I have got this sneaky suspicion we are going to win tomorrow. I feel that expectancy again that spring in my step that bounce that swagger. Hoofball v Slick passing football. Ugly v Beautiful. Sam v Nige Bubbles v The March How are we feeling this morning fellow saints ahead of tomorrow's huge huge clash at Upton Park?
Well obviously West Ham just played hoofball all game at St Marys. At the end they were hitting hoofball to 5 or 6 playing as strikers with Almunia lol. I don't expect them to play the same way at all at home. The difference was we were on a great win streak at home and Big Sam was playing for a draw. At home they will want to win. This will be a much tougher game, West Ham will not just invite pressure like they did in the 1-0. I'd be happy with a draw but I'd like to see us go there and try to win.
I'd say this may help. At times we struggle to break teams down. If the game is more open it could play into our hands with creative players like Lallana and Do Prado/Puncheon picking up the ball on the counter with Lambert and Sharp up top.
Anyone doing the match thread? Do you think Nigel with try any different tactics in this game? I think we should try and play them on the counter sit back and soak it a bit and then catch them on the break with our quick play from out the back.
Ambivalent. However, I think the team that will win is the one that wants it most.. Hopefully, Saints are in a greedy enough mood. If they are, they'll win. At this moment, I think it'll be a draw.
I personally have this down as a loss. The simple fact is if West Ham turn up we won't win, their team is better than everyone elses in this division and if they are on form they'll win. There is of course the possibility that they may not be at 100% in which case we will have a chance but if I had to predict it I would say 2-0 to West Ham.
If we play as we did earlier in the season we will win. I'm convinced that when firing on all cylinders we have the better team, manager and squad!
If you're judging it on individual players, its undeniable that West Ham's squad is stronger than ours. Only a handful of our players have ever played above Championship level but their squad is packed with Premiership quality players and internationals. Having said that, I'm struggling to remember a Saints team with a better togetherness. Zambia's win last night was a classic example of team spirit triumphing over ability. West Ham certainly have quality, but in Morrison, Bentley, Nolan, Faubert etc. they have their fair share of cocky bellends
I'm nervous TBH. They're at home, they'll be more rested than us but you can never tell which WHU team will turn up. And on our day, we can beat anyone. I just hope the confidence continues from Saturday and we give 100%. Can't ask for much more. I'll take a draw. We could also do with a couple of results going our way tomorrow, Birmingham v Hull (draw), Cardiff v Posh (Posh win), Donny Rovers v Blackpool (Donny win). We could also do with Millwall & Derby beating Brighton & Reading too.......... Can't see it though. COYR!!
Our very own Nigel once said that "Hard work beats talent if talent doesn't work hard". If WHU just expect to turn up and get the three points, they'll be very much mistaken. Let's hope they have an off-day!
Thing is I don't think we need a dogged display to win. We can win this playing neat flowing football and pass them off the park however having said that I think West Ham will try and bully us off it and make it a physical game.
West Ham aren't that sort of team. They are a physical hard fighting side, they'd never show up against anyone expecting to win because they take pride in their commitment level rather than beautiful football
If Saints win it will prove we are the better side. If West Ham win they are obviously lucky and it doesn't mean anything
Having recovered from my earlier ambivalent state I have once more adopted the arrogant approach of Saints utter superiority, and so find the above statement to be right on the money. No whistling need either.
