Is this Bilic’s best XI for the Newcastle game?

There’s a lot of anticipation surrounding the Monday night visit of Newcastle United. The business completed on deadline day means that the Hammers now have one of the best and most in-depth squads in recent years.

Although home form has been poor so far, Bilic must fancy his side to collect all three points against a team that has struggled so far this season.

The manager will have a very strong squad to choose from, with Adrian the only big absentee as he serves the last of his three-match ban due to his dismissal against Leicester City.

It is always difficult to change a winning team but West Ham have not performed well at home when the diamond has been used so far this season. It has been said a lot recently, but West Ham’s current team is well-built for away fixtures. Pace and power on the break has led to us defending with discipline before hitting teams hard on the counter.

It has not been the same story at home. This is why Bilic has brought in wide men, to add a different attacking dynamic to the side. Many are calling for Moses and Antonio to start but that would probably mean dropping Lanzini to the bench, something that may not be part of the manager’s thinking following the Argentine’s exceptional performance at Liverpool.

With that thought in mind, this is the team that could start against Newcastle:

Starting from the back, James Tomkins features ahead of Carl Jenkinson at right-back. His performances against Arsenal and Liverpool merit this opportunity as he has proved to be a solid player so far. Carl Jenkinson is a fantastic player but Tomkins’ inclusion in the starting line-up could be the wake-up call Jenkinson needs.

In midfield, both Noble and Kouyate can provide sufficient cover for the attacking midfield trio ahead of them. Obiang could be in with a shout to start ahead of either midfielders due to his recent form but once again the formation shows that West Ham have a lot of options to choose from.

In a more attacking sense, Antonio gets the nod ahead of Victor Moses simply because the former has played a few games already this season. With four league games and two goals, he is certainly a man in form and giving him his first Premier League start should give him some real confidence to go out and impress.

On the right-hand side, Lanzini keeps his place after his excellent display against Liverpool. He is not an out-and-out winger like Antonio but he is still more than capable of providing the width West Ham will need against the Magpies.

Up front remains Sakho. He’ll be keen to score again after his late goal at Anfield and with the service from out wide and through the middle, he should get his chances.

Obviously this is just a prediction of who will start but there are plenty of options for Bilic to choose from. He may see how the team copes with playing the diamond once more, leaving the wingers as a potential ‘plan B’.

As well as the midfield, there is also the addition of Andy Carroll who will hopefully get a chance to impress against his boyhood club at some point on Monday night.

If the Hammers can stay solid at the back, three points should be a realistic aim for the side as they search for their first home win this season.

Do you agree with the team? Who would you pick? Comment below