OPINION
West Ham United will attempt to get back to winning ways when they take on Tottenham Hotspur in the fourth round of the Carabao Cup on Wednesday.
The Hammers have seen their form dip somewhat of late, and they were unable to hold on against Leicester City as they conceded late on in their 1-1 draw at the King Power Stadium on Saturday.
Manuel Pellegrini will therefore have to decide how many players he keeps in his starting line up after that game, as well as dealing with a multitude of injuries that have gutted his squad.
He will also have to do without captain Mark Noble after the experienced midfielder was sent off for a wild challenge on Wilfred Ndidi on Saturday – and he should be one of six changes the manager chooses to make in a side which has the right balance to blitz Tottenham away.
Lukasz Fabianski has been superb since joining the club from Swansea City this summer, and he deserves to be given a rest on Wednesday. Back up stopper Adrian should be handed the start in his absence.
Ryan Fredericks has been starved of football at right back of late, and that should continue here. Pablo Zabaleta is simply playing too well and cannot be dropped at this moment in time. Arthur Masuaku, on the left hand side, should miss out though, with Aaron Cresswell coming in to replace him, while Angelo Ogbonna could take the place of Fabian Balbuena in the heart of the defence.
Declan Rice must carry on in the defensive midfield role in the team’s current 4-1-4-1 formation. Meanwhile, Pellegrini told the club’s official website that he hopes Obiang will be back for this game, and he should start in central midfield.
Robert Snodgrass and Felipe Anderson will likely continue in the midfield four, while Michail Antonio should replace Grady Diangana on the right. The youngster should be given a rest after starting against Leicester.
Up front, Football Insider reported on Monday that Marko Arnautovic is set to be available for the Spurs game. The 6ft 3in Austrian [Source: Transfermarkt] must be given a start if he is fit to play, he’s too important to this Hammers team not to feature.