thursday_next Posted 11 April 2016 Posted 11 April 2016 I'm just glad they have the cup game midweek, less time to prepare for our game, less rest... little things like that could give us the edge, to out-do us you have to outwork us. Hope they win so the focus is on the cup. There's not the remotest chance of West Ham not being up for this. They've still got the Europa League, and they have the incentive of us beating them three times since last April. They are bound to require some revenge for all that. Why Slaven Bilic would think of qualifying for the Europa League I don't know, seeing as they made such a mess of it last time, but he will. They'll be tough opponents.
SpacedX Posted 11 April 2016 Posted 11 April 2016 Agreed. But strange things happen to a team when faced with run-ins. Our great escape last season is testament to that. It's testament to the fact that under appreciable pressure - (and according testimonies from the players, a greater degree of pressure) - we won seven of our remaining nine games and drew another.
SpinneyHillRanger Posted 11 April 2016 Posted 11 April 2016 Antonio was shattered after the arsenal game. If he plays against man U it will hardly do him any good for the time he has to face us. We could definitely exploit that. Vardy running into those channels will cause problems.
sylofox Posted 11 April 2016 Posted 11 April 2016 Would love West Ham to make the CL. But for 90 mins next weekend fvck em. We need to spoil the party for them. Anyway heads night be turned if they beat manure.
Babylon Posted 11 April 2016 Posted 11 April 2016 There's not the remotest chance of West Ham not being up for this. They've still got the Europa League, and they have the incentive of us beating them three times since last April. They are bound to require some revenge for all that. Why Slaven Bilic would think of qualifying for the Europa League I don't know, seeing as they made such a mess of it last time, but he will. They'll be tough opponents. I didn't say they wouldn't be up for it did ? You cannot deny that physically it gives us an advantage, prep' wise it gives us the advantage and that the potential is there for players to have one eye on a wembley semi if they win it.
Babylon Posted 11 April 2016 Posted 11 April 2016 Antonio was shattered after the arsenal game. If he plays against man U it will hardly do him any good for the time he has to face us. We could definitely exploit that. Vardy running into those channels will cause problems. If they play a three at the back we might struggle to get behind them, we're not supporting the strikers as a team at the moment (until the last 6 minutes against Sunderland where we looked brilliant). When we're up against a three the space is more limited. We exploit missing full backs, having the extra CB gives teams extra cover and means any space for us is much wider, so you can't get through on goal so easily.
thursday_next Posted 11 April 2016 Posted 11 April 2016 It's testament to the fact that under appreciable pressure - (and according testimonies from the players, a greater degree of pressure) - we won seven of our remaining nine games and drew another. Again agreed. But this time Tottenham will be the team having the momentum. There's really no pressure on them, and their team and supporters will be full of confidence after their 3-0 win over Man Utd. We cannot afford to have any draws, least of all two in a row. Last season Jack Rodwell would have buried that chance. This season he didn't, but we can't go thinking that's going to happen every game. After 69 minutes of Spurs v Utd, I was getting ready to celebrate the title. Maybe that is the reason I'm so down today.
kingcarr21 Posted 11 April 2016 Posted 11 April 2016 Don't change a winning formula. Imagine Ranieri changed the team and we went on a collapse and finished 2nd. His 'Tinkerman' tag will be highlighted even more. He will stick with the same 11. 8 hours and 10 minutes without conceding a goal is brilliant and is testament to our defending from every player. No question though this will be a very hard game. West Ham would be in the top 4 if Payet didn't get injured earlier in the season. I would like to think that the atmosphere we will create will be enough to urge our players to get the job done. Absolutely no way we should be benching Mahrez. Yes the last 2 games haven't been great but if playing him means West Ham will double up or even triple up on him means that Shinji and Vardy will have much more space to expose. The influence Mahrez has on how the opposition plays benefits us massively. What we MUST remember as fans is that its not all doom and gloom if we lose. We have a healthy lead and can even afford a couple of defeats. We now have 2 home games coming up so with the way we are playing I would like to think we can win at least 1 of those matches. I've said for a few weeks that 75 points will be enough for the title and I still believe that. We beat West Ham and we are seriously in dreamland.
drofmor56 Posted 11 April 2016 Posted 11 April 2016 Kouyate,Antonio ,Poyet and Noble are a formidable midfield ...this will be tough !
Foxxed Posted 11 April 2016 Posted 11 April 2016 Best defensive midfielder in the league vs the best attacking midfielder in the league. They're desperate to get into Europe. This'll be the hardest have yet - definitely the best team left to play. As much as I love West Ham and their fans - we'll beat them and but help their European hopes by also beating united! I really want to win the next three, so united's rejects can live their dream of lifting a trophy at Old Trafford. Looking forward to the game.
Babylon Posted 11 April 2016 Posted 11 April 2016 Best defensive midfielder in the league vs the best attacking midfielder in the league. They're desperate to get into Europe. This'll be the hardest have yet - definitely the best team left to play. As much as I love West Ham and their fans - we'll beat them and but help their European hopes by also beating united! I really want to win the next three, so united's rejects can live their dream of lifting a trophy at Old Trafford. Looking forward to the game. Watching Payet against Arsenal, I thought he held on to the ball far to long most of the time. He gives you a chance to get a foot in.
sdb Posted 11 April 2016 Posted 11 April 2016 I'd still start Shinji...why change a winning formula? Ulloa does look a lot better but Okazaki's role in tiring the opposition is key. I hope they do go 352 to be honest. Their back 3 were woefully exposed in the first half vs. Arsenal. I couldn't believe it.
Grey Fox Posted 11 April 2016 Posted 11 April 2016 As good as West Ham are, they have only won one of their last 5 league away games (3-2 at Everton). They were 2-0 down in that as well, which if happens against us, wouldn't be as easy for them to overturn.
SpacedX Posted 11 April 2016 Posted 11 April 2016 Again agreed. But this time Tottenham will be the team having the momentum. There's really no pressure on them, and their team and supporters will be full of confidence after their 3-0 win over Man Utd. We cannot afford to have any draws, least of all two in a row. Last season Jack Rodwell would have buried that chance. This season he didn't, but we can't go thinking that's going to happen every game. After 69 minutes of Spurs v Utd, I was getting ready to celebrate the title. Maybe that is the reason I'm so down today. Don't be despondent. I don't believe that the 'pressure' that we are under (if any?) is in any way comparable to Spurs. The expectancy at the Lane is currently overwhelming. This is a side that were booed off the pitch at home last December having been defeated by one goal following a run of nine consecutive victories. For years they've been labelled as bottlers and perennial under achievers - perpetually in the shadow of their North London neighbours and Chelsea, yet the sense of entitlement amongst the fans is huge and this weight of expectation burdensome. Remember, as unprecedented as our rise to glory has been, most Spurs fans were resigned to another trophy-less season, twenty points adrift of the top and struggling to assert their 'divine right' as a top five club. Being above Chelsea and Arsenal was unimaginable enough but contending for the title/Champions of England elect has massively raised the stakes. The pressure to bridge a seven point deficit with such a huge opportunity to achieve the 'greatness' that they feel has eluded them for so long - something that many of their fans regard as some perverse divine right - as brilliantly as their team are playing, has placed a huge responsibility on everyone associated with that club.
lee7 Posted 11 April 2016 Posted 11 April 2016 If we play anything like we have against Southampton and Sunderland then we will get ripped apart. We've been awful by our own standards the past two games. Carroll will be a handful but they've got players who can hurt us all over the park to be fair. I just hope that we can raise our game again, if we come through this then I'll firmly believe that we'll probably win it.
weller54 Posted 11 April 2016 Author Posted 11 April 2016 Carroll will probably be injured in the cup game.. He's currently on a one game injury-free run, two is asking a lot from him!
thursday_next Posted 11 April 2016 Posted 11 April 2016 Don't be despondent. I don't believe that the 'pressure' that we are under (if any?) is in any way comparable to Spurs. The expectancy at the Lane is currently overwhelming. This is a side that were booed off the pitch at home last December having been defeated by one goal following a run of nine consecutive victories. For years they've been labelled as bottlers and perennial under achievers - perpetually in the shadow of their North London neighbours and Chelsea, yet the sense of entitlement amongst the fans is huge and this weight of expectation burdensome. Remember, as unprecedented as our rise to glory has been, most Spurs fans were resigned to another trophy-less season, twenty points adrift of the top and struggling to assert their 'divine right' as a top five club. Being above Chelsea and Arsenal was unimaginable enough but contending for the title/Champions of England elect has massively raised the stakes. The pressure to bridge a seven point deficit with such a huge opportunity to achieve the 'greatness' that they feel has eluded them for so long - something that many of their fans regard as some perverse divine right - as brilliantly as their team are playing, has placed a huge responsibility on everyone associated with that club. Yeah, but, they've never been 1/7 for the league before. If we show the slightest sign of weakness, they're going to be all over us like a rash. If it were Arsenal, I wouldn't be bothered, but this Tottenham side are well capable of winning all 5.
AjcW Posted 11 April 2016 Posted 11 April 2016 I think with their Draw at the weekend and City coming back to win, they'll have realised they've probably missed their top four chance now. I don't know how this will affect them but I imagine they will be putting their all in to Wednesday night now as opposed to Sunday.
les-tah Posted 11 April 2016 Posted 11 April 2016 Best case is West ham beat man utd after a very hard 120 mins. Payet gets a little nock and they want to rest him so hes good for the final.
lgfualol Posted 11 April 2016 Posted 11 April 2016 I'd still start Shinji...why change a winning formula? Ulloa does look a lot better but Okazaki's role in tiring the opposition is key. I hope they do go 352 to be honest. Their back 3 were woefully exposed in the first half vs. Arsenal. I couldn't believe it. I wouldnt even say Ulloa looks better. He seems to ruin as many attacks as Okazaki.
SpacedX Posted 11 April 2016 Posted 11 April 2016 Yeah, but, they've never been 1/7 for the league before. If we show the slightest sign of weakness, they're going to be all over us like a rash. If it were Arsenal, I wouldn't be bothered, but this Tottenham side are well capable of winning all 5. And assume they will - in comparison, we have to win three. Like I say, that is immaterial - take that as a given. The challenge for us is to win these three out of five games irrespective of Tottenham Hotspur. As I say, the weight of expectation at the Lane is stifling, whereas the support in the stands both home and if it comes to that - away, together with the prevailing ethos within club and management is not only in our favour, but conducive to the situation we are now in. I have faith in these players, but more importantly, they have faith in themselves. As tiresome as the trope may be, they genuinely are 'fearless'. Follow their lead.
Bob Weasel Fox Posted 11 April 2016 Posted 11 April 2016 And assume they will - in comparison, we have to win three. Like I say, that is immaterial - take that as a given. The challenge for us is to win these three out of five games irrespective of Tottenham Hotspur. As I say, the weight of expectation at the Lane is stifling, whereas the support in the stands both home and if it comes to that - away, together with the prevailing ethos within club and management is not only in our favour, but conducive to the situation we are now in. I have faith in these players, but more importantly, they have faith in themselves. As tiresome as the trope may be, they genuinely are 'fearless'. Follow their lead.Good post#Fearless Personally I'm absolutely shitting it every game (even had to do a 6 plus mile run on the treadmill yesterday to prevent listening to game ) That said we are in a bloody good position and if we don't finish the job off from here we won't deserve it anyway I'm sure we will be champions
thursday_next Posted 11 April 2016 Posted 11 April 2016 And assume they will - in comparison, we have to win three. Like I say, that is immaterial - take that as a given. The challenge for us is to win these three out of five games irrespective of Tottenham Hotspur. As I say, the weight of expectation at the Lane is stifling, whereas the support in the stands both home and if it comes to that - away, together with the prevailing ethos within club and management is not only in our favour, but conducive to the situation we are now in. I have faith in these players, but more importantly, they have faith in themselves. As tiresome as the trope may be, they genuinely are 'fearless'. Follow their lead. City being 'fearless' is probably for the good. The only thing is, where does the fear go? In my head, that's where it all goes!
LCFC_Oak Posted 11 April 2016 Posted 11 April 2016 Hoping for a West Ham win after extra time on Wednesday. One eye on the semi-final, may rest a couple, given that beating us might give Spurs a chance at the league. If Man City beat Chelsea, which you would expect, they should be 8 points clear of West Ham in 4th by the time we play, which makes champions league highly unlikely. FA Cup is their best chance of success. Given that, I would still expect us to not lose if both are at full strength. Optimistic.
LCFC_Oak Posted 11 April 2016 Posted 11 April 2016 Also, people calling for changes to the team when we have won 5 on the bounce are clueless. Ulloa looks OK when he comes on because Okazaki and VArdy have done all the hard work to tire out there defenders with tireless running. Ulloa from the start would not be as effective. I agree that Mahrez has been poor recently, but that's Mahrez all over, always has up and downs, but comes good at the right time.
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