Ordinarily, I wouldn’t be writing a Southampton vs West Ham preview on Christmas Day, but knowing that many of you are relaxing after your Christmas dinner and looking for a bit of Hammers waffle has inspired me to share the team I’d like to see. It’s very different from my predicted line-up—more on that tomorrow.
I have been genuinely humbled by the number of messages we’ve received today following the earlier post about Hughie. However, one thing has become crystal clear—there are people who clearly need a West Ham fix after a sustained period of brussel sprout eating and enduring poor jokes in Christmas crackers.
Looking ahead to tomorrow’s game, Southampton are a team ripe for the taking, but West Ham need to be bold. We must treat the Saints like they’re bottom of the Premier League and go on the attack.
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I’d like to see Julen Lopetegui adopt a more adventurous line-up with a couple of playmakers in midfield. With Ivan Jurić likely setting Southampton up defensively but with a high press, there’s no need for two defensive midfielders. The absence of Lucas Paquetá provides Lopetegui with an opportunity to try something different.
In goal, the excellent Łukasz Fabiański should continue his heroics, which saved a point against Brighton. I’d start Aaron Wan-Bissaka at left-back, dropping Emerson after his poor performance against the Seagulls. This means everyone may have to shift around a bit.
Vladimir Coufal should be at right-back, with Max Kilman and Jean-Clair Todibo in central defence. Hopefully, any issues between Todibo and Lopetegui have been resolved.
In central midfield, pairing Lewis Orford with Carlos Soler, supported by Edson Álvarez in defensive midfield, would add creativity. This line-up could break down a stubborn Southampton defence. And if West Ham can’t give a youngster a start against a team with six points, when will we?
Up front, Jarrod Bowen should play on the right, with Crysencio Summerville on the left and Mohammed Kudus up front.
I’ve been accused of holding a vendetta against Niclas Füllkrug, but I don’t have any strong opinion of him as a player. I do, however, have my doubts about whether he’ll remain at the club but if he looked anywhere near half-decent so far, I’d start him.
Unfortunately, I thought he was a long way off the pace at the London Stadium last Saturday, and I believe a role as a super sub would be better for all concerned