If there is one team in the country you would fancy to get anything from Manchester City at the moment it is West Ham United.
Slaven Bilic has developed a counter attacking system which can work at home – as we saw last night – and away, as demonstrated so magnificently against Arsenal and Liverpool.
The point is though that it’s not merely a counter attacking system but one that involves players who carry a serious threat and who can make it count even against a team like City.
I would opt for the power players up there – guys who will sit off and break hard and fast. Pellegrini’s outfit will come onto them but when we break we really break. It could be a game for Michail Antonio whose entire game is based on strength and fast running.
The Hammers are quite capable in their present mood, under this system of getting something up there and with City facing a European match this week all things are possible.
We warmed t the job against Newcastle and Dimitri Payet was astonishing. He’s a totally class act and can make any team suffer. However, don’t forget Mark Noble’s role in the first goal, his powerful run set up that great goal.
But this is a team of player who do their bit all over the field and even the main playmaker was getting back nd producing big challenges when Newcastle – who by the way are a poor side – were on the ball.
Victor Moses did really well but I might have him coming off the bench at the weekend with Antonio getting a start on the basis of his strength and power.
One big point I must make about the way we are playing is the role Diafra Sakho is given. This lad is brilliant at working the channels and pulling players out of position this creating space for the creators.
He’s key to the system and you won’t get the same from Andy Carroll who is far more direct.
Finally a word for Darren Randolph who has been excellent over three games, making important saves and looking as safe as houses.
Adrian will be feeling the pressure as will every player in the squad in this new West Ham.
COYI
Where is this going to leave Song once he’s fit?
That’s the good part about it!
Adrian
Tommo. Collins. Reid. Cresswell
Kouyate. Obiang
Noble. Payet. The bard
Sakho
Moses
Jenks
Valentino
Oxford
Randolph
Jelovitch
Can’t believe anyone would drop Sakho,he is the heart beat up front that allowed Moses and Payet so much room,and Lanzini did no wrong he never gave away the ball never messed up 5 yard passes,
Tomkins should start at right back with either Obe or Ginge in the center Oxford needs to no on the bench and Obiang needs to start,before we become to gunho
Sakho ,Payet,Lanzini to start like Liverpool its Moses or Noble for me to start,
Attack against energy,
I would start Noble but if after 20 mins if his ball distribution is no better change him
Only change I’d make is Antonio in for Lanzini. If Ogbonna can’t make it I might keep Tomkins as right back & put Collins in the centre.
Agree with Antonio but I would tempted to play Moses on the other wing. Carroll is more direct but also pulls players out of position. If they are drawn to Carroll in the middle it would open up the channels and wings for the likes of Antonio and Moses. So I would maybe go with Antonio on the left Moses on the right Carroll in the number nine role with Payet in behind him in the hole or number ten role.
Agree completely with you Leroy, let Antonio off the leash in this one and yes Sakho ran tirelessly, we can still improve further at the weekend other than Jenko’s bullet cross we didn’t really cross any in from the byline, the defence is a work in progress, if Ogbonna isn’t fit I suspect Jenkinson will start and city might look to exploit that. The understanding between Cresswell and Ogbonna isn’t completely there yet and Jaanmat or however you spell his name found gaps between those two too easilly yesterday so that is another area that can be improved and no doubt will over the coming months, when they are fully onboard with Bilic’s system(s) who knows where we could end up COYI !
We will win and Leroy is spot on,we need every team to pay us respect that way the style of play Slav is using will destroy them
We just need to concentrate more stop giving the ball away cheaply,
Newcastle tried to man Mark Payet last night and he was to good for them,I don’t think City have a player capable of doing that either,
It’s matching them goal for goal and at the moment with Aguero out we have the edge,
Sakho will score it’s just when the chances come his way,
I believe we can only give games away our selves by making silly mistakes
Not sure whether a result is feasible, as invariably when a team is winning every game, as City are right now, the luck always seems to be with them (reference their game at Crystal Palace). However, even if we don’t come away with anything, if we’ve gone toe to toe with them, competed, forced them to take their chances and frightened the merry saviour out of them, then that can be almost as beneficial as points, because it’ll say to everyone else “we need to watch out for West Ham”.
Totally agree with all that Leroy, especially about Sakho who was brilliant as the lone striker. Only one goal ( which is probably bugging him as a striker ) but what superb performances as target man this season. When you speak about tweaking the team for the next game, it shows how far we’ve come already that we can think like that because of our very strong squad. Man city have won every point and let in zero goals so far, but if we can sneak one early on with a counter attack, it could surprise and shake them a little.
The stats confirm what you say about us counter attacking at home, and to do that with such style means the fans love it.
I’m really glad Adrian has some competition now. Although Randolph hasn’t had a lot to do in the last two games he’s made the important stops when he’s needed to and the defence look very comfortable with him too. Adrian is prone to making some silly errors and the occasional cocky edge of area move that has got us in to trouble. Hopefully Randolph’s performances will make him up his game even more.
It’s certainly good to know we do, in fact, have a decent second stopper.