West Ham pre-match thread

[TMELcfc]

If Antonio is fit, I worry. He bullies Chilwell every time he plays him, he’s generally a handful for us. 
They have some flair players who can create something from nothing, we lack that. 

We should be aiming for 3 points but I’d be happy to just stop losing... and just see a better performance.
Norwich, Man City and Liverpool were below par for the season we’ve had. 

[AyewJoking]

Has to be an uplifting performance and 3 points.

We looked so lame v manc and pool so i have to believe we threw those matches in preparation for winnable fixtures.

[ronnup]

This is a huge game for them. Well for Pelligrini. If they start well we're in trouble. We have to dictate the lace from the start. They'll get restless and the games for the taking then. I just don't see us starting strongly though. Rodgers really needs to show his worth for me today. 4 bad performances in a row is a concern at any level regardless of your league position I'm afraid. 

[reynard]

A must win game in the context of the rest of the season. I don't see us getting anything much from the remaining games against the so-called big 6 as we seem to freeze completely when up against the top sides so 11 wins from the other 14 games required for top 4. Starting today. Not that confident though as we look completely spent in the last 3 or 4 matches and utterly spineless in the last two.

[Izzy]

13 hours ago, H.a.r.r.y said:

Ricardo RW and Justin RB

I approve of this idea (but doubt it’ll happen)

[The Guvnor]

Bring Nacho back in to partner vardy and get back on track.

[Farrington fox]

Hope I’m not tempting fate. But in light of Wolves winning last night. I’m feeling confident we’ll seize the opportunity to restore the 4 point gap. Coyb. 

[Guest worth_the_wait]

New day, new game. 

 

Liverpool.   Who are they?  Forgotten all about it.

 

This is a massive match, and I'm up for it.

 

Fortunately I won't be on the pitch today, but I'll give them all I've got from behing the goal.  Bring it on!!!

[Beechey]

Back to getting clean sheets please

[Fox1970]

56 minutes ago, Pliskin said:

0-3 win. Lads will be wanting to bounce back from the last few weeks and I think we will see another stellar performance. Vardy hat trick. Boom. 

Rodgers said a week or so ago that Vardy woud have to be rested for some of the Christmas/NY fixtures. I think this is one he will sit out. 

[blabyboy]

Would like to see Barnes play at some point, probably one of the better opportunities he has to score as well and start to build confidence again if he is going to be more than just than a high assist player.

 

0-3

[dynamark]

Didnt wolves give the club a lift .Still 2nd and 9 plus GD from 5th.

Must lift the mood for this game surely .Antonio crashed his motor Xmas day apparently lets hope he is slightly injured.

 

[yorkie1999]

Why’s this game on at 5.30. What’s the point in having a late game when it’s not televised, all it does is make the supporters get home late

[Ashley]

3 minutes ago, yorkie1999 said:

Why’s this game on at 5.30. What’s the point in having a late game when it’s not televised, all it does is make the supporters get home late

Extra rest for the players? 

 

We played 8pm boxing day..... 

[Fox85]

Expect a huge performance from maddison today.

 

2 goals and 1 assist 

[ronnup]

Better be a stream 

[The_77]

3 minutes ago, ronnup said:

Better be a stream 

Game is being broadcast here in the States, so there will be plenty 

[leicesterseddon]

A fair number in our squad have seen themselves unable to get a game during our unbeaten run.

 

I don’t want to see wholesale changes, but given recent performances and the number of fixtures it seems sensible to make a few changes. 
 

Can see Hamza featuring, with one of Praet/Tielemans/Maddison dropping to the bench. 
 

Can see him sticking with Barnes but moving him back to the left, with Gray given a go on the right. 
 

Won’t be popular but I can see him resting Vardy and giving Perez a go up front.

 

Would be an interesting move, I’m intrigued whether he’s any better when played in that position...

[Suzie the Fox]

5 minutes ago, ronnup said:

Better be a stream 

There will be as its on NBCSN Gold 

[yorkie1999]

18 minutes ago, Ashley said:

Extra rest for the players? 

 

We played 8pm boxing day..... 

2 1/2 hours!

[themightyfin]

Perez 

[Daggers]

On 26/12/2019 at 21:40, Trav Le Bleu said:

Always wanted to start one of these.

Careful, Icarus. 

[SouthStandUpperTier]

1 minute ago, themightyfin said:

Perez 

What about him?

[Riot Van]

1 minute ago, SouthStandUpperTier said:

What about him?

striker I reckon 

[turtmcfly]

1 hour ago, weller54 said:

Perez and Barnes need benching too.

Like to see Iheanacho start.

Fuchs definitely in for Chilwell.

Praet in for Tielemans.

 

Perez was benched against Liverpool.

 

Barnes I agree with. Nearly all have had poor games in the last week, but against Liverpool he seemed to be almost actively avoiding the ball. Maybe a late cameo if (!) there's clear daylight between the two teams. 

 

There's a danger we're going to overreact to the last two games. As such, I don't agree with the Chilwell call unless it's simply 'seasonal' rotation. If Chilwell was good enough for the previous 17 starts (being an all-present in the best defence in the league up to that point would say that's a fair call) he's absolutely good enough to start against West Ham. Benching him for not being able to keep De Bruyne/Mahrez followed by Salah/TTA out of the game would be perverse. Similarly, don't understand the need for extra protection (i.e. Albrighton) against a team one point off the relegation zone. Bit late for that!

 

We've just played two teams we might have lost to even if we'd been at our best. Let's make that our only dip of the season.