23 Feb 2026 17:18:46
What's everyone's team for West Ham? Surely Gakpo will be dropped this weekend. Good time to give Ngomha a start as we are at home too. He can't do any worse than Gakpo this season. If needed bring Gakpo on in the second half but at least give the kid a chance.
Alison
Kerkez
Van Dijk.
Konate
Gomez
Szoboszlai
Gravenberch
Wirtz (if fit)
Nghouma
Ekitike
Salah.
23 Feb 2026 18:13:55
Gakpo won't be dropped.
23 Feb 2026 18:18:41
Rio is not ready to start in my eyes.
23 Feb 2026 18:24:15
If Gakpo is dropped, I would hazard Wirtz on the left, and MacAllister keeps his spot. But I don't think Gakpo will be dropped. I'd give Rio more mins, but not a starter. Might see some earlier subs with Wolves away midweek.
23 Feb 2026 18:27:12
I haven't met anyone today who would pick Salah for our next fixture. It's getting embarrassing for the guy now. You can't afford to carry passengers in the Premier League.
23 Feb 2026 18:32:49
Care to elaborate, Man of Todd, given Gakpo drops 3/10's week in week out. Rio can't be any worse.
23 Feb 2026 18:38:45
Mytton, Frimpong should be back this week, no doubt, on the bench. Who do we play instead of Salah? Chiesa? He was poor Saturday too, and has not done much in his recent cameos. Salah is still our best option if we utilize him away from the wing.
23 Feb 2026 19:05:08
Gomez and Wirtz in, if they are fit. Gravy and Szob in the middle. I'd genuinely drop Salah, play Gakpo on the right, and start Rio on the left.
23 Feb 2026 19:18:53
Didn't Rio go past the full back and create a chance for Mac's disallowed goal while playing in Mo's position?
23 Feb 2026 20:15:20
I'd drop both Salah and Gakpo personally, but I doubt he would drop both, so I went with Gakpo.
23 Feb 2026 20:43:19
Rio is just a kid and seems so raw. I don't think it is fair to start him in a struggling team. Personally, I would start Chiesa over Mo or Gakpo. I would move Szob into the centre with Grav., assigning Grav to dm duties only, keeping Wirtz in the middle. I would then ease Rio in through sub appearances.
23 Feb 2026 20:49:45
I'd go with Red Jones' team. Give Rio a start and see how he fares out. His confidence should be sky high after the weekend, and neither Gakpo r Salah playing well at min.
23 Feb 2026 21:19:16
Salah upfront with Ekitike, Wirtz behind. Rio left and Chiesa right. Stop mucking around and take it to teams.
23 Feb 2026 21:58:49
Bit harsh to criticise Chiesa's involvement purely because he hardly gets any.
23 Feb 2026 22:17:44
I agree Rio needs more opportunities. Whether that's starting or just being trusted earlier off the bench, tho? I think it's important to not get too carried away at a cameo appearance against tiring fullbacks. It is a great way to get him integrated into the team, but does that mean he is ready to start and do all the rest of the work?
24 Feb 2026 02:46:45
60 min on as a sub is good for Rio. He is a great prospect. Gakpo will start 100%, but I would like to see Salah dropped again. His form is dire. Won't happen, I suspect, but I guarantee he gets dragged off again around the 65-70 min mark (fasting for Ramadan).
24 Feb 2026 05:26:40
I read that Rio has had more minutes than any other 17 yr old (pretty sure they meant this season, not ever). He is getting enough action while bulking up and learning his trade. I'd like to see him get 20-30 mins rather than the end-of-match cameos, though. Salah needs to play.
He must be desperate to get a few goals now, and Chiesa hasn't looked like much of a replacement, and it is unlikely Frimpong does 90 min on the right wing. Everyone was singing Mo's praises after the Brighton game last week, and, although he was muck against Forest, so was most of the team.
24 Feb 2026 12:27:35
Endo3, there is nothing wrong with starting Rio for 60 mins, imo, ahead of either Gakpo or Salah.
24 Feb 2026 13:05:30
Chiesa looked as bad as Salah and Gakpo when he came on, though. So, if his general play is going to be as bad as Mo's, I think I'd rather go with the guy who has the track record of 30 goals a season from the wing.