Sam Inkersole has picked out Jack Wilshere as a West Ham player who must use the Carabao Cup game against Oxford United as an opportunity to impress Manuel Pellegrini.
The Football.London journalist claimed that Wilshere needs to remind the Chilean of his qualities after Pablo Fornals was the preferred option to replace the injured Manuel Lanzini in the 2-0 victory over Manchester United on Sunday.
Writing in his weekly West Ham power rankings, Inkersole admitted that £100,000-a-week playmaker [Spotrac], needs a big performance against Oxford when the Hammers travel to the KASSAM Stadium on Wednesday in the third-round tie.
“No change for the midfielder, who was left on the bench despite the injury to Manuel Lanzini as Pablo Fornals got the nod,” he wrote.
“Needs a big performance against Oxford to remind Pellegrini of his qualities.”
OPINION
Inkersole picking out Wilshere as a player who needs a big performance would suggest that Pellegrini will be looking to reintroduce the England international in the Carabao Cup. The 27-year-old has cemented a spot on the bench since starting the first two games of the Premier League season against both Manchester City and Brighton. Wilshere was played as a holding midfield after the injury to Mark Noble, and that role simply didn’t suit his style of play. The former Arsenal man would surely prefer being further forward as a playmaker, as he only managed 10 passes against Brighton. Wilshere was brought off the bench in the 2-0 win against Manchester United and nearly made more than 10 passes in only 10 minutes (8) according to WhoScored, as he excelled in an advanced role. Wilshere scored in the second-round tie against Newport, and Pellegrini will surely be wanting the same effect should he pick the midfielder in the Oxford game.
