Nuno Espírito Santo has made five changes to the team to face Millwall this afternoon.
It’s almost time for the big one. The players are at the Den, and the starting lineup is official. These are the eleven players that will represent West Ham from the start against arch-rivals Millwall.
The starting XI: Hermansen; Walker-Peters, Mavropanos, Kilman, Morato; Bowen, Engels, Mukasa, Solomon; Castellanos, Piroe.
I really don’t think there are any surprises here. Some may have expected a more cautious approach given the size and importance of this game. Some may have wanted us to opt for the hard work of Pablo instead of Piroe, or maybe even add another midfielder instead of playing a front two.
However, the Portuguese manager has stuck with what has been working so well. The midfield duo of Engels and Mukasa has been so good for us in recent weeks.
As well as the blossoming strike partnership of Taty and Piroe will be able to show what they can do together in front of what is going to be a much bigger TV audience than any other of our Championship games so far.
With Veltman injured, the defence picked itself. Nuno could have opted for Scarles at left-back to include someone that ‘gets it’; however, he has been poor, and Morato has looked good in his first two appearances, so it had to be the Brazilian.
The team is more than good enough, but it’s up to the players to want it and to not be intimidated by what is going to be a very loud and proud Den.
It’s an attacking team, so let’s hope we can silence them with an early goal.
COME ON YOU IRONS!!!!!!!
