West Ham (h) pre-match thread

[mosssideblue]

If we win Tomorrow and Lose the derby we are still 5 points in front
If we play a weakened team and lost or draw tomorrow and then still lose the derby then we are only 2 or 3 points in front.

Of course we would all hate to lose the Derby, but I would prefer to come out of the two matches five points ahead plus goal difference.

Full strength tomorrow, then take the derby as it comes.
Whatever team we turn up at the swamp with, we know Mo will park the bus and try to hit us on the break. Our squad should be good enough to cope with that.

This all day long

 

[mosssideblue]

Would be funny if Sterling gets another last minute winner just to piss off the rags

Not for any blues it wouldn't

 

[mosssideblue]

Three players one booking from missing the swamp match

Should we not play other key personnel in case of injury?- no, we should play our strongest line up to get it won and what will be will be for the swamp game

 

[mosssideblue]

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.

Totally agree and particularly more so with the rags winning last night. 3 points today is now our priority. I think some are more hung up about it being the rags next week, as if it were not the rags next week I feel most would be comfortable in playing those on 4 cards

 

[SWP's back]

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

So let me ask you, given the fact Kompany is virtually picking up a yellow each game, how would we get on away to United With Mangala?

 

[cadds92]

Need to score in the first 10 minutes.

Do that and the score could be whatever we want it to be.

 

[bluemcr]

No tinkering with this match, strongest team possible and try and get the 3 points. Going into the derby with an 8 point gap, as people said lose that we are still 5 points ahead even 6 with goal difference.

 

[SWP's back]

Should we not play other key personnel in case of injury?- no, we should play our strongest line up to get it won and what will be will be for the swamp game

If we had a player with an above 50% chance of getting injured against West Ham then no, playing them wouldn’t be a good idea.

If we can’t use the squad to replace two players and beat West Ham at home then a) what’s the point of having a squad and b) what do you think would happen next week without them?

We’ve got more than enough to win both by thinking ahead and utilising our squad.

 

[SWP's back]

Completely agree.

That’s because you’re a thinker.

 

[mosssideblue]

If we had a player with an above 50% chance of getting injured against West Ham then no, playing them wouldn’t be a good idea.

If we can’t use the squad to replace two players and beat West Ham at home then a) what’s the point of having a squad and b) what do you think would happen next week without them?

We’ve got more than enough to win both by thinking ahead and utilising our squad.

What will people feel if Bravo has to play next week, or we lose Kev due to a bad tackle?

I agree we are capable of beating WH but capable of and actually doing it are not the same. People are hung up about the rags being next after WH and that we should somehow protect people for a forthcoming game. If we are that far ahead of the rags in terms of playing ability and depth of squad, what's the problem?

I believe Pep will not take chances today as 3 points today is his priority.