As ever the war of words started soon after the decision was made: I’m talking about the postponement of the game at Manchester City yesterday.
As is always the case, some agreed and some disagreed but not being a meteorologist or health and safety expert I’ll leave that decision with those possibly more qualified to make it.
All my sympathies go to those brilliant Hammers fans who made the journey on the most awful day of the winter so far – you are amazing and I trust you got back without too much discomfort.
Beyond that. however, I’m not sure I’m sorry the game was called off as frankly this was not one we needed in our present circumstances with Liverpool to follow.
As Allen Cummings wrote on the ClaretandHugh Facebook forum “things are looking up when Brighton and Watford draw, Bournemouth are beaten and we are undefeated.” Joke!
It was only last week that the manager had a full seven days on the training ground with the squad including his two new players since arriving and this week he has given them time off with their families. Good move.
They should be ready for Anfield with the new boys absorbed far better into things after the manager has hopefully got his messages through ahead of Anfield.
There’s also an outside chance that Yarmolenko and Anderson could be involved in the squad but in any event we will be in a better position to given a decent account of ourselves with some difficult times behind us.
HOPEFULLY Storm Ciara was an Irons blessing in disguise.
COYI
I disagree. Playing City in the driving rain and swirling wind would have given us a chance. We stand zero chance when playing in fair conditions. City and Liverpool were free hits anyway. I would have rathered played it even with morale low.
Even if we had a full strength team playing at the top of their game, we would still be cut to pieces by a L’pool team in full flight. They have only dropped 2 points all season so we haven’t a hope in hell of getting anything, the best we can hope for is to keep it from being an embarrassment.
Our defence is a joke & Klopp’s will exploit that giving our gd a battering.
I am happy that we didnt have to face City and Liverpool in consecutive fixtures as two hammerings on the spin might have dented confidence. As others have pointed out by the time we face City they may have their attention focussed on teh Champions League
I know that Liverpool are pretty awesome – but I believe that they will still drop points this season – so maybe we will get lucky and get a point 0-0 with the post being MOM – BFS 19th century football reprised – I dont care if we can get a point
I disagree. Never a better time to play city with their injuries. No doubt the likes of sterling will be back the next time we play them.
I’m in the Agree camp with you Hugh. TWO beatings in a row is definitely NOT what we need right now and as you said, it will give our new players a chance to get up to speed and our players back from injury a chance to recuperate fully.
Needed a footie fix. Watched the Watford v BHA match. Appalling, even by WHU standards. If they aren’t relegated it will be a travesty.
The rest and training are a must for our squad. They need to become a team, not just a Sunday afternoon, shirts vs skins, pick-up squad that trades players mid-match if things are too uneven. Need to figure out if anyone can play alongside Ogbonna, among other things.
ManC is not the team of last year. I think we can steal points from them if we are prepared. Particularly if LVP has sealed the EPL and ManC has nothing to play for.
LVP played just hard enough to win, last outing against us. They may get complacent.
Regardless, the Gods said no match and our immediate competition for the bottom did us a favour. The sun shone in Manchester yesterday, just couldn’t see it.
There are no blessings just hard work grit and determination and belief! Just ask any of our old heroes (they weren’t on a quarter of what today’s professional players earn?) All weather conditions loads of fixtures they just got on with it?? Probably why we haven’t won any thing of value for 40 years today’s professional players play more for money than the badge!!
Would have rather played them in the worst possible conditions then had the time off. Even their second team is more expensive and capable of winning than all bar Liverpools first team. We won’t know until the end of the season whether it’s right or wrong decision. Hope it proves to be a lucky break and inspired choice not to play the revised fixture this weekend COYI!!!