Our first chance to see Graham Potter’s West Ham United XI to take on Aston Villa in the F A Cup tonight.
After a whirlwind week for just about everyone, Hammers fans can settle down to see any signs of a ‘united’ West Ham squad with the tough away trip to Villa Park tonight.
Seen largely as a ‘free hit’ for Graham Potter, with Jarrod Bowen, Michail Antonio, Jean-Clair Todibo and, we hear, Emerson Palmeri likely to be absent, the squad and playing style will all largely be dictated by Potter’s predecessor as there was insufficient time to create real change.
One training session only has given the head coach a teeny insight into the strengths and weaknesses of his squad.
Conundrums which will have been on Potter’s mind include which goalkeeper retains the jersey tonight and how to create a more solid and productive midfield: For a change, the front line picks itself with few options available!
The first “Potter-era” West Ham United looks like this:
Fabianski | Wan-Bissaka, Mavropanous, Kilman, Scarles | Soucek(c), Alvarez, Paquetá | Kudus, Fullkrug, Summerville
True to his ethos, Graham Potter has selected Ollie Scarles at left back for his first ‘starting’ spot in the senior team.
A first start for Ollie Scarles
And remember, no replays in the FA Cup tonight, so 30 minutes extra time and penalties await if the two teams can’t be separated. and – whoopee, no VAR tonight either.
