Pre Match Thread | Man City v West Ham

[keemcfc]

I dont think MP will want to start Iheanacho as a single striker too soon, would prefer to phase him into the team. He's given him a couple of outings as a late sub. Ideally the next step would be to bring him on after an hour, then start him against Sunderland in a pair. It would be asking a lot to expect him to lead the line so soon in his senior career.

True I suppose, we could always pair him with Bony at the expense of Roberts for Sunderland, then sub one of those two or a midfielder off for Roberts depending on how it's going

Although if he did play on his own, with the way we play, it's not like he would be exactly isolated up top on his own because, no disrespect to Sunderland but we'll likely have 8 men in their half for most of the game with 5/6 of those in and around the box half the time. But yes I agree it would probably be best to start as a 2 if he were to start.

Anyway I have a feeling that we will line up with Bony on his own against Sunderland anyway which would render all this discussion pointless haha

 

[Kinkladze 1]

Why? Bony isn't playing well and Aguero not at 100%. Pellegrini said he trusts him so why not?

Come on man, do you really think an 18yr old kid with 5min of first team experience is going to start ahead of a £25m Bony? Not going to happen. At best Kelechi will be phased in over the course of the whole season and depending on how he does (great I hope) i wouldn't expect him to start a PL game this season unless both Kun and Bony are injured. He may start a few of the early round cup games though.

 

[Lurkinghammer]

Afternoon gentleman, West Ham fan here. I'm heading up to Manchester for a mate's wedding on Saturday (evening do only) train gets in at 17:20 so planing to watch the game somewhere central beforehand, can you recommend a good boozer preferably near the station?

Looking forward the the game, we seem to be well suited to a counter attacking style this season and if we can keep a clean sheet during the first half I think we have slim chance of nicking one on the break or from a set piece. If you score early though I think we'll be lucky to keep it to a 1 or 2 goal loss. Key for me is if Obiang can keep Silva quiet and Toure against Kouyate in midfield which should be a great battle. Moses looked surprisingly sharp against Newcastle on Monday and with Payet we always have a chance of scoring out of nothing which hasn't been the case for a long time.

If it's still close towards the last 20 mins I'd expect to see Andy Carrol thrown on, especially if Kompany isn't at 100%.

Prediction, 1-1 if we can keep you out for the first half otherwise 3-1 to Manchester City.

Good luck for the rest of the season (after Saturday obviously!)

 

[BatNBall]

I think Sergio will start on Saturday. Changes be made against Sunderland I think. Good win to forget the juve match. The Brantwood club is over from Belfast for this one so piss up aswell Saturday night!

 

[Marvin]

Afternoon gentleman, West Ham fan here. I'm heading up to Manchester for a mate's wedding on Saturday (evening do only) train gets in at 17:20 so planing to watch the game somewhere central beforehand, can you recommend a good boozer preferably near the station?

Looking forward the the game, we seem to be well suited to a counter attacking style this season and if we can keep a clean sheet during the first half I think we have slim chance of nicking one on the break or from a set piece. If you score early though I think we'll be lucky to keep it to a 1 or 2 goal loss. Key for me is if Obiang can keep Silva quiet and Toure against Kouyate in midfield which should be a great battle. Moses looked surprisingly sharp against Newcastle on Monday and with Payet we always have a chance of scoring out of nothing which hasn't been the case for a long time.

If it's still close towards the last 20 mins I'd expect to see Andy Carrol thrown on, especially if Kompany isn't at 100%.

Prediction, 1-1 if we can keep you out for the first half otherwise 3-1 to Manchester City.

Good luck for the rest of the season (after Saturday obviously!)

Usual bars in and around the station, but there's a pub at the bottom of Picadilly "approach" the long ramp that leads down from the main exit called the Waldorf. It's a little set back from the main road, and near a Hotel called malmaison.

http://whatpub.com/pubs/MAS/4507/waldorf-manchester

Maybe you'll get other recommendations.

Sometimes funny results after European games, and WHU have done well in recent aways so I'm a bit wary.

 

[cibaman]

True I suppose, we could always pair him with Bony at the expense of Roberts for Sunderland, then sub one of those two or a midfielder off for Roberts depending on how it's going

Although if he did play on his own, with the way we play, it's not like he would be exactly isolated up top on his own because, no disrespect to Sunderland but we'll likely have 8 men in their half for most of the game with 5/6 of those in and around the box half the time. But yes I agree it would probably be best to start as a 2 if he were to start.

Anyway I have a feeling that we will line up with Bony on his own against Sunderland anyway which would render all this discussion pointless haha

I wonder if he might play him in a 433 at Sunderland?

 

[keemcfc]

I wonder if he might play him in a 433 at Sunderland?

Hopefully, thats kinda what I was getting at when I was saying he won't be isolated with the way we play, he'd have at least 2 of our other attackers within 10 ft of him at all times pretty much :)

 

[GX Blue]

Afternoon gentleman, West Ham fan here. I'm heading up to Manchester for a mate's wedding on Saturday (evening do only) train gets in at 17:20 so planing to watch the game somewhere central beforehand, can you recommend a good boozer preferably near the station?

Looking forward the the game, we seem to be well suited to a counter attacking style this season and if we can keep a clean sheet during the first half I think we have slim chance of nicking one on the break or from a set piece. If you score early though I think we'll be lucky to keep it to a 1 or 2 goal loss. Key for me is if Obiang can keep Silva quiet and Toure against Kouyate in midfield which should be a great battle. Moses looked surprisingly sharp against Newcastle on Monday and with Payet we always have a chance of scoring out of nothing which hasn't been the case for a long time.

If it's still close towards the last 20 mins I'd expect to see Andy Carrol thrown on, especially if Kompany isn't at 100%.

Prediction, 1-1 if we can keep you out for the first half otherwise 3-1 to Manchester City.

Good luck for the rest of the season (after Saturday obviously!)

Yes, the Waldorf is near the station and welcomes away fans.

 

[peoffrey]

I can't recall the name but there is a nice sports bar just off a side street and underneath an apartment block. I'll do some searching and come back to you. Otherwise The Waldorf is a good bet. Nice enough pub.

 

[Stevieatlasblue]

I need two tickets together preferably in the south stand.can anyone help please?