Kevin Ball selects his ones to watch within the West Ham United ranks ahead of Saturday's game.
Injured: Darren Randolph, Gokhan Tore, Sam Byram, Andy Carroll, Andre Ayew, Diafra Sakho, Arthur Masuaku
THE CAPTAIN: Mark Noble
I think Mark Noble is brilliant. He had his testimonial recently and there was a brilliant turnout which shows what the West Ham fans think of him, and that he’s had a superb career at the club. Every team needs a player like Noble; he drives the team, gets the ball and makes things happen, but he also has a grit to his game which is invaluable in the Premier League. He has worked hard to improve throughout his career and he’s never been content with where he’s at, so he’s a great example to young players and could dictate the flow of the game on Saturday.
THE MAGICIAN: Dimirti Payet
He’s a magician. He can create something from nothing but unlike many players he seems to do it week in, week out. Perhaps this season he hasn’t quite got going, but when you look at what he did in the Summer for France that’s understandable because he was one of the players of the tournament. He’s a cut above the rest in terms of his ability on the ball and his vision, and we have to contain him this weekend and hope he doesn’t click into gear, because if he does he might well be unstoppable.
THE HAMMER HEAD: Michail Antonio
Michail Antonio is a very interesting player. Look at his history, he hasn’t been blessed with coming straight to the top and he’s had a real journey to make a name for himself in the Premier League, playing in non-league and the lower divisions before rising up to the Championship and now beyond. Ten of his 13 Premier League goals since the start of last season have been headers, and this isn’t a player most people associate with heading the ball or even playing in a central position. What he does well is gambling at the back post, and I’ve always said if you come in at the back stick you will score goals. He will be a threat wherever he plays and, like Noble, he sets a great example to young players and shows that if you work hard you will succeed.
THE ROCK: Winston Reid
Jermain Defoe will be relishing a battle against his former club and he will buzz off the atmosphere provided by a fantastic new stadium. That said, it will be tough. Winston Reid is the heartbeat of West Ham’s defence and he will likely be the man tasked with stopping Defoe, so it will be intriguing to see how the duel unfolds. Reid’s been at West Ham since 2010 and he knows the club inside out, and he’s often linked with teams in the top six which shows how good and how consistent he is. Sunderland are the away team so they may not get too many chances, particularly if Reid performs, so Defoe needs to be on song.
THE TYKE: Ashley Fletcher
Last season Ashley Fletcher was brilliant for Barnsley as they won the Football League Trophy and earned promotion to the Championship via the play-offs. He scored nine goals in 27 games and then faced a tough decision – do I wait for a chance at Man United, or do I leave – and I think he deserves a lot of credit for taking a difficult choice and moving to West Ham. He’s young, he’s hungry and he wants to play at the highest level he can, and with Carroll and Sakho out he’s now getting the chance to do that and prove himself in the Premier League.
THE WINNER: Manuel Lanzini
Manuel Lanzini was the main man last weekend as he scored the winner against Crystal Palace. The Hammers had been waiting for a league win for a while and he deserves a lot of credit for making the difference, and he will be hoping to do the same this weekend after adding confidence to his game. He had bundles of ability and flair, but he is a player who thrives on momentum so the early exchanges will be key and we can’t give him an inch. He’s scored twice already this season to add to the seven he netted last year, and he will be hoping to kick on and progress during his second season in England