As you know my dream is to announce the starting eleven at the game, so here is my eleven for Saturdays clash at Turf Moor.

If I were Mr. Allardyce I wouldn’t change the formation that is working so well for the Irons. So we will line up in the 4-1-2-1-2 formation.

In goal for the Hammers is the ever reliable and slightly mad Spaniard, Adrian. The former Real Betis man has now firmly nailed down that number one jersey (yes I am well aware he wears number 13.) Though not as consistent as last season Mr. San Miguel is still the best keeper at the club and will almost certainly be between the sticks on Saturday.

At right back, either Guy Demel/ Carl Jenkinson- If the Arsenal loanee is fit, his pace and attack minded mentality would prove fruitful at Turf Moor. But the young England man was forced to miss England’s Under- 21 play off clash with Croatia last week due to his troublesome hamstring. If Jenkinson is missing, the Hammers have a ready-made replacement in Guy Demel who will provide solid enough cover whilst ‘Jenko’ is missing.

It is fairly obvious who the two starting centre-backs will be James Tomkins and Winston Reid kept their maiden clean sheet of the season last time out against QPR and will look to build on that this week.

Aaron Cresswell, has been the surprise of the season so far for me alongside fellow new signing Diafra Sakho. Doubts surrounded him when he joined from Ipswich Town with the pressure on him to grab that left back spot and make it his own, and boy has the Liverpool born man done that. He starts again in my starting eleven.

In that oh so important holding role, is another former Arsenal man, Alex Song, another solid summer signing from Allardyce and his scouts. Song, who has been made captain for recent clashes at Old Trafford and against QPR, is the perfect foil for Mark Noble and Morgan Amalfitano who will be pushed further forward. Song also brings that potential killer ball from that role; his experience of breaking up play and his range of passing could prove crucial on Saturday.

In the centre of the park there is plenty of experience, as the returning Mark Noble will line up next to Frenchman Morgan Amalfitano. Noble will play slightly deeper to allow the former West Brom man Amalfitano to roam with Stewart Downing behind the striker. By doing this it will allow the Hammers to break at pace and get at a Burnley back four who have been hard to break down.

In behind the striker is my Hammer of the Year so far Stewart Downing. The man looks like a new player in his new role, and is easily the first name on the team sheet at the moment. His range of passing and his swagger at the moment is delightful to see. So at the tip of the diamond is Stewart Downing.

Scoring the goals, and playing up top, is the man on fire at the minute Diafra Sakho who will look to continue his fine start, and pick me up some more Fantasy Football points. Sakho who joined from FC Metz in the summer has bagged five goals in his first five starts in claret and blue so far.

Alongside him is where the only dilemma for Sam Allardyce is, with Enner Valencia only returning to the squad on Thursday having played for Ecuador in the USA this week, where he scored three goals in two games including a screamer against the USA. It is down to Allardyce to decide if Enner is fit enough to start, if not the Hammers will have to choose between Mauro Zarate and Carlton Cole, from what I have seen this season, I would see what Mauro can do as a striker.

“So this is the way we line up West Ham United.”

Adrian

Demel/Jenkinson Reid Tomkins Cresswell

Song

Noble                      Amalfitano

Downing

Sakho                     Zarate

Tweet me your team to @Bowdenwhu or comment below!

Come on you Irons!

Bowdenwhu Predicts: Burnley 1-2 West Ham United

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3 comments

  • Stockporthammer says:

    David,
    nice call. Like the lot. Def agree with giving Zarate a shout. Burnley should have a go from the off esp @ home. If not but we nick an early goal then they will have to chase the game. With so much praise on our 2 main forwards of late, Mauro will want to reproduce his Crystal Palace away form to remind big Sam what he can do. I expect him to be fresh, motivated and really exciting to watch today. Bring Valencia on for Zarate on the hour and give Jarvis 15-20 for Amalfitano.
    Think if we get an early goal we’ll cut them open time and again so I’m going for a 4-1 win with Zarate getting the opener. Bookies aren’t giving us respect yet so should get decent odds.
    P.S. Club have sent 1000 of 4100 allocation back so for all you North West Hammers reading this get your arse down to Turf Moor, get some grub down at the Queen Vic and pay cash on the door. Your team needs YOU!!!!

  • Frankie boy says:

    Noble instead of Kouyate? If Kouyate is still injured then yes but otherwise no.

  • Stockporthammer says:

    Zarate 1st goal West Ham 4-1 452-1@Coral including 33% bonus. COYI!!!!

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