After a superb performance from West Ham against Manchester City, the Hammers could be facing a crisis in defence ahead of tomorrow's game at Newcastle United.
James Tomkins was injured in the warm up at Upton Park on Saturday and James Collins went off 6 minutes before full time. The only senior centre back West Ham definitely have available for their game against Newcastle tomorrow is Winston Reid, meaning that players will have to play our of position. Joey O'Brien or Jordan Spence will have to fill in at centre back and the other will have to play at right back. Seventeen year old Leo Chambers will most likely be on the bench again, unless Sam Allardyce takes a gamble and starts him, which seems unlikely considering Big Sam's usual policy of not starting youth players. The exception to this is 19 year old striker Rob Hall.
This brings me to the issue of why Sam Allardyce didn't bring in more defenders. There were rumours flying around after the summer transfer window had closed that West Ham were going to sign ex-Sunderland defender John Mensah on a free transfer (permissable after a transfer window). This would have provided cover for Tomkins, Collins and Reid should more than one of them get injured. I also don't understand why a left back wasn't brought in, McCartney was great last season in the Championship but he's getting on a bit and he might struggle against some of the pacier wingers.
As for the game tomorrow, I think Newcastle United will be too good for the Hammers, but only just. If both Cisse and Ba start for the Magpies, then the make shift defence could struggle, but the attacking options available to Big Sam will trouble the Newcastle defence as well. I predict 2-1 to Newcastle.
TB 2012.
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