West Ham (h) pre-match thread

[ojeme]

The way I see it with regards the yellow cards is that Vinny’s and Ferny’s games lend themselves to the odd booking whilst Sane’s game doesn’t. But we are playing West Ham at home so I do not anticipate many last minute desperate challenges and surely the benefit of keeping them playing and match fit outweigh the very small risk lots of people on this forum are fretting about?

As regards Sane if doesn’t play against the hammers (assuming he doesn’t fly to the mid week dead rubber) then he will have missed 3 games on the trot. That is not good preparation for an important player who relies on pace and sharpness, a player who will keep their anticipated parked bus stretched which is really important in order to create space for KDB and Silva to exploit.

Well said.

Please god let us rest Dinho and Kompany for certain today.

People worrying about us not beating West Ham without them but think we’d be fine away to United without them are mental.

Absolutely plausible to draw vs WHU and then win at old trafford. That's why it's called the old beautiful game. However I'd rest Kompany and Dinho (as you a have suggested) for Mangala and Yaya but play Sane.

It's more likely that we would require attacking genius more than defensive genius in this one so I'd play Sane. Risky I know but so is not starting him.

Also just as someone has pointed out, its far easier for the former duo to pick yellows.

 

[Lovebitesandeveryfing]

I’ve changed my mind a bit on this one, since posting on Thursday. But then, I hadn’t anticipated United picking up all six points (and I confess I’m a bit surprised about that one). Forget the derby for a second. Let’s get the three points here, for sure, and reestablish that nice eight points gap before going anywhere else. Then we can go to Old Trafford relaxed, but fully focused.
Strongest team possible for this, get a couple of goals in, then sub off the obvious candidates. That’s the way I now see it. Send the tea lady and the rest of it to Shaktar. As for those who are on a possible ban, they should know how to be pro enough and disciplined enough not to pick up a yellow (and I’m particularly thinking of Fern and Vinny here). It’s not rocket science. And no, I don’t happen to believe that every single ref is out to get us.

 

[IM NOT REALLY HERE]

I agree with lovebites, we should not even be thinking about anything other than today’s game. Strongest side possible then get 2 goals in front and it’s at this point we can think about future games and rotate players.

 

[fergal_oc]

What @Lovebitesandeveryfing said

 

[mosssideblue]

Wouldn't rest anybody , this game needs to be won .

Absolutely spot on. The most important game in any season is the next one and that is WHU today. Put the strongest team out to win the points and then start again for the next one. If we are comfortable, then make the subs. Dont start weakened with a strong bench JIC. Hopefully Pep will think this way too.

 

[gordondaviesmoustache]

Please god let us rest Dinho and Kompany for certain today.

People worrying about us not beating West Ham without them but think we’d be fine away to United without them are mental.

Completely agree.

 

[mosssideblue]

why would you risk them being banned for the derby when we have a squad to cover,at the moment we have a slight advantage with pog banned

I think WH may actually give us more probs that the rags. WH are in a desperate place (similar to playing relegated threatened teams towards the end of the season) whilst the rags will have an arrogance about them and play accordingly - just my opinion.

 

[Tb1981]

We should not play mangala ever if we need to win a game!!!!
Forget united and win this game first
If we are in the lead bring players off

Mangala is a liability
He is sort to get sent off in first ten mins and we lose

3 points to get back to a lead of 8 is important

Then worry bout united

Play mangala midweek when it is irrelevant

 

[Tb1981]

And when we play mangala mid week we won’t win
But that’s the winning run over before united
So they can fuck of trying to end it!!

 

[mosssideblue]

Put it another way no 3 points tomorrow and the derby becomes even harder. We have struggled without a full strength side especially against the defensive sides. Let’s get the three points tomorrow as I think some are going to be surprised how difficult tomorrow will be. They have a couple of pacy players and Vinnie looks a little rusty.

I agree with you mate and would rather face the rags 8 points up with (god forbid) a key player suspended rather than 5/6 points with a full squad as we know anything can happen over 90 mins. Going to the swamp 8 ahead puts even more pressure on them. I'm sure pep wont be taking any unnecessary risks today