MATCH PREVIEW: Watford vs West Ham United

In what will be David Moyes’ first game as West Ham United, he does have a relatively good one in hand. West Ham United travel out to Vicarage Road where we challenge Watford for three crucial points. With Stuart “Psycho” Pearce, Alan Irvine and Billy McKinlay backing up David and Goalkeeper coach Chris Wood, this is going to be a really tasty game to watch.

This is our first Match Preview with David Moyes in-charge. As always, we’ll have a chat about formation, our thoughts for the team-sheet and Chris and I will offer a prediction ahead of this game.

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Starting Formation: 4-2-3-1

Since the days of Moyes’ management career taking off, the Scotsman has become accustomed to using two similar formations. 4-4-1-1 and 4-2-3-1, however for this first game in charge of West Ham, I’m thinking he’ll use the 4-2-3-1 formation, just as it’s been used fairly recently with Slaven Bilic.

With Javier “Chicharito” out injured, there are three strikers the boss can call on if need be. Toni Martinez, Diafra Sakho and Andy Carroll all will be biting for the chance to impress.

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Starting XI: Who starts for us?

Usually, I have no problem in picking who will be in the Starting XI, however this week is somewhat different with David Moyes coming aboard. However, this may be for humour, but it could also be legit.

In goal, our Spaniard friend, Adrian, comes in for Joe Hart this week. I think Adrian could strongly benefit from an appearance in goal, especially as Joe Hart will be unable to play the Manchester City game in a couple of weeks, so this would be a good chance for Adrian to get some game time and have a blast.

Our back four consists of the usual suspects. Pablo Zabaleta makes another appearance for us as he slots in at Right-Back. Sitting beside him is Declan Rice who deserves a recall back into the Senior Team, especially after the time off he’s had following the Newcastle game. Beside the Irishman, Angelo Ogbonna makes an appearance for us as Jose Fonte and James Collins are still injured. At Left Back, another player who has proven to be a fan favourite, Arthur Masuaku, makes an appearance for us, taking over from Aaron Cresswell.

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Our two Central Defensive Midfielders this week are the Dynamic Duo of Cheikhou Kouyate and Pedro Obiang. Obiang and Kouyate are a great partnership and both are absolutely classy players who bring a lot to that midfield position.

Sitting in behind the striker, we have our three Attacking Midfielders in Andre Ayew on the right, Manuel Lanzini in the center and surprisingly, Saed Haksabanovic on the left, coming in for Marko Arnautovic. Ayew has been working brilliantly and has shown glimpses of the 20 million pounds we spent to get him. His partnership with Chicharito has been allowed to blossom and grow quite nicely and it’s been something brilliant to watch. Lanzini is Lanzini. He’s pacey, will happily set himself, and others, up on goal. And then, there’s the surprise inclusion. Haksabanovic joins the senior squad from the U23 side as the lad has been playing brilliantly. He knows where he has to be and isn’t afraid to make those tackles. He’s been included over Marko Arnautovic as Arnie has ony just returned from International Duties with Austria, therefore a rest could be a good idea.

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And up top this week, I’m going to take the risk and say Toni Martinez. The kid has been scoring goals for fun in the Premier League 2 Division 1 for West Ham. He impressed under Westley so much last season, he was included in the Pre-Season Tour this year and hasn’t been seen since. Martinez’ inclusion in the Starting XI would be exactly what we have been screaming out for, yet it still baffles us why Bilic never played him.

Score Predictions: What do Chris and I say?

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TKH: We have a good squad at the minute. Yes, it’s somewhat injured and concerned with how things are going within the club at the moment, but overall, West Ham do have to be better. I think we can successfully beat this rot of bad luck against Watford and beat them 3-1.

Chris: I’m saying 2-1 to the Mighty Hammers! COYI