Eight changes David Moyes must make for Man City to keep West Ham’s season alive and kicking ahead of a huge fortnight.
Ahead of the daunting trip to Manchester City, many pundits and fans believe West Ham need a minor miracle to get a result.
In fairness it’s easy to see why after West Ham’s dismal defeat to Palace last time out and amid Man City’s relentless form.
The Hammers are standing at a major crossroads for their season.
After Man City, West Ham welcome Man United to the London Stadium in the Premier League. The Red Devils have been out of sorts of late. So that is being viewed as a much more winnable match.
Then AZ Alkmaar come to town for the first leg of West Ham’s huge Europa Conference League semi-final.
Hammers at crossroads of most important period of recent times
Potentially crucial games against Brentford and Leeds then sandwich the second leg of the European tie over in Holland.
The situation – and clear signs of fatigue against Liverpool and Palace – has sparked debate over what David Moyes should do with his team selection for the Man City match.
Many supporters feel the Scot should rest a host of key players at the Etihad and use his squad with more than one eye on what is to come.
Moyes was criticised for failing to give key players enough rest at the same time last year when West Ham were gearing up for their Europa League semi-final.
Eight changes David Moyes must make for Man City to keep West Ham’s season alive and kicking ahead of huge fortnight
So here’s the eight changes Moyes must make for Man City to keep West Ham’s season alive and kicking ahead of a huge fortnight.
Moyes will be forced into one change for Man City with Kurt Zouma out injured.
But he should make EIGHT changes to save his players from burnout ahead of the most important period in the recent history of West Ham United.
Vladimir Coufal, Nayef Aguerd and Kurt Zouma should be replaced by Ben Johnson, Thilo Kehrer and Angelo Ogbonna in defence.
A change is as good as a rest
Declan Rice and Tomas Soucek should be replaced by Manuel Lanzini and Flynn Downes in changes four and five.
Pablo Fornals should play in his favoured central role in place of Lucas Paqueta for West Ham. Said Benrahma should then come in on the left in change number six.
Jarrod Bowen – like Rice – is desperately in need of a rest. He should be replaced by Maxwel Cornet on the right in change seven.
And up front Moyes should rest Michail Antonio for either Danny Ings or enthusiastic young striker Divin Mubama.
In many ways it is a case of damned if you do, damned if you don’t for Moyes.
But West Ham will then feel the benefit when key stars return for big games against Man United and Alkmaar.
West Ham starting XI for Man City to keep the season alive and kicking:
Fabianski, Johnson, Kehrer, Ogbonna, Emerson, Downes, Lanzini, Fornals, Benrahma, Cornet, Ings or Mubama.
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