This is the thread for discussion on the West Ham United Starting XI, opinions, banter, general chat etc

Very early days but I thought this link may be of interest to some.

Basically a brief mention of the tactics/formations played so far pre-season which give an indication of Grant's plans for the coming season. (4-3-3 at home and 4-5-1 away maybe). Also hot news for any fantasy football fan, Kieran Dyer a potential right back.

http://www.whufc.com/articles/20100726/manager-on-monday_2236884_2100850

Long way to go until the starting line up's etc.. could be guessed at but something to keep us going for now.

Right back in the Treatment Room, after 2-3 games, is more like it.

Who will start as your CB's upson & who?

Dyer did start as a RWB, many years ago when we played that way.

Managed to catch a sporadic commentary of our latest pre-season success last night (4 wins, 1 goal conceded ), a 2-0 humbling of the MK Dons. Carlton Cole grabbed his 3rd of pre-season and set the other up for Faubert. He's looked strong and seems to be over the injury which hampered his form at the end of last season.

http://www.whufc.com/articles/20100728/mk-dons-0-2-west-ham-united-ft_2236884_2104825

Another success pre-season is the form of James Tomkins who has looked assured at right back or in the centre of defence so far and he may be favourite to slot in alongside Upson, ahead of Da Costa. Gabiddon started with Upson but sounded like his usual slow and dithering self.

I'm interested to see how Grant sets out the midfield as again he played a 4-3-3 last night. My guess is Parker, Noble and Hitzlsperger with Cole as the focal point up top and support from 2 of Piquionne, Barrera, Faubert, Stanislas, Boa Morte, Diamanti. I'd guess Barrera and Piquionne, both of whom are yet to turn out for a pre season game.

I'm thinking there is likely to be some value in West Ham defenders this season but trying to work out what the back four will be.

Any ideas on first choice fullbacks? I also expect Tompkins to play alongside Upson but I'm wondering if Ilunga and Spector will be first choice?

Difficult to say what the first choice back line will be, but may be able to hazard more of a guess after Saturday. At the moment, Tompkins & Upson (if fit after picking up a knock at the weekend) at CB. Guessing Illunga at LB. The RB position is up in the air, Tomkins has been playing there pre-season (with Da Costa CB) and also playing there has been Dyer, Faubert and even Stanislas has had a run out. Spector has been mainly coming on and playing as a CB.

Mind you, it would take a brave man to start with Hammers defenders, do check the opening batch of fixtures. Very tough. An even braver man would opt for a West Ham block in a league with top managers managing safer block defences.

http://www.fiso.co.uk/forum/block-party-free-to-play-t75222.html

And now you may have to factor in Tal Ben Haim. Possibly at RB, or CB with Tomkins playing RB.

Thanks for this!

All I want is a nailed on starter and I'll look to keep them season long. Obviously I wouldn't pick more than one West Ham defender...that'd be madness

Can anyone confirm what the first choice central defenders will be? With the likes of Upson, Gabbidon, Winston Reid now signed up for 4 mil, Tal Ben Haim, Tomkins all available for selection.

I doubt Avram Grant knows so don't expect any of us to! If we sign this Reid guy, my thoughts have not really altered from above. We have a plethora of centre backs now so hope we can finally get rid of Gabiddon. Da Costa is probably the next most at risk but I personally rate him.

Any insider info to suggest what the starting front line will look like for the Hammers this year? Cole and Piquionne?

Racing Post's "best XI" - not sure if this is a 4-3-3 or a 4-3-2-1:

Green
Tomkins Da Costa Upson Illunga
Noble Parker Hitzelsperger
Behrami Cole Barrera

Difficult to call this with a new manager replacing one who tinkered a lot; I would have thought that Faubert would get a look-in. Mr. Green will come in for dogs' abuse for his schoolboy error of schoolboy errors in the World Cup but he's a big lad and will take it. The rest of the the spine looks OK with Hitzelsperger an interesting addition. RP rate this young Mexican Barrera but he remains a CK to me. Better luck with injuries would help the Hammers a lot.

The line ups in for the clubs marquee pre-season friendly v Deportivo which I think gives a good indication of Avram's team:

G Green
D Tomkins
D Upson
D Gabiddon - I expect him to lose out to Ben Haim/Reid when they are fit
D Ilunga
M Hitzlesperger
M Parker
M Noble
AM Diamanti - Expect rotation with Barrera & Boa Morte
AM Faubert - Expect rotation with Barrera & Piquionne
F C Cole

Faubert is in the sun game as a defender, am i right he is playing on the right of a front three? If so he could score few goals and pick up clean sheet bonuses!!

Or getting a splintered ass, yes.

Wel he's played loads during pre-season n acording to reports he's played wel he's type of gamble that could win(or lose!) me my works league, only time wil tel hopefuly i'l b able to say i told you so

he (faubert) was originally brought as a midfielder\winger. I can see him playing 30 odd games and if we have a better season he could benefit with some clean sheets and hopefully a few goals! In the Sun game probably worth a gamble looking at the alternatives in that price bracket.

Do we reckon Herita Ilunga will be first-choice left-back again?
I cant see much competition for his place.

Looks that way. Daprela is a young left back and may take the odd game from him but 'Rita' should be first choice.

An update on the 'International Hammers' who played for their respective countries last night.

In there is mention of Hitzlsperger and a possible muscle injury as he was replaced after 50 minutes or so.

http://www.whufc.com/articles/20100811/hitz-off-in-germany-draw_2236884_2119174

A brief round up of some West Ham news being reported prior to kick off.

Valon Behrami looks to be on his way after the club have agreed to sell him. Apparently his missus does not like London so a return to Italy looks likely. He's been oft quoted in West Hams best starting line up by various publications but if you visit this thread regularly, we knew he wouldn't.

Allessandro Diamanti is another who looks set to go after the club have revealed he's surplus to requirements.

Benni McCarthy has been ordered to shed weight to get match fit. Apparently his BMI is 16% whereas an atheletes BMI should measure between 5-12%. (He was measured at 24% in May ).

Miralem Sulejmani has been refused a work permit and it seems the club will not appeal and have ended their interest.

Peter Kurucz our promising young reserve keeper has ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament so expect Avram Grant to up his search for a keeper with only Marek Stech as back up.

Any news on why (TFF Cheapie) Ilunga was absent on saturday & tonight?

Grant didn't mention him when he listed injured players who would be missing.

West Ham defender Manuel Da Costa has been sidelined for a further 10 weeks after aggravating an ankle injury that has kept him out of the club’s last three Premier League matches

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/footba ... njury.html

Does this have any relevance to (TFF cheapie) Ilunga who I note has been playing recently? Are they rivals for a position?

I'm no expert on West Ham's defence but I think Gabbidon was playing left-back keeping Ilunga out but now he is playing centre-back . Ben Haim , Reid and Tomkins could all come into the team as well

Yep Andy is pretty much on the money. Think Ben Haim has been carrying a knock, Reid is looking alright but in the reserves and Tomkins hasn't been trusted since a rickety game in August.

Ta chaps - so Ilunga is safe enough short term but a risk long term???

Grant seems to favour Gabiddon for some reason, but if Manuel Da Costa is out for a couple of months, Ilunga could win his place back for good with some solid displays, hopefully starting tomorrow eh Murf.