West Ham United entertain Bournemouth in their first home game of the new season on Saturday.
Manuel Pellegrini’s side got the 2018/19 campaign off to the worst possible start with a 4-0 defeat at Liverpool.
Bournemouth fared better, bearing newly-promoted Cardiff 2-0.
West Ham’s defeat dampened enthusiasm about a new era under Pellegrini.
The Hammers spent £100 million in the summer.
So with Pellegrini’s penchant for attacking play, supporters are hoping for exciting times ahead.
Two key changes for Pellegrini’s first home game
Only Lukasz Fabianski and Felipe Anderson came away from Anfield with any credit.
According to Pellegrini it is unlikely Lucas Perez or Carlos Sanchez will be ready to start after a lack of training.
So the midfield trio of Declan Rice, Jack Wilshere and Mark Noble looks likely to be given a second chance.
Two players in particular frustrated fans more than most on Merseyside.
Michail Antonio and Arthur Masuaku were extremely poor.
Both could be replaced in the starting line-up as Pellegrini makes two changes.
Andriy Yarmolenko in for Antonio
The Ukraine star has looked very good in pre-season.
And he impressed when he came on as a late sub against Liverpool.
He has been carrying an injury but should be fit enough to start and pull the strings against the Eddie Howe’s side.
For all Antonio’s power and pace he lacks class.
And everytime he did something good against Liverpool he either held onto the ball too long, ran down a blind alley or gave the ball away.
Aaron Cresswell in for Masuaku
Masuaku proved – like last season was not proof enough – that he cannot be trusted as a left-back in a back four.
He just is not good enough defensively.
Aaron Cresswell is fit again and should return to the side in his place.
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