I’m not a believer in looking back but I need to say this before starting – Saturday at Villa was bitterly disappointing and things need to change today against Southampton.
There’s no question that we are going into games looking for a point and we are better than that. We have to aim higher. Three draws represents one win in points and that’s not good enough.
We seem to have adopted an approach which says that so long as we can get though a difficult injury period we’ll be fine but there are no givens in this game and the players we have must do better than they have done.
To be honest I’d sooner see us win one and lose one – although I obviously want to win them all – than go on like this because it’s sending out the wrong message.
We have to get on the front foot, We have to attack and the midfield needs to join in a lot more. It’s not happening and it must because at the moment West Ham simply don’t know how to win.
We have to break that and we need the players to step up in a big way today and put it on Saints. They are coming off big win against Arsenal so we have to give them something to think about and dent their confidence early.
We need to attack them and the fans have a massive part to play – we are at home and our lot will give it some real welly and passion. But there can’t be any negative stuff going on. That helps nobody.
I want to see Carl Jenkinson back in the team because he gives real forward momentum and we need others to really step up to the plate – that’s what always has to happen at times like this.
The other players are on the way back and we have a chance of Lanzini playing which will help but there needs to big a big change around in attitude.
We need a win to go into the New Year with the massive confidence boost only a win can bring. We have a good squad of players and with the right mental approach tonight, we can win.
It’s no good scoring a goal if we let in more Hugh sorry that’s the rocket science I understand,
Jenkinson gives us nothing but a defensive problem,it’s about as positive as picking Jelavic if Sakho was fit,
I agree Leroy has his right to his opinion and earn the it playing with his heart for our club
and I have not attacked him personally but that does not mean he has got it wrong about Jenkinson,
The keeper and back 4 plus Kouyate and Song have stepped up to the plate,
Antonio has given everything he has,Valencia is coming to full fitness
The finger should be pointed at the problems Noble give us nothing
Zarate needs to know this is a team game,
We just need the rub of the green which could come today but weakening the team will not improve our chances
Just an old mans opinion No pop at anyone
This will be a real test of our spirit & unless we raise our tempo 200% we could get a caning here. Southampton dominated Arsenal in midfield through Wanyama. He controlled everything & that’s where it will be won or lost. Noble will start & if he does the turn & think about thing we are done for. Antonio needs to step to his promises & Lanzini if risked late will make little difference if we are chasing the game. Obiang to start instead of Song. Adrian Jenkinson Collins Tomkins Ogbonna Obiang Noble Kouyate Zarate Valencia Antonio. Carroll, Song & Hendrie on late. I doubt Bilic will risk Lanzini at all but then if we step up we may not have to. This game will tell us a lot about ourselves. Southampton are a very good side & will move up the table but they are beatable. Lets hope the Arsenal game took it out of them. Fancy Adrians going to be busy though.
Definitely agree with the sentiment Leroy but defensively Jenkinson was non existant, if the midfield help out more as you say that will help whomever is up front, it has been safety first, we have been unfortunate in that 6 of our 8 best players have been injured so the points return is ok but we still should have won at least two of those games and against Swansea and Villa we got what we deserved, the team need a rocket up them to attack and Valenica should be playing through the middle not as part of a 5 man midfield. I am not sure what Obiang needs to do to get selected but he is a goal scoring midfielder and should be in the team probably at the expense of Noble.
Agree with Leroy,s assessment of the midfield as its obvious that is where the problem is.
Noble ,no pace -no vision and no leadership ?,
As pointed out again and again ,zarate has a sticky boot and not a team player !
Kouyate gives his all but IMO he needs a rest !
To be fair on jenkinson who I would like sent back asap the goal v villa was not his fault
it was a ref who helped villa at every opportunity ! a cheat !!!
If noble starts today , and he will , he needs to play a captains role and lead by example !
IMO he does not have that ability ,he is no Moore , bonds , martin ,
Jenkinßon will not be able to cope with the saints attack and is a liability ! Tompkins if fit is the player to continue with as already mentioned the m/f doing what its paid for.
If carol and lanzini feature from the off then Antonio needs to act as an out and out winger providing the ammo for carol with Valencia doing the same and lanzini in the 10 role obiang and song in the d/m with a back four of oxford ,oggbona , Collins ,on’s tommo.
Cullen , noble ,kouyate , jenks and the boy part it on the bench !!
But noble will play and we will get overrun ? IMO.down the middle ! That’s the area I would go for if I was koeman ?
Let’s see if the legend can get another 7? Like the last 2 games , laughable ,
I love my team but noble is becoming a Nolan !! Only a blind man can’t see it !
Want Jenkinson back because after 4.5 games without conceding a goal he comes on and they score,( GREAT )
Valencia is now ready for take off but not as a solo forward,
Zarate needs a wake up call from Slav ( pass the ball and work harder or leave )
Noble needs a long rest and use Callum to give us more forward momentum,
Antonio needs using as an old fashion winger on a forward replacement then Jenks can watch and learn how to defend from the bench,
Bring Samulsun back from Loan and give him a run,
But the Ref robbed us in the last game and we don’t need to change to much just need a break and the backing of our great fans
His point is we need more attacking impetus – it’s not rocket science working the point out Bubs surely –
I agree with you leroy
I have just been sorting out my dream team today and noticed that it’s just not us who are missing key players.l
We seemed to have stalled lately and we need to start thinking positively again and get a win today.
COY!
May we have less of this very negative blogger, please?
Thanks.
Don’t totally disagree Michael, but the Swansea game was a real concern to me. We spent far too long in our own half, (Alllerdici style) and allowed them to dominate, If we continue with that mind set today, The Saints will win easily. Leroy has a point we need to inject a more aggressive attacking approach.
As a fan I don’t want to lose any game but we do have to take one or two risks now and then and throw people forward in numbers.
Michael. I’ve told you before. I will have less of you than my choices for the site. So please shut up
Leroy is also a long term personal friend who gives me his time freely and with no charge. You receive this servce free which is fine but in no way do you have the right to make these personal criticisms and I promise you it is the last time you will make them on here. I hope we get each other.