West Ham United (H) - Wed 3rd May, 20:00 | Pre-Match Thread

[Mancini Manus Domini]

West Ham look decidedly dodgy at the back, take care of Bowen and Antonio and we should manage the three points.

Zouma went off injured for them at the weekend, and should be out. They'll be even more susceptible at the back.

 

[foggy1974]

I'd keep playing our strongest team other than resting a few because we have the players to match them.

................Ortega.................
Walker Dias Stones Laporte
.Bernardo Rodri Gundogan.
Alvarez ...Ederson ....Foden

Are you Stuart Pearce

 

[SWP's back]

Haaland needs a rest. I think Pep left him on because he won’t start on Wednesday.

I’ve triple captained him (I also just bought KDB for this week whilst selling Salah) so you’re probably right.

 

[train man]

No-one is putting kdb in - has he been confirmed as unavailable for this and/or Leeds..?

 

[Manchester33]

You’re all overly critical of Phillips. Yes, Rodri is in another league, but many players take a year to settle under Pep. I hope this time next year people are eating their words (like they have done with Grealish, Rodri, Ake etc).

It’s a little unfair to judge a defensive player who’s only really appeared as a bit-part sub.

I think we should trust him and give him the chance, maybe against Leeds, so Rodri is fresher for Madrid.

 

[M Gaudino]

We have to rotate for this one. looked dead on our feet 2nd half - Rodri and Gundogan both look exhausted. Grealish as well.

 

[domalino]

You’re all overly critical of Phillips. Yes, Rodri is in another league, but many players take a year to settle under Pep. I hope this time next year people are eating their words (like they have done with Grealish, Rodri, Ake etc).

It’s a little unfair to judge a defensive player who’s only really appeared as a bit-part sub.

I think we should trust him and give him the chance, maybe against Leeds, so Rodri is fresher for Madrid.

Unfortunately I think at this point we have to accept Peps refusal to play him at all shows he’s a very different prospect to other players who took time to settle - grealish, Bernardo, Sané, Cancelo etc all played loads in their first season and it just didn’t quite happen for them, Phillips isn’t even getting on the pitch when we make 10 changes.

 

[blueparrot]

Unfortunately I think at this point we have to accept Peps refusal to play him at all shows he’s a very different prospect to other players who took time to settle - grealish, Bernardo, Sané, Cancelo etc all played loads in their first season and it just didn’t quite happen for them, Phillips isn’t even getting on the pitch when we make 10 changes.

Rodri is pivotal to how we play, only last week Pep said how Rodri had to learn to stay still. I expect Pep is working with Phillips on this and his game and will continue that pre season. I'm sure he will stay and play much more next season. What he won't do is let him lear on the job at this point of the season.

 

[Tevez City]

________________Ederson_____________

Walker_________Dias____________Laporte

_______Rodri_________Bernardo______

Mahre___Gundogan_____Alvarez____Grealish

_____________Haaland___________

 

[BlueMoonRisin’]

If Aké is back couldn't John boy be considered as a holding midfielder, so that at least one of Rodri or Gundo could be on the bench? Just a thought, anyway.

Stones is ideal to play as a DM. Far better than that useless lump of Leeds lard.

 

[alexmcity]

We'll have to take risks with team selections having Madrid in mind. Guess our plan is to field a strong team vs W Ham in order to secure a win and put Arsenal under pressure before their game with Newcastle. We are likely to field a more experimental team vs Leeds.

 

[Protein Junkie]

Every game is a must win now, every game like a cup final. Have to pick the strongest available side for this one, if we really must rest anybody then do that in the Leeds game.

I’m with you on this Semper.
Imho we have a strongest 15 not 11 so a couple of variables just to freshen up a bit.
Bernie defo starter and hopefully Sir Phillip is ready too.Maybe play Laporte too.
No good resting too many as it will be moot if we drop points.
Hope Nathan and KDB not out for too long hopefully.

 

[christened at st marks]

---------------Ederson

Walker---Akanji---Dias---Laporte

---------Rodri----Bernardo-----

-------------Gundo---------------

Foden-----Haaland-----Alvarez

 

[i went to rotherham]

Shame we can't trust Phillips for this one

It's time we gave the lad some game time. He's not a junior, he's a £40+mil man, fully seasoned international player.
I'm not Phillips biggest fan but Rhodri is running on fumes at the moment and we need him for bigger games than this.

 

[Tony - MCFC]

Expecting another difficult slog of a game. I think we’ll win but will take patience.

As a few have said above would be ideal if Phillips could step in, but he won’t, clearly isn’t trusted at all.

 

[Zenmanc]

Get the game won early & we can make 5 subs around the 70th minute.

You're having a laugh. The only way we make 5 subs at around the 70th minute will be if 5 players suddenly double over ill on the pitch and even then Pep likely would have them carry on.

 

[Oyster28catcher]

You're having a laugh. The only way we make 5 subs at around the 70th minute will be if 5 players suddenly double over ill on the pitch and even then Pep likely would have them carry on.

Think the rules state we can only sub upto 3 at any one given time.

 

[marco]

should be able to rest some here and the fans can make the 12th man,bring the noise and lets push them over the line

 

[M Gaudino]

I’ve triple captained him (I also just bought KDB for this week whilst selling Salah) so you’re probably right.

free yourself from the tyranny of fantasy league. its rubbish

 

[M Gaudino]

id bring lewis back in and rest rodders and gundogan if we can. they looked knackered.

Ederson

Walker Akanaji Laporte

Stones Lewis

Bernie

Mahrez Alvarez Haaalnd Foden