West Ham (a) pre-match thread

[RandomJ]

A moment of silence for all those poor souls who triple captained Aguero.

 

[DRINKLEVEDRY]

Fucking madness leaving Bernardo out

"All I know is this nobody's very big in the first place, and it looks to me everybody spends their whole life tearing everybody else down"

 

[willipp]

Just a word of advice,to all.....Over reactionary bollocks like this in the matchday thread won't be tolerated.

Bloody hell, it will be quiet in there then. The flappers come out when we aren’t 7 up after 4 minutes.

 

[Manchester_lalala]

Brilliant man management by Pep. Everyone knows Bernardo and Sergio are probably the first names on the team sheet, but this is a new season and everyone is expecting a little bit more from Jesus and Mahrez. Putting them in the first game of the season is the perfect chance for them to show Pep what they can do.

 

[ws01]

It’s also great for Mahrez’s psychology. If he starts this season on the bench again, it just feels like an extension of last season and maybe he isn’t as engaged and switched on. Coming straight into the team SHOULD really get him focused on claiming a place in this team. He should feel different going out onto that pitch today. He’s won the AFCON, he’s fit and ready, he ended the season with a great goal at Brighton. I think he’ll continue.

Was thinking the same thing, he really seems to be a guy that has to be backed and made to feel like he's playing a big part, rather than a bit part.

Starting him in the opener sends that message, it's up to him now to take his chance - especially with Leroy out until next year.

 

[SWP's back]

Is anyone surprised Bernardo is on the bench?

No mate, it’s not been mentioned really.

 

[dachoosen1]

Surprised no Angelino on the bench to be honest. Hope he is up to our standard desperate for him to do well now he has returned but he didn't have the best pre season now he is dropped for the first game.

 

[SebastianBlue]

Bloody hell, it will be quiet in there then. The flappers come out when we aren’t 7 up after 4 minutes.

It’s 9 up after 15 minutes.

We aren’t alarmists.

 

[Tricky_Trev]

I'd have called the guy who had Mahrez over Bernardo in his first XI foolish...

Bernardo didn't look sharp during the preseason and wasn't exactly brilliant against Liverpool either. Hope he regains form quickly.

I don’t remember who it was, but he started it by saying “call me bonkers, but...”

It was a great call!

 

[thelongbowman]

Fantasy league stuffed on game 1. Thanks Pep ;)

I fucking hate these FF comments, who cares about your silly fantasies.