In my view these two are our best right wing combination. I thought they were excellent on Saturday and complement each other really well. It may be no surprise that we returned to our best on Saturday with these two where they started the season. Every time we attacked, Guly dropped off to receive the ball, and Richardson began the overlap, confident the ball would stick with Guly because of his strong technique. Morgan then drops in to cover the gap. For his part, Guly likes others running off him and has the skill to pick the right pass more often than not. But can it work away from home when Richardson gets forward less often?
I've never really understood why teams play so different away from home. I also reckon that against Hammers' style of play, we should be able to use our strengths and come out on top. Guly and Richardson have worked well together on the right all season and I don't see why we should change it now.
Agree. However from what I have seen and know ( Living in Essex with several friends who are West Ham fans) is that Big Sam has had the width of the pitch brought right in. Their pitch was always wide, but now isn't. If you are going tonight you will see how narrow and small the pitch is, with large patches of green either side.
Nigel mentioned the narrowness of Upton Park and that balls will get into the box faster. Says a lot about styles of play, doesn't it, when one team likes lots of room to play and the other doesn't. I know who I'd rather watch. COYR
I don't think it will be Richardson and Guly tonight. I expect chaplow to start instead of Guly. So we will play much more narrow ( probably the diamond) too.
Chaplow won't start in such a big game if he is lacking match fitness, I doubt he will be on the bench personally unless 100% fit
In the home game we went with Guly, an attack minded midfielder/attacker, and then 3 Centre-Mids, Hammond, Schneiderlin and Chaplow. This time I can see us taking Lallana as the attack minded player with Hammond, Cork, and Schneiderlin. Setting up in a diamond. Puncheon could play also.
Tonight we were always going to line up 4-3-1-2. Richardson----Fonte---Hooiveld----Fox -------Puncheon--Morg--Cork -------------------Lallana --------------Sharp---Lambert Bart, Martin, Guly, Connolly & Hammond on the bench.
Thoroughly agree with this. I'd be very surprised to see any changes after such a good performance on Saturday. However, Adkins may want to combat West Hams Punt 'n' run somehow
To be honest I really can't see NA starting another game this season with 3 of Hammond/Cork/Morgan/Chaplow in midfield and I would be really disappointed if he did. With Sharp and Lee on board there is no longer the need for Guly to start up front where I personally think he struggles so it should be a straight choice between him and Puncheon on the right, Lallana obviously on the left and then 2 from 4 of the CMs in the middle (with Cork and Morgan seemingly the preffered choice at the moment).
the only reason guly looked ok was down to the fact that frazer as running down the line doing all the work.
Big Sam threw a curve ball on TalkSport mentioning nthat they may play 4-3-3 and even said "without giving too much away" .... yeah, whatever. The three will be two extra in midfield.
Could Punch do the same job as Guly on the right? I wouldn't be surprised to see him play, but absolutly no objections to the Rich/Guly combo which Merrington was raving about. I suppose it depends on how much the Hammers actually use their midfield, and Adkins will just make changes I guess.
I've slated Guly for his efforts when playing upfront this season, so I was really happy when he put in a good performance on Saturday! He looks like he much prefers to play facing the goal and as you said, the combination down the right worked well because Guly was coming inside to get involved leaving 'the Marauder' Richardson plenty of room to get up and down the right flank, as he does so well!
whoever is in midfield, they have to shoot. we all know how green is with long shots, and we now have the best poacher in the league in sharp
