Okay, so back to the football and a key battle against Crystal Palace.
Personally, I’m Payet-ed out and need to spend some time looking at a game which once again falls into the must win category particularly as that well known figure from Dudley is now in charge at Selhurst Park.
With no Payet around the free kick issue is one that could be interesting as with the Frenchman in the team there was no alternative but to hand him the ball to him.
But three players, who will almost certainly be playing tomorrow have been gagging for an opportunity to take them will get their chance.
Step up Aaron Cresswell, Manu Lanzini and Andy Carroll – every one of home is capable of burying a set piece from the right distance.
Corners may be a different story with Sofiane Feghouli presumably first in line and hopefully Mark Noble at the back of the queue.
Maybe the cart is before the horse and I should have discussed the team first but I think it nearly speaks for itself: Randolph, Nortveidt, Reid, Ogbonna, Cresswell; Antonio, Noble, Obiang, Lanzini, Feghouli and Carroll.
This is of course a critical period of games for Noble who really needs to pick the pace up in midfield if he’s to have any chance of forcing his way past Obiang or Kouyate on his return from Afcon.
This of course could be a big bonus tomorrow (Sat) as Noble will know his game has been very short at times this season and he will have a tremendous opportunity to start on his “trial period” with a top performance against a not very good side.
Hughie’s prediction: 1-0 (Carroll)
Yep 2 Antonio’s Hugh. Great plan that will fool Sam!
LOL – corrected LOL
You have no idea how much of a must win this game is. As well as the obvious need for three points, to improve confidence, to move up the table, to support Slav and to stick it up the Fat French Poof as well as the Fat Northern git…….I live in what you would call the Palace catchment zone, half way between the Eagles and the Seagulls, so not only will I have to travel with half of them tomorrow, my neighbour is a Palace fan and my mate is a Palace ST holder…..I ‘affectionately’ call them the ‘Interbred South London Window Cleaners’…..not that I have anything against window cleaners you understand. But oh this really is a must win.
As much as I love Antonio, I don’t think it’s fair to expect him to split into two
My prediction …….West Ham 2 Crystal Palace 1
Feghouli won’t be playing…..I think Antonio and Fernandes will be the wing backs with Lanzini slotted in behind Carroll. Noble and Obiang in the middle.
I think this game could depend on who is on the bench. The team could be a bit predictable, so impact subs might be needed to scupper Sam’s plans.
I think I would rather use Fernandes in a more advanced role, leaving Feghouli on the bench.
We need a huge injection of confidence to lift all the gloom at the moment.A win over Palace and a statement of intent from the board on incoming players as that is all stagnant as well at the moment.How about giving the traitor to Chelsea in exchange for Batshuayi for starters?.
One problem there 64 Fat Frog & Batman are old mates from OM i believe.Dont you think Porkie will have been in Bats ear rubbishing us.
I hope Slav put’s Martinez into the number 10 role see if they can avoid spending 15m on Hogan. I guess a lot will depend on how aggressive Bilic will be with his team selection, confidence maybe fragile but the crowd myself included are likely to be in boisterous mood so if we can get on the front foot early and get us all involved we can have a good win. Defensively this season up until now Palace have been poor so I am optimistic we can create some chances as with most games it is going to depend on the first goal and the attitude of the players to all that has happened this week. My team would be, Randolph, Cresswell, Reid, Collins, Byram, Feghouli, Lanzini, Obiang,Antonio (if fit) Martinez and Carroll. If Antonio is still unwell I would put Fernandes on the left. I suspect though Slav might play Noble mainly because of his experience of being in similar situations numerous times which would be the opposite of what I would personally want but understandable. If I was Slav I would suggest that it is time for the boys to become men, ask them to step up their games and accept responsibility, can’t wait for the game COYI !!!
this is Lenzini”s time to shine and step out of the little ***** shadow I really think he can Martinez on the bench for me lets see what he is made of
and I hope everyone sing slaven bilic claret and blue army
I have just been reading Slavs piece in the ES.Interesting article as it happens 😉
Noble doesn’t look fit to me and Lanzini is lightweight and easily overpowered, so all in all I think it could be a tough afternoon.
If I knew where I could put on a bet at the Olympic Stadium I’d have £20 on Tomkins to score – invariably returning players always cause problems!
I would say i agree about noble but im not sure doubting him in any way shape or form is allowed.
Supporters are not silly in the ground they watch with their own two eyes that Noble is having a bit of a stinker of a season.Is it wrong to express that view because it doesnt sit easy with others.
I didnt particularly like things being said about Zaza i just found them unnecessary.But much of the time these insults were coming from fans who will not see a bad word written about Noble.
I base my opinions on what a player is bringing to the table throughout the season,not on the thickness of the claret & blue blood in his veins.
I think Lanzini really has a chance to step out of a shadow now. I hope Bilic has told him this and I fully expect him to step up tomorrow. Would also like to see Martinez at some point. I know Noble comes in for criticism and rightly so this season but I’m sure he would have rallied the boys this afternoon.
Let’s make it a cauldron of noise tomorrow. This is our chance and our time to prove all those critics and doubters that we aren’t a one man team. Let each and every player know know how much we are behind them! COYI!!!!!!!!!!!!