West Ham United will face League Two Cheltenham Town this evening in a League Cup tie at the Boleyn Ground.
A home tie against lower league opposition should prove the perfect time for Sam Allardyce to blood his new signings and a few other well-known players who have not had any game time this season.
Players To Look Out For
1. Razvan Rat
The Romanian captain has been on the bench for the first two matches of the season, with Joey O’Brien starting at left-back instead of the highly experienced Rat, this should be the perfect time to give Rat a starting berth and his introduction into English football.
2. Adrian
The Spanish goalkeeper who arrived on a free transfer with a blossoming reputation has also been on the bench finding himself number 2 to experienced Jussi Jaaskelainen.
If Adrian is the future for West Ham between the sticks it would be nice to see him given a run in the League Cup.
3. Stewart Downing
Downing made a brief cameo against Cardiff as a substitute for his debut and followed that up with 65 minutes against Newcastle at the weekend.
Would be nice for Downing to get another 90 minutes for West Ham under his belt and get some confidence back which he has been missing since his Liverpool move went sour.
4. Ravel Morrison
Morrison was outstanding in pre-season and scored some cracking goals after his return from a season on loan at Birmingham.
Ravel came off the bench at Newcastle for a brief 15 minute appearance, but it would be good if the exciting midfield prospect got a full 90 minutes tonight to show Allardyce what he can do.
5. James Tomkins
We all know what Tonka is about but the excellent form of Winston Reid along with James Collins who is Allardyce’s preferred partner for Reid, Tomkins has seen very limited first team action for a while now.
When Tomkins came on the scene he looked like he could be the next Rio to come through the ranks, however with a few injuries and some bad form along with a horrible Olympic Games, Tomkins has looked lacking in confidence and tonight could be a good opportunity to show he has found some form and could push for a starting berth.
6. Alou Diarra
Diarra is West Ham’s forgotten man, what with his bizarre antics of last year suggesting he was never injured and Allardyce just hated him which is why he never played and the fact he was loaned out for half the season, we have not really seen much of Diarra at all.
The big French midfielder can play a holding role as well as fill a void in central defence, so it would be nice to see him get a run out as he will be needed over the course of the season with injuries etc.
7. Jack Collison
Collison has not even seen the bench so far this season which shows how strong West Ham’s squad is becoming. I am not sure Collison will ever be able to push for a starting berth unless we have multiple injuries, but it would be good for him to get some game time, even if it’s to put him in the shop window for a move away which may suit him at this stage of his career.
Do you think Allardyce should experiment with his selection tonight or go for a tried and tested team?
I think a mix of Kids and returning / new players.
Adrian
Spence Tomkins Reid Rat
Collison Diarra Diame Downing
Maiaga Lee
Subs
Potts
Moncur
Llegett
Turgott
Cole
Sure I have missed out some youngsters and some that could start but I would ditch Vaz te, Taylor and McCartney to free up wages and get some game time for the kids and some confidence with a goal or 2 for Maiaga tonight.
We will push on from here with a good cup run and finish 8th.
Nice team! Good mixture of players as well!
Your right on those players as well, I think there are at least 5 players we can ditch to free up some funds for one or two quality players!
Not interested in seeing Taylor get a game as he’s pants and Vaz Te could be on the move but will most likely get a game.
What about mat Taylor and Ricardo Vaz te?