Two changes in Bilic 4-2-3-1: Risky, but this West Ham XI will beat West Brom
By Will Butcher
Slaven Bilic should risk Andy Carroll’s fitness by starting him in his West Ham side to face West Brom on Saturday at the London Stadium.
The 28-year-old was withdrawn in the 56th minute against Southampton during last Saturday’s 3-1 win at St. Mary’s Stadium, as he complained of a minor groin injury.
However, starting the in-form England international should be risked as he continues to inspire the Hammers in their push up the Premier League table.
Carroll has scored four goals in four games and it’s helped move the Hammers up the table to ninth. In his current form he would terrorise the West Brom defence and inspire another win – and the momentum West Ham have at the moment must be maintained.
Manager Bilic should make two changes to his side to face Tony Pulis’ Baggies, by welcoming Andre Ayew and Sam Byram back into his starting eleven.
Former Leeds defender Byram has been nursing a hamstring problem and Andre Ayew has been representing Ghana at the African Cup of Nations, but both are now available. With their inclusion, Sofiane Feghouli and Cheikhou Kouyate should drop out of the side.
With former Liverpool and Newcastle forward Carroll leading the line, £20million summer recruit Ayew should start on the left.
That will push January signing Robert Snodgrass into the middle of an eye-catching attacking midfield, after starring in the number 10 role during the first half of the season for Hull.
Michail Antonio will prove more effective if ushered out to the right of midfield, as he looks to work the Baggies’ left-back in three days’ time.
The three of them would link up brilliantly with Carroll and create a lot of chances for the in-form striker.
Chiekhou Kouyate started at right-back for the Hammers against the Saints, but Byram’s return will provide Bilic with a recognised right-sided defender.
New signing Jose Fonte has started well at the back in claret and blue since his move from Southampton, and he will partner Winston Reid with Aaron Cresswell on the left.
Tireless midfielder Pedro Obiang has struck a coherent partnership in the middle of the park with Mark Noble, and those two will be relied upon to continue that spark in the engine room.
Bilic will see his side move to within two points of West Brom in eighth with a fourth win in five league games.
However, the Baggies will prove a difficult opponent as they come into the game with four league wins in their last six games.
In other West Ham news, Cresswell believes this midfielder is deserving of more praise.
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