It will probably be something close to their best XI vs a relative mix of a line up from us. I don't genuinely believe we will win the league - not yet anyway - and we've come far enough in this competition to think about winning it now, as it'll be over when we resume in the Europa.
Given the situation for both clubs West ham 8th and in with a shout of europe. (they play man utd next then arsenal) They also topped the europa league group so have no last 32. There's 11 points difference between the clubs in the league. theres absolutely no way they should play any sort of weakened team this midweek. Europe is done, they've no real ambitions to beat utd or arsenal really so a cup run should be moyes aim and looking at who is left in the comp this is their toughest game. The one this i will say is this. You cannot get tickets for this game unless you are a member hand attend so it'll be a much better crowd than that tame league OOT crowd. Moyes will be desperate to break his anfield jinx and at least he will have the tactical brain to press endo. (unlike utd)
Important to win trophies as often as possible, even if it isn't the big boys. Giving the new lads a taste of success early will only bode well - go strong and try and win the thing.
we have nothing to come in here folks. not at this level Kelleher (he's on some promise for this comp only) Trent Gomez VVD Tsimikas (protect konate and the kids are not up to this) Elliott Endo Jone (theres only szobo to come in folks) Salah gakpo diaz (drop nunez for this) 5 changes, 1 enforced by rests on medical gorunds, 1 for a deal to keep player, 1 for injury, 2 for players being in **** form. Thats more than enough. We literally don't have anyone to come in for this level of opponent Our injury list: Robertson Matip Macallister (no news but he might be back or might not) Gravenberch Thaigo (who cares) Bajceitc (again who cares) Jota - massive miss imo a boxing day type timing. theres no way we can expose bradley, chambers, quansah, boak, or gordon to this sort of opponent with zero midfield. It'll be hard enough to not concede with that set up as it stands.
What’s the story with Jota? We could do with him back quickly….its strange watching our forward line atm, too many touches and not incisive at all. It’s like they don’t know each other. I agree with MITO that Nunez should be dropped for this game in favour of Gapko….there be zero space for him to run into anyway.
The thing that worries me about Gakpo and Nunez is that, if both are at their worst, they seem to create the opposite problem to each other Gakpo can go completely missing in games and leave us without any penetration Nunez is decidedly not anonymous, but lacks the intelligence needed to lead the line properly. It is perhaps harsh to compare them both to prime Firmino, but performances like yesterday don't help.
I'll be working from home Wednesday. If I can, I'll have it on while I work. I won't be paying full attention to it though because I'll be working.
No. But my job is more important what I do rather than when I do it. It I spend hours goofing off, I have to work late making up for it. What I'm doing during business hours is less important than what I produce as long as I'm getting stuff done, they don't care if I'm not doing what I'm supposed to in the afternoon or morning, as long as I do it sometime.
I'm not saying we'll play him, but Quansah is ready imo. He's the only one that is. The others need putting into an experienced team one at a time, because mob-handed they're not good enough.
Ben Doak is out long term after picking up an injury playing for the U21's. Bad knee injury apparently. Gravernbach is hopefully fit for West Ham. Like to see Nunez come off the bench for Diaz in this game.
