Odd things can happen on opening day which is why I look forward to Sunday with hope in my heart as the new Hammers go looking for a famous result.
We long remember going to Arsenal and grabbing a 2-0 win but there are more recent examples of how the odds can be upset on the first day of the season.
Last year is a good example when Chelsea were beaten 3-2 at Stamford Bridge by Burnley and on the other side of the capital, Palace were thrashed 3-0 by Huddersfield.
Our opponents tomorrow – Liverpool – meanwhile could only manage a point at Watford in a high scoring 3-3 affair at Vicarage Road.
The Reds could never be entirely relied upon as home bankers showing their fragility now and again when being held 1-1 and 0-0 twice at Anfield to Burnley, West Brom and Stoke.
So I guess the conclusion is that if we are to meet Liverpool then tomorrow is a pretty good time to do so and if you like a bet, the Hammers are as long as 12/1 in some places to win with the draw being offered at around 5/1.
We’ve had a decent pre-season, and of course, the team needs time to gel, but unlike the pundits at large I don’t believe this is a lost cause
And with both managers liking to get on the front foot, I see goals and reckon a 2-2 draw is a reasonable bet. Regardless of the scoreline, I am confident the Hammers can get a positive result.
Here’s what I see as the likely line up: Adrian; Fredericks, Ogbonna, Diop, Cresswell; Rice; Noble, Anderson, Wilshere, Yarmolenko, Arnautovic.
Totally agree with that team, except I think he might pick Balbuena over Diop. I would rather he picked Balbuena over Ogbonna.
Otherwise that team gives us the best chance of protecting the back four while also attacking without fear.
I think he might pick Balbuena at right cb and Diop at left, I think Ogbonna is an excellent defender but when he doesn’t play in a three (in pre-season) and the right CB drifts right he should close the gap by drifting right but he leaves it just open and we were wide open through the middle a couple of times because of it, that may be something that is just communication related and new players adjusting to each others but we will see, as for tomorrows game, I am open to all possibilities, we might get hammered it can happen against Liverpool as it does if you face City but as mentioned there is that 50% chance that we are meeting them at the right time to get a result COYI !!!
Mmm..realism prevails. Insuficient pace, no midfield enforcer. Perhaps ManU vs Leicester will be a more realistic guideline. Lots of chasing and some creativity from us to be expected. Hope is one thing, realism quite another. When we play the likes of Everton, Wolves, Palace, Leicester we’ll get a better idea of what we can go for this season. Today ain’t about demolishing LFC; It is, for me, about making a realistic assessment of what we can look forward to over the season as this squad plays together, what the big money signings can do, who can stay fit ..sorry Jack.. and ultimately what we have in the tank to sustain an improved season in every sense of ‘improved’. COYI
Well put ruff every body will find anfeild tuff this season
“Insufficient pace” ? Maybe noble and Wiltshire but the rest of the team has bags of it ,they have to unlock it and we potentially could give liverpools defense a tough game
It’s Wilshire, but easy mistake. What isn’t an easy mistake is to overlook Wilshire’s reputation for quick bursts of pace to take him past defenders. He isn’t know for outright pace, like a striker or winger might be, when in changes of pace, he is extremely skilled.
No, it’s Wilshere, but easy mistake.
Well , the Skysports Fab Four pundits gave Watford no chance against Brighton today ., and they probably think the same about West Ham’s chances against Liverpool . As long as Liverpool don’t get lucky like Man Utd it’s anyone’s game . ( penalty after 2 mins for a silly handball )