West Ham (h) pre-match thread

[BlueAnorak]

Yes. Toughest game. Away to the team in second.

But we're not playing Chelsea next week.

 

[mancity1]

Despite three players on yellow I think only rotation and game time comes into Pep's thoughts.

I think for that reason Sane will start assuming he is over his illness as its been described.

Vinny will probably be rested as will Ferny but I suspect both will be on the bench.

If Arsenal can win today then a win for us and we will be 11 points clear of Manure going into a derby where all the pressure will be on them especially at home.

 

[cadds92]

I just think we need our key players for Utd. Sane, Fernandinho, Kompany are all key players. Whether a long trip away in Europe would benefit the likes of Kompany I’m not sure. I agree Sane needs some game time though.

I don't know mate, but I listened to the 93:20 podcast yesterday and the lad Ahsan had on with him alluded to him hearing that City are going out to Ukraine for 4 days next week.

If that's the case the entire squad will be going out.

 

[Easy]

This idea that Pep is just going to willingly throw away our winning run in Ukraine by playing a B team with a few kids in there and potentially ruin momentum is dreamland in my opinion.

If we lose to Shakhtar then the United game becomes just not lose. Pep won't want to have potentially two back to back losses as it risks a media campaign of City starting to bottle it affecting the players.

If Fernandinho, Sane and Kompany don't play against West Ham I think they okay against Shakhtar.

Leroy has already had a week off, no way will he have two off if he misses West Ham and Shakhtar.

I just think two weeks off is too much at this stage of the season a season it can leave you with a significant edge taken off your game compared to those around you and facing you.

Agree with this. Two weeks off is too much for Sane, doing risks him having an off game vs the rags. We should rest him tomorrow and give him 60 minutes against Shakhtar. Originally thought he should start tomorrow but it is too much of a risk. If still 0-0 first he will be frustrated and I could easily see him getting a yellow and would be a major loss against the rags. Keep him on the bench just in case. I do think Fern and Kompany can do with a 10 day rest before the derby and slot back in.

 

[come-on-barney]

As has been said let’s go for the win with a strong side put the pressure on the rags especially if they don’t win today. Although I am sure Wenger will roll over.

 

[cadds92]

Agree with this. Two weeks off is too much for Sane, doing risks him having an off game vs the rags. We should rest him tomorrow and give him 60 minutes against Shakhtar. Originally thought he should start tomorrow but it is too much of a risk. If still 0-0 first he will be frustrated and I could easily see him getting a yellow and would be a major loss against the rags. Keep him on the bench just in case. I do think Fern and Kompany can do with a 10 day rest before the derby and slot back in.

Agree on Fernandinho.

I think Vinny will play against Shakhtar as he needs games because for me he still looks way off a high level performance in my opinion.

I think the Shakhtar line-up may surprise a few.

 

[Easy]

Agree on Fernandinho.

I think Vinny will play against Shakhtar as he needs games because for me he still looks way off a high level performance in my opinion.

I think the Shakhtar line-up may surprise a few.

I could see it. Would make sense to rest Otamendi as he has played 90 min in the last 3 matches and likely will again tomorrow.

 

[SWP's back]

Disagree , we have a decent record at the swamp , and certainly not the toughest game just because they are in 2nd place , chelsea , spuds , dippers and wenger are all notoriously more difficult for our club , we have already put chelsea to the sword the current defending champions , but i do agree we should rest players against the likes of West Ham especially if we have players under the threat of suspension.

Hahaha take it your a stress head

But we're not playing Chelsea next week.

Whether it’s the toughest, second toughest or sixth toughest, it’s considerably harder than West Ham at Home when talking about Kompany and Dinho being needed more for the former.

 

[cadds92]

I could see it. Would make sense to rest Otamendi as he has played 90 min in the last 3 matches and likely will again tomorrow.

Agree mate.

I think it will be Kompany and Mangala against Shakhtar.

I also see Walker playing tomorrow with Danilo at left back, but against Shakhtar Danilo will come in for Walker with Delph going back to left back.

Both will have had pretty much a week off then, albeit at different times.

 

[Easy]

Agree mate.

I think it will be Kompany and Mangala against Shakhtar.

I also see Walker playing tomorrow with Danilo at left back, but against Shakhtar Danilo will come in for Walker with Delph going back to left back.

Both will have had pretty much a week off then, albeit at different times.

It’s difficult to pick but I think Pep will rest Walker tomorrow. Just had a look and Walker has played the last 5 full matches and Delph the last 2 only. So I think tomorrow we’ll see Danilo finally start again at RB with Delph at LB. Then vs Shakhtar Danilo LB and Walker again RB. Not ideal before the derby but I feel Walker with a week’s rest can then go on and play Shakhtar and the rags. Delph to play tomorrow and have a week’s rest before the derby. If Zinchenko was CL eligible it would things a lot easier but unfortunately he is not.