Carl Jenkinson has told those who believe a ‘second string side’ will do battle with FC Astra tonight (Thurs) that “We have got a lot of quality throughout our squad, it speaks for itself.”
Manager Slaven Bilic’s selection is likely to split the fans but Jenkinson clearly has a problem understanding why many think the result is a foregone conclusion in favour of the Romanians.
He said: “The boss has said that he has had to leave a few players at home with one eye on Sunday’s game but the players who came are top players, otherwise you don’t play for West Ham in the Premier League.
“We will have a good team out, we have more than enough ability in this team to win the game.
“We would love to go through, and that is the aim for everyone. For the fans, they would love, in the last season at the stadium, for us to be in Europe – it is a big thing for everyone, we all want to be in Europe and we are going to work hard to do that.”
Bilic added: “We are in a more difficult situation than we would have liked but we will do everything to try to win.
“We have come here with a good team that I have a strong belief in, but it is difficult to play here, then fly back for Arsenal.”
I see the 2 all score line as unfortunate and at the same time flattering to Astra. After all its very thin lines, their goals were a worldy and an unlucky own goal. People wouldn’t be moaning so much if it was 2-1. I’m confident the young side can do the business. Lee to get a goal and Henry to beast it out in the heart of the defence.
I don’t think this squad is so weak, although it’s not our strongest.
We now have three players who understand what european football is all about. Let’s hope the others don’t need another lesson ( sending off )
Don’t for get a lot of this second string was our previous Managers first string,
And Poyet,Oxford,Burke,Page,Henry and Cullen have been good this year,
Lanzini and Samulsun look world class and Magia looks a different player just needs that goal to boost his confidence
Yes in a perfect world we would have our best team out there but the pressure especially by some fans because of fear that we could get relegated has passed Slav and the owners to try and keep everyone happy
WE WILL WIN COYI
Where is Samuelsen. he seems to have dissappeared recently.
He is back to being a kid developing i should think.He is a good prospect i would say.Nothing more though at this stage.Love your positve comment though bubs.Dont really see Lanzini & Samuelsen as looking ‘world class’ though.I will have a pint of what you are drinking,lol
We should have enough to get through even with our second string. I thought their keeper made some fantastic saves last week and kept the score down. their goals were a wonder strike and a deflection. Adrian didn’t really have to do much else.
Assuming they might be a bit more attack minded at home it should give us more space to play – here’s hoping.
If we manage to keep 11 players on the pitch the whole game we will have a chance. Thanks to ginge we threw the 1st leg away after we were in a strong position, don’t let that happen again. 2-1 West Ham coyi
He sounded pretty incoherent and nervous. As though he was waiting for an awkward questions.
How does he he think a team full of youngsters and one or two 1st team squad members are going to beat Astra seeing as our 1st team couldn’t would of been the question I would liked to have asked.
Really ****ing me off about this now
Maybe that’s the point? If our first team can’t beat them, for dodgy refereeing/injuries whatever/dirty opposition tactics, why put them through it again? Send out the second string who aren’t as vital to the whole season.
If it was ‘a big thing for everyone’ then the first team would be out there,lol,obviously isnt as big a thing as they are making out 😉