West Ham (h) pre-match thread

[Lomas has a lob on]

Strange side West Ham! They were excellent for large parts of last season, mainly thanks to Payet and Bilic to be fair. But I have actually predicted them to finish mid table at the very best this season.
They've a sprinkling of a few good players and some really efficient ones like Noble, Reid and Cresswell, but the rest of their team/squad is made up of bang average players!

I really like Bilic and I think he has worked wonders there, but I get the feeling this summer hasn't panned out how they expected in terms of recruitment and I just have a feeling with their new home to adapt to also, that they might well struggle.

Watch them smash us now, I've said that!!

 

[aguero93:20]

Like West Ham, can't stand that Marky Mark fucker's taste in music.

 

[blue b4 the moon]

If they play like last night in the first half especially we'll hammer them by 5/6.

All our top 4 forwards had the midweek off.

Let's do this City.

 

[Kinkys Left Foot]

Whilst I quite like West Ham and Slaven Bilić I think he got it badly wrong yesterday. I believe he deliberately rested Payet, Noble and maybe one or two others. I know they do have a few injuries but I expect them to be stronger than last night against us on Sunday. You just can't play B sides in any European competition and expect to win. He should have gone balls deep last night to ensure they qualified and worried about Sundays game after.
Im hoping we make things even worse for them on Sunday.

 

[blue b4 the moon]

After saying we'd smash them they did the same last season put out a poor side in the Europa cup and we all thought what was the point as they play Arse next.......then they won.

 

[uwe rosler 28]

Bravo

Zaba
Stones
Ota
Kolarov

Diniho
Kdb
Silva

Sterling
Aguero
Nolito

Tough game this big physical team that will be well drilled and a danger from set plays! Early goal needed!

 

[Marvin]

Whilst I quite like West Ham and Slaven Bilić I think he got it badly wrong yesterday. I believe he deliberately rested Payet, Noble and maybe one or two others. I know they do have a few injuries but I expect them to be stronger than last night against us on Sunday. You just can't play B sides in any European competition and expect to win. He should have gone balls deep last night to ensure they qualified and worried about Sundays game after.
Im hoping we make things even worse for them on Sunday.

Getting knocked out of the Europa League isn't a big deal for most clubs but I think it was important for WHU who are trying to establish themselves. I think they rested a few in that game as we did, and I don't think that game means much in respect to our game.

We coped really well with Stoke's long ball game. I was worried before that game because City are a small team. West Ham play football, but they are a big side too. With a new keeper we might be vulnerable to set-pieces.

West Ham played really well last season away from home. Counter-attacking suits them. That will test City's tactics of moving defenders into midfield. Helps us to dominate possession, but potentially does leave us open to teams that can retain the ball under pressure and manage to sustain a counter-attack.

Should be an exciting game

 

[Jazzman]

Just hope we take the 3 points here. What a start it would be to go into the first international break having won all our games. Come on City!

 

[cibaman]

Bravo

Zaba
Stones
Ota
Kolarov

Diniho
Kdb
Silva

Sterling
Aguero
Nolito

Tough game this big physical team that will be well drilled and a danger from set plays! Early goal needed!

Assuming Kelechi is out, will Pep keep Nolito on the bench as the fresh substitute striker option?

Will he throw Bravo straight into the line up without having any time to work in training with the defense? Presumably he'll be off to Chile on Monday, so quite a disrupted settling in process.

 

[Bewar3them00n]

West Ham have been poor so far this season, I don't see them posing any more of a threat than Stoke, while I'm not expecting a thrashing, we should be comfortable, City's work rate in closing down and reclaiming the ball will hopefully ensure we put West Ham under the cosh for large parts of the game, and with Aguero, Silva, KDB, Sterling, Fenandinho, Nolito rested, they will be ready to get back in the groove again.