Three things to look out for in NK Domzale v. West Ham United

The Hammers will kick-off their 16/17 season on Thursday with a game against NK Domzale in the Europa League third qualifying round (first leg). Here are three things to look out for in the game…

Youth over experience?

Over the years we have seen numerous people complain about the Europa League mainly due to the fact that they have to play on a Thursday night and travel long distances. Now many believe that this leads to a poor performance in the Premier League thus seeing the competition as insignificant.

Will Slaven Bilic opt for youth over experience in order to keep the players fit and ready for a top four challenge or will he use this tournament as a means to enter the Champions League?

Will Ashley Fletcher start?

Let’s be honest, he wasn’t the signing that we were all hoping for. Alexandre Lacazette, Michy Batshuayi and Carlos Bacca. These are some of the names that the Hammers have been chasing this summer in search of their dream striker though they have not been able to sign a top striker, so far.

Fletcher was always highly rated at Manchester United having impressed in the reserve team but there were doubts as to whether he could make the step up to senior level, as there is with the majority of players. Nine goals in 27 games, including one in the opener in the play-off final for Barnsley on loan, showed that he simply needed regular games. Two goals in three games for the Hammers in pre-season has some calling for Bilic to start him in what should be a comfortable game.

Who will replace Aaron Cresswell?

This is the question that was on everyone’s minds when it was confirmed that Cresswell would be out for up to four months and should Bilic opt for our strongest XI on Thursday then we may have an answer. Some have suggested that Michail Antonio should continue at RB with Sam Byram filling in at LB.

Naturally, if Cresswell’s replacement was to play well then it could lead to suggestions that the Hammers do not need to sign anyone. Should this happen, we can’t ignore the quality of the opposition and the fact that if one of Antonio or Byram was to get injured, we have no cover. A new LB is most certainly needed.