I’ve always had a soft spot for Bournemouth, having childhood trips to the place and with Eddie Howe seeming like one of the more likeable managers (the anti-Mourinho if you will) then it’s hard to deny them their moment in the spotlight.
For the Hammers, it’s the first of three games without guardian angel Adrian in between the sticks. For what’s it’s worth, I was almost in line with his challenge and it seemed a red card to me. This means understudy Darren Randolph will be filling in. Although nowhere as assured as our favourite Spaniard, Randolph should be able to hold his own and could probably do without the nerves of the Upton Park crowd around him, so lets lend him all the support we can.
The line up looks like this for me – there may be some interchange between Obiang, Lanzini and Kouyate but this would be the structure to start with. Zarate is out for a couple of games.
We certainly were not awful against Leicester, we just let them play for about 20 minutes, but we also look like a team who may give someone a serious tonking when it all clicks into place. I’m not saying that will happen on Saturday, but there is an opportunity. Bournemouth’s style may play into our hands and although they have been a little more cautious in their two starts, their two close defeats may prompt them to be a bit more adventurous.
I’m going for a 2-1 win with Sakho and Payet getting on the scoresheet, come on you Irons!!!!