I’m really not impressed by the fact that tomorrow’s opponents Stoke beat Swansea on Monday because I believe the Welsh outfit have been relegation certs since the start of the season – they are a poor side.
And having had a look at the Potters I expect Slaven Bilic to record his 20th League win of his time in charge at the Hammers tomorrow which would give him a 40 per cent win rate from his 49 games.
Our lack of a proper striker is clearly affecting things and although Michail Antonio did a fine job up there he’s not the full answer and we need a “proper” striker up front quickly.
Whilst on the subject I have to question why the manager decided to bring on Zaza – this bloke is not at the races and although it has become a hobby horse of mine – I have to say: “Please Slaven – no more of that!”
City have strikers in Bony and Arnautovic who aren’t going to get in behind our defence. They will try to dribble their way through and that will allow the Hammers to keep a nice high line.
Dimi Payet wasn’t at his best last week but hopefully that will change this because a lot depends on him and so long as we can keep their man in form quiet – Joe Allen – I see us winning this one.
We have the better players and are a better team than them and we showed that against Chelsea and now we need to recapture that sort of form.
After the wins over Palace, Sunderland and Chelsea it is really important that we bounce back from the Everton experience with a decent win.
I think we’ll get it and then after the international break we should have a front line striker back which will make a huge difference.
I’m taking the Irons 2-0!
COYI
Arnautovic definitely won’t get behind Leroy, he is suspended for this one, Bony could be an issue and with Reid not fit/available the big question is do we switch to 4 at the back with Ogbonna and Collins. I will say that if Noble plays we bring Joe Allen into the game, we need someone to break up the attacks and deny Allen space, I said before we should have signed him from Liverpool, he is what we are still missing the Welsh Pirlo not as good as the Italian one but still more than good enough for us, he plays like Song does except he is probably more consistent. I would like to see Fernandes in central midfield to see what he can offer us in his natural position, maybe he can be the Swiss Pirlo but whatever he is, hopefully he will be an improvement on Noble, the other option is to push Kouyate up and tell him to cut everything out to Allen that’s something he is good at, when left to his own devices this season he has been akin to an out of control Carlton Palmer.
Leroy’s getting the hang of this punditry lark – although Shaquiri’s the one who worries me, if he’s in the mood he’s a class player!
I just hope we never see Zaza stinking up the place again – it’s getting to be a farce, the guy is way out of his depth, the sooner he’s out of the Club the better!