Manuel Pellegrini needs to make one vital move at the back before deciding how he is gonna attack Spurs on Saturday afternoon.
He needs to return Angelo Ogbonna to his rightful place alongside Issa Diop and not simply because Fabian Balbuena hasn’t shown himself good enough since his return to the team.
But because in so doing we have seen a decline in Issa Diop’s game – the two things may not be unconnected. Given the Roberto scenario -pray God he has a blinder and gains some confidence – we need our best central defenders on duty.
Both the stats and a simple reading of their time together at the back, demonstrates that Oggy and Issa – despite sounding like comedy double act – are the guys for the job.
I have mentioned several times that Pelle’s reasoning for playing Balbuena – “he deserved the opportunity” – is unacceptable. Probably nearer the truth is managers like to play their own signings but sadly The General has been looking more like a corporal.
Oggy is a must for me.
The big question of course – should Noble not be fit – is who sits alongside Declan and we seem to have the choice of Wilshere, Sanchez or Zaba and that really is scary.
It would also demonstrate again the extreme folly of not buying the defensive midfielder for whom so many of us have been screaming out.
Given the manager’s fondness for tinkering, selecting a team for the match is extremely tricky but for now I’m gonna hope to God – unlikely though the reports suggest – that Noble is fit.
If so this is the team I think he will go with: Roberto; Fredericks, Diop, Ogbonna, Cresswell; Noble/ Zabaleta, Rice; Snodgrass, Anderson, Haller:
Bench: Martin, Masuaku, Balbuena, Noble or Zaba, Antonio Fornals, Yarmolenko
From your predicted line up,are we that good a team, that we can play 10 men against Spurs!
I really hope he plays 11 and not 10 players Hugh 😅
Only 10 players against spurs in your starting line up, you must be confident.
Stick Antonio in as well that way you have 11 players !!
Play better with 10 men
only starting with 10?
Agreed!
However, Saturday’s outcome will depend upon which coach has “lost the dressing room” the LEAST.
Unfortunately, the fact we are at ‘home’ has long since proven to be irrelevant as there is next to no connection between this coach, set of players and those who pay their wages.
Oops!
It is some time since PL fans actually paid players’ wages………
I suspect we merely pay the interest on loans DS makes to the club………..
I take some consolation in the fact that the spuds are unlikely to be peppering our box with crosses.
Calamity Jane,
Fredericks, Diop. Ogbonna. Masuaku,
Rice, Noble
Fornals,
Anderson, Haller, Holland
And pray that everyone comes to the party and gives 100%.
I believe there have been two pivotal events so far this year, the first being Fabianski’s injury and the second the inexplicable changing of Ogbonna and Fredericks for Balbuena and Zabaletta for the Sheffield United game – the change was baffling to us Punters but it must have been equally as baffling to the Team and would put doubts in their mind.
The best explanation I’ve heard was that he wanted Spanish speakers in to help Roberto who was struggling to communicate with his Defence – ‘struggling’ is a mild word for it – whatever it didn’t work. Roberto has been a massive mistake and Pellegrini has got himself into a hole he’s struggling to get out of.
Getting back to your Team, I’d be surprised if Mark Noble plays – it must be one of the few times when the International break has been welcomed – and the best solution I feel will be to play Zabaletta alongside Declan Rice who badly needs support!
No Yarmolenko?
5 3 2.
Balbuena diop ogbonna
Fredricks masuaku
Rice
Snodgrass Anderson
Yarmolenko haller
Crazy I know
5 3 2
Balbuena diop ogbonna
Fredricks masuaku
Rice
Snodgrass Anderson
Yarmolenko haller
Crazy I know
I like the look of Che’s 5-3-2 – but unfortunately its not going to happen – the post that really struck a chord was Michael Miller (0n another thread) saying that Pelle reminds him of SLaven during his last days – a forlorn lost figure on the touchline with seemingly no ideas left
In many ways Saturday is a crunch match – the bookies seem to feel that if we win Pochetttino will be fired – I think that he will be able to motivate Spurs – I wish I was equally confident that Pelle will be able to motivate us
Not much of a choice, unfortunately, between Ogbonna & Balbuena. West Ham have nearly always had a poor defense & these two do nothing to improve that. If I had to choose, I would take Ogbonna – & hope that he doesn’t go to sleep !