Angelo Ogbonna is fit and ready to take his place in the Irons team on Sunday
And Alex Song is also available as Slaven Bilic prepares his team in the absence of Dimitri Payet and Enner Valencia.
The Hammers – despite missing their chief play maker – look in good order otherwise and the £8 million Ogbonna is hoping to force his way back into the team for the big London derby.
And David Gold cleared up any lingering doubts that the former Juventus defender had been unable to settle to his new life in England.
He said: “He couldn’t be happier. He’s fitted into life here brilliantly and now he is through his injury problems we will see the best of him.
“Alex Song is also available and hoping to make the team and who know there could be a chance for Michail Antonio.
“Everything is very positive and looking good. We are in good order.”
Hi Dainon!
Many thanks for the information, that you tracked down, concerning the future of the Europa Cup.
Having clarified the situation, and in combination with the renewed sense of optimism (for the next 12 weeks, and then, from February on wards). While it would take a miracle to make the ‘top 4, I really sense (assuming no further major injury set-backs), that we could certainly finish in either the 5th, 6th, or 7th position that is required for Europa Cup qualification (hope that this is correct).
All of my life, i have been attracted by fast-attacking football, especially having grown up in the days of Johann Cryuff & Ajax Amsterdam; score sufficient goals (ideally 2-3 goals/game!), and you don’t need to be a Rhodes scholar, to realize that this will win games, even at the expense of the occasional goal being scored against us. I realise that in such a demanding league as the EPL, this may be an unattainable outcome, but I’m starting to really believe that our great Slaven Bilic, may just have this in mind. We have the quality players, and a reasonable squad depth, so who knows?
Thanks again for your help, and I hope you enjoy the Spurs match, which may turn out to be a very useful indicator for our future fortunes for the season!
Cheers,
Maxie
Hi max
There will be a Europa League next season as they have already announced the stadium which will host the final … 2016 St. Jakob-Park – Club: FC Basel | Opening: 2001 | Capacity: 38,512 seats
This seasons final is in Poland . Stadion Narodowy w Warszawie, its their new national stadium Opening: 2012 | Capacity: 58,145 seats
I plucked these facts from UEFA.com but Im not sure whats happening after that 🙂
Great news Hugh; thanks also for the additional info concerning Diafra Sakho.
I have been a huge supporter of Alex Song’s play-maker abilities, ever he has played for us.
I hope that Angelo Ogbonna will be fit enough to start the game; together with Cheikh Kouyate, there is a good chance that they could Harry Kane (quiet).
The only headache for Slav, is where does Alex Song play? Should he be teamed up with Kouyate as the ‘2’ in front of the back 4.
When you take into account the availability of Sakho (either as our lone striker in the 4-2-3-1 formation and/or Mauro Zarate in an alternative 4-4-2 ‘diamond set-up), and then add to that, the ‘combined potential’ of Moses (or Antonio)-Lanzini-Zarate as the attacking mid-fielders, then a sense of optimistic warmth starts to overtake me. Then, if we add to my remarks so far, the continual stream of long passes from Song, together with the ‘surging foray’s through the middle of the park from Kouyate, and offensive overlapping thrusts from Jenks & Creswell down the right and left wings, respectively, then, the sense of optimism, starts to raise that level of optimism even higher! This group are exciting to watch (both on an individual and team perspective). I may be totally ‘nuts’, but who said that the West Ham Way could not be resurrected!. Of greater relevance, this combination (plus or minus some alternative ‘impact’ options) makes me feel, that we can continue the fine goal-scoring record seen so far. Not only am I thinking of our next game against Spurs, but also continuing such form until February (when, fingers crossed, we can look forward to the anticipated return of Dimi Payet & Enner Valencia!!), then anything is possible (maybe 5-7th, or am I dreaming?).
A special question for Hugh (!), please. late last season, there was nedia ) talk ((via UEFA, presumably) that the Europa Cup League would not longer continue. Could you verify, if possible, what the future is for this valuable avenue (albeit 2nd tier) for European play- thanks! Looking forward to your reply.
COYI,
Maxie
Yes to both – he’s fine
Whats the news on sakho then ? is he starting… please say his fit and ready to start.