did Houghton say that? I missed that. He is right though. I think a win Tuesday night will put us on a really good run and mut some breathing space between us and a few teams. A lot will come down to ho Birmingham's fitness holds up. It could become a 3 horse race.
I know someone people say that you should only concentrate on your own results/fixtures, but I've never bought into that. So looking at the upcoming fixtures, it's interesting to note that in the next round of matches Birmingham play Hull, whilst in the following round Blackpool play West Ham (and Birmingham don't play). So when you throw in West Ham-Saints as well, that's a fair amount of points that are certain to be dropped by top 6 teams in the next 10 days.
and add to that, the number of times this league throws up bottom teams beating top teams, there are loads of points still to be dropped by all teams
It's odd him saying that. True of course but you normally hear managers saying lallana/lambert are pl standard not the best in the league.
I the game will be a physical one as West Ham are a big side and they will by pass the midfield a lot so for that reason i would start Hammond over Schneiderlin. Guly is terrible away from home most of the time so i wouldn't have him in the squad at all even though he did well today. Would be tempted to put Jaidi on the bench as if we are leading with 5 mins to go i think Jaidi would stand up against Carew and Cole in areal battles. My team would be: Davis Frazier Fonte Jos Fox Puncheon Hammond Cork Lallana Lambert Sharp Subs: Bart Jaidi Schneiderlin Lee De Ridder/Chaplow. Feel this will be a close game and i can't call this one
Will it decide the Championship..? No. It will contribute, but there are plenty of other matches which will have just as much a say in who goes on to win, get promoted, or who falls into the lottery of the playoff trap.
Got my ticket and cannot wait - STB Stand, Block 5 Row M. Need to decide on the optimum combo of cold weather gear though.
It won't decide the Championship but it will be a huge psychological boost to the winner. I genuinely believe that if there is a winner of this game, that they go on to win the Championship. I personally see it being a draw, which both teams will settle for after a probing first 60 mins. 0-0 or 1-1.
I remember being at the game in December 2002 when Beattie scored the winner for us in the 90 + 2 min I think. Brilliant evening and would love more of that on Tue.
West Ham will be just as wary of us as we are of them. It should be a good open game. Will this match determine the eventual winners of the championship or even who goes up? No, although it could have a bearing at the end, but that is going to be the same story of every game from now on. Both teams have around 15/16 more games to make up for any deficit created by this game.
Same team apart form Puncheon. I like Guly, and he had a good game by all accounts yesterday, but I feel that punch has a bit more grit for this game, and keeps the ball well. Can also swap wings of course with Lala to vary the play at times. Tough calll with Spider/Hammond, I'd go spider as I think that if we get on the front foot with the passing game, its going to frustrate the West Ham crowd as they will become insanely jealous of our style! Big game no doubt for Jose and Jos. If they handle the hooof, and allow us to play it out, then we could be in for a fantastic effort from Saints. I have a good feeling about this game, as I too think we ready. Hope I'm right, or I might have to cancel valentines day!
From what I've seen of West Ham this year, if we play as we are capable of playing, we will pump them.
