This is the team that would tear Gent apart and continue a welcome return of the real West Ham if David Moyes shows bravery.
After the pulsating 2-2 fightback against Premier League leaders Arsenal on Sunday, West Ham are back at the London Stadium on Thursday night for the crucial clash with Gent.
The Hammers go into the second leg of their quarter-final tie against the Belgians with the score at 1-1.
And David Moyes’ side will be well aware of the talents of the likes of Gift Orban after the first leg.
West Ham’s performance was poor in that game last week and mirrored much of what fans have been seeing from their side in the league this season.
But it was like a switch was flipped and the penny dropped when West Ham sparked into life at 2-0 down after just 10 minutes to the Gunners last time out.
Hammers supporters lifted the roof off the London Stadium in recognition of the vastly improved display and approach from their team.
Once you get a good thing going in football you have to embrace and roll with it.
So fans are hoping the manager does not revert back to the risk averse style which has shackled the team for over a year.
This is the team that would tear Gent apart and continue a welcome return of the real West Ham if Moyes shows bravery.
Speed kills. And West Ham must get as much of it in their side as possible from here on in, starting against Gent.
But the visitors are highly likely to defend deep and try to hit West Ham on the counter attack. So it is vital Moyes has players in the middle of the park who can handle the ball well and keep possession flowing.
And it is equally imperative when we do get a chance, we put it away.
That means bringing in the barely seen Maxwel Cornet, Manuel Lanzini and Danny Ings from the start against Gent.
With Angelo Ogbonna suspended, Nayef Aguerd could also be back in the side.
Moyes must not go back to the five at the back formation he sometimes uses in Europe. It is not needed against a team that will be sitting off and playing on the break through the centre. And it has hardly been a roaring success anyway when used against decent opposition.
If we can play four at the back against Arsenal then we can do it against Gent.
Moyes could of course go all out with Antonio up top and Lucas Paqueta in midfield. Antonio looked sharp when he came on against Gent in the first leg and was back to his best against Arsenal.
But Moyes might be wise to hold both Antonio and Paqueta back with Sunday’s crucial relegation six-pointer against Bournemouth on Sunday.
Captain Declan Rice has to play – there is little choice in that regard.
We need to attack this game from the outset, dominate the ball and be ruthless to get the job done.
And we think this is the team to get the job done in emphatic style with one eye on that match against the Cherries.
Cornet and Bowen would have the visitors pinned back with their pace. Their ability to get in behind and provide cutbacks could see Ings thrive.
It would effectively become a front three with Cornet and Bowen both capable of – and well accustomed to – playing as second strikers.
Downes is better on the ball than Tomas Soucek and can provide that shield in front of the defence with Rice.
Lanzini can play between the lines and link with Ings while playing Cornet and Bowen in.
If extra help is needed then Moyes has high quality options from the bench with the likes of Paqueta, Antonio and Said Benrahma ready to come on and make an impact.
This is the team that would tear Gent apart and continue welcome return of the real West Ham if David Moyes shows bravery:
Areola, Coufal, Zouma, Aguerd, Emerson, Rice, Downes, Lanzini, Cornet, Bowen, Ings.
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