Match Day Thread Team for West Ham

West Ham are notoriously inconsistent. That's the best hope we've got of getting anything from this one, but if we can find the net away from home, anything can happen particularly against this lot. We couldn't do it at Everton nor at Spurs and it cost us. Both games ran out as 1-0 losses but West Ham aren't in the same class as those two.

A point is not beyond us and all 3 not out of the question - but we've just got to put away the chances we will get. Need Pato to put himself about again and others get onto the second ball - no point having him up there working his socks off without support just because it's an "away game".

Lot of talk Warnock will go with the same side that started against Wolves with 3 CB's to shut down the width of the penalty area - massive game for Manga/Morrison/Bamba if Warnock does go that way again. That then asks a lot of our wide men defensively. Not sure Camarasa is best used in that role but there's no way we can leave him out of the side in favour of someone like Pelts who offers very little going forward. After his performance and goal against Wolves, there is no way Warnock will leave Hoilett out on the left, so where does that leave Bennett?

Control of the midfield will be key to pushing on up front unless we adopt route one again. Whatever, it has to be Gunnar and Arter as nailed on options, but assuming he sticks with the wingbacks as against Wolves, the rest of the mix around Patterson is up for grabs. Unless he goes for another midfielder - Ralls is the obvious one, but he didn't impress me against Wolves - the other option could be any 2 from Murphy, Reid, Kadeem, Mendez or even Ward.

Maybe that's a bit radical for an away game but it should give West Ham some worries at the back - if we allow them to play out, they will.

 

Etheridge Manga Morrison Bamba Bennett Ralls Gunner Camara Arter Murphy Patterson.

That would be my 11 for this one.

 

I could go with that as well if Warnock drops his "3 at the back" system for this one.

Looks like an old fashioned 4-4-2 a la Dave Jones.

 

It definately wouldnt be a Dave Jones 442.

Far more flexible.

Im talking packing the middle of the park with 3 central midfielders plus Ralls coming inside to help. Bennett provides width on the left and drives forward with again Ralls providing cover when needed.

Murphy providing width on the right.

Id be looking more 4411 changing to 451.

Id be looking at making it a right war in the middle of the pitch.

 

Still looks like a 4-4-2 - far too technical for me.......

I must say I do rate Bennett going forward on the left and much prefer him to Cunningham on that side.

If we had a genuine forward thinking right wingback I'd definitely stick to 3 CB's. Manga/Morrison/Bamba - you wont find a better combo at any club outside the top 6.

 

Usual back 5, gunner, arter and camarasa in the middle, Patterson up front with Murphy and NML out wide. Gives us plenty of options off the bench.

 

So you think Warnock will drop Hoilett then?

 

If we went with remotes system which looks ok then definitely Hoillet before NML for me. Kadeem as well.

 

No point playing defensively team as will have no chance of keeping a clean sheet against the rampant WH attack so a more balanced selection. 4-4-2.

Go for broke try to play the ball in the other half, and if get anything a real bonus leading up to the vital home game this Saturday.

Hoilett goal doesn’t save him and Ralls is a passenger.

Etheridge
Manga Bamba Morrison Bennett (if fit)
Murphy Camarassa Arter Harris
Reid Paterson.

 

That's one hell of an attacking format Nin - doubt Warnock will be anything like as radical as that. Not saying you're not right mind.

 

I think bamba Morrison arter gunner ralls manga are bulletproof as far as warnock goes. Camarasa probably as well.

Etheridge will obviously be in goal.

Its the rest of the side to work out.

 

I just don’t get why Ralls is an automatic pick.
I left Gunner out as it’s 3 games in 8 days and just feel he’ll be wasted v WHU.

 

I didn't say HE would, just that I would.

 

Get the feeling that we should not get a dickie bird out of this 0-1 or 0-2 with Ronnie Fugall getting one for us!

West Ham defenders Aaron Cresswell and Fabian Balbuena are fitness doubts to face Cardiff.

Ryan Fredericks, Manuel Lanzini, Winston Reid, Carlos Sanchez and Andriy Yarmolenko remain out. Big John Bond back on the bench after a long layoff!

Nathaniel Mendez-Laing could make his first Cardiff appearance since late August after overcoming a knee injury.

Jazz Richards has been ruled out, while Greg Cunningham, Joe Bennett and Kenneth Zohore are not expected to be rushed into action.

• Warnock looks to recruit from Europe

@Mark_Scott_: Discounting their heavy defeat by Manchester City, West Ham have had a good last month or so, with a better barometer of their current form coming in the shape of their comfortable recent victories over fellow bottom-half sides.

On paper their forthcoming fixtures provide a decent opportunity for them to climb the table, as their next three games are all against teams currently below them.

However, Cardiff have picked up of late and the fact they've come from behind in all of their three wins this season has given Neil Warnock extra cause for cheer. Looking at the Bluebirds' haul of goals and points on the road though may dampen his mood just a little.

West Ham United manager Manuel Pellegrini: "To win three more points is what we must do here at home. One of the most important mistakes you can do is to think that because a team is in a bad position in the table it will be an easy game.

"The best games we played here were against Chelsea and Manchester United. I hope we are conscious tomorrow about that. I hope we give maximum of our pace and quality to have three points more and after that to think of the next rival."

Cardiff City manager Neil Warnock: "We've always hung in and got results. I can't praise the lads enough. They're such a good group. We know we're limited but when the crowd get going, it drives you on.

"We're struggling a bit injury-wise. Another couple of lads had knocks. I was going to change it and rest players but I don't think I can now. I'll have to ask the lads to perform three times in a week."

Cardiff's win over Wolves on Friday night was a brilliant result for them, but they have been struggling on the road, taking only one point from six matches.

Prediction: 2-0

Lawro's full predictions v The 1975 bassist Ross MacDonald

Head-to-head

• West Ham are on a six-match winning streak against Cardiff, keeping clean sheets in five of them.
• Cardiff's only victory in their past 18 competitive fixtures at West Ham came on the opening weekend of the 2011-12 Championship season (D5, L12).
• The Hammers are unbeaten in all nine top-flight home meetings, winning six and drawing three.

West Ham United

• West Ham could win consecutive Premier League fixtures for the first time since January 2017.
• The Hammers' only league defeat in five games came against reigning champions Manchester City.
• They have conceded 52 Premier League goals in 2018, a joint-league high with Southampton.
• Andy Carroll could make his 200th Premier League appearance. He hasn't played since May but was an unused substitute on Saturday.

Cardiff City

• Cardiff have accrued three wins and nine points from their past six league games, compared to no victories and two points from their first eight fixtures of the season.
• Their total of two away league goals is the lowest in the top four English divisions.
• Cardiff and Fulham have the Premier League's joint worst away record, earning a solitary point apiece.
• The Bluebirds have picked up nine of their 11 points this season from trailing positions, second only to Arsenal. They are the only two sides yet to lead a Premier League game at half time this season.

We bollocks three, are coming for thee!

 

In view of the comments so far guys, I've made this the Match Day Thread.

 

I suppose it's a question of whether we accept the fact that we're never going to outplay them across the park. Then you've really only got two options.

A high press to force it and trust your guys behind you, or try to soak up their quality and then hit them on the break.

The team and formation will dictate that from the off and then it's a matter of having the ability to change it if it goes wrong.

 

As we have most of our points coming from a goal down, I think we should gift them a goal in the first 5 mins then crack on from there.

 

It’s going to be a tough one. Another early morning game for me (if I wake up) so I’m hoping for a pressing game, not a park the bus game.

 

Having seen their left winger, Anderson, on MotD, he will take some looking after.

I'm not sure how a back three with Camarasa in support will handle him. In terms of containment we may need a back 4. Is Manga the right man or is a specialist RB, Peltier, needed?

 

4-5-1 looks like. Bennett returns!