By Louis Nixon

The Hammers are set to take on QPR in the Third round of the FA Cup at the London Stadium, in which this game might be more crucial than some think. 

The game against QPR on paper should be a walk in the park, but in actuality, the Hammers are a side that’s broken mentally, and a win against QPR could reignite an aspect of confidence for the Premier League season. 

But despite its significance, who should start for the match? Given that it’s been so long since the Carabao Cup Wolves match, it’s hard to pick who goes in goal, but if we’re estimating how it usually is, you’d think £30 million summer signing Hermansen will return to the squad. 

Ahead of him in defence, we are short in numbers, but we could see the back line of Mayers, Igor, Kilman and Walker-Peters. 

Alternatively, you could suggest the likes of Golambeckis or Wan-Bissaka, but the Congolese player would’ve just returned, whereas Golambeckis is still looking for his first outing, and it could be the perfect time for the centre defender, Nuno has a liking towards him, given the handful of appearances he’s gotten on to the bench. 

Assuming that we’re playing the standard 4-3-3, in the midfield we will likely see one of our senior players in Fernandes, alongside Mohamadou Kante and Potts. There’s always an outside chance that James Ward-Prowse could return to the team but given Nuno’s distaste, it remains unlikely. 

Finally, for the front force, I am anticipating Pablo to get a full start, assuming that he is fit, of course, with a handful of rumours that he has a small injury, with Summerville and Taty taking up the last two slots of the team. 

Jarrod Bowen certainly needs a rest and it could be good for him, given how much he’s struggled recently. It wouldn’t be a surprise to see him feeling the fatigue a bit. 

Anything can happen across the match, but winning this one could give us a spell of brief confidence, especially heading into the rivalry against Spurs the following weekend.