Topic: West Ham United vs Liverpool FC. The Preview. Sun 9th Dec (Away)

[Circa1892]

flying back this afternoon apparently - not good preparation at all

It isn't ideal, but then it's worth remembering that some players didn't even travel to Italy, and those who did have a match under their belt anyway.

[lucas65]

I'd like to see Morgan given a chance or at least on the bench. We need someone with a finishing instinct and a bit of bottle and with luis out, why not. He needs a chance to play with better quality players and service and could surprise a few.

[VAred]

Also if Sahin is ok I think he should have a start here seeing how a lot of the midfield played in Italy.  Maybe Sahin, Allen, and Lucas in the midfield with Stevie pushed forward?

[Snusmumriken]

Was thinking that this game could be quite important for us. If we'd manage to win (and score) without Suarez in the team, perhaps that would raise the confidence of the rest of the team. Too many times when we're around the box we're searching for the Suarez pass. Which alot of the times is the right thing to do of course, but sometimes it's just way to obvious. So perhaps a win without Suarez on the field could make us more versatile when going forward in the future.

Obviously it could go the other way around if we lose 2-0 

[Earl of Dingleberry]

After being on the bench in Italy, the lemon fresh Joe Cole should start against West Ham.

[THE KING LUIS VII.]

Also if Sahin is ok I think he should have a start here seeing how a lot of the midfield played in Italy.  Maybe Sahin, Allen, and Lucas in the midfield with Stevie pushed forward?

I think its a good idea. If I was BR I would play these 3 midfielders play together regular. Sahin is better for his system than SG.

[kkjellquist]

                                  Reina

Johnson           Skrtel           Agger       Downing

                         Lucas   
                                     Allen
Sterling                                               Enrique
                      Shelvey   Gerrard


Suspect it will be some combination of these players.  BR is not afraid to take chances and playing without a striker is taking a chance....a chance he's been forced to take.  I would love to see a rested Gerrard play up front and score.  Shelvey was probably being rested for the league last night, but that didn't work out.  Maybe if Sahin wears a mask he gets a league start.  And finally, maybe without Suarez that front 4/5 will all be trying to pick up the slack and crash the box for goals.

I predict a 1-0 w/ a PK finally for us....Gerrard to take and score. 

[Gnurglan]

For me West Ham is one of those teams that always play in the top division and always in the region middle to bottom half. Never really one of sides to battle for European places. Never one to create headlines. It's in the back of my mind and I expect us to win this one.

Suarez
Downing Gerrard Sterling
Lucas Allen
Enrique Agger Skrtel Johnson
Reina

is what I expect.

[Get]

For me West Ham is one of those teams that always play in the top division and always in the region middle to bottom half. Never really one of sides to battle for European places. Never one to create headlines. It's in the back of my mind and I expect us to win this one.

Suarez
Downing Gerrard Sterling
Lucas Allen
Enrique Agger Skrtel Johnson
Reina

is what I expect.

Ermm.. no no Suspended

[steveeastend]

For me West Ham is one of those teams that always play in the top division and always in the region middle to bottom half. Never really one of sides to battle for European places. Never one to create headlines. It's in the back of my mind and I expect us to win this one.

Suarez
Downing Gerrard Sterling
Lucas Allen
Enrique Agger Skrtel Johnson
Reina

is what I expect.

Suarez is suspended.

It will be interesting to see how Rodgers will make up for it, absolutely no idea who could step in, maybe Sterling.

Sterling
Assaidi Gerrard Cole
Lucas Allen
Enrique Agger Skrtel Johnson
Reina

[Tomo!]

Gerrard false 9 for me, he's the best finisher and most natural goal scorer available.

[LucasLeiva]

Reina
Johnson Agger Skrtel Enrique
               Lucas
      Allen     
                   Gerrard

Sterling   Shelvey   Assaidi/ Suso/ Downing


I think Jonjo will get the nod to play striker as he did well in the Europa league game there, if not I would like to see Morgan or Pacheco have a go at it but can't see it happening as they're not even trusted in the Europa league games. Not sure who will line up on the wing, I think it will be Downing but I really hope it's one of the other two I put there, they just offer so much more in terms of effort and ability.

[Gnurglan]

Ermm.. no no Suspended

Ooops! Don't know how I forgot that one. Guess I'm so used to writing his name down first.

OK then, put Shelvey up front.

[steveeastend]

Gerrard false 9 for me, he's the best finisher and most natural goal scorer available.

He is but he cannot play as a false 9 anymore, no way. I think it will be Sterling in this position but honestly I have absolutely no idea how Rodgers gonna manage this, it seems like a big compromise from whatever angle you wanna look at it.

I think Shelvey was supposed to step in but he played almost 90 minutes against Udine.

[East of Anfield]

Do you guys think Samed Yesil should get his 1st team call up?

[Tomo!]

He is but he cannot play as a false 9 anymore, no way. I think it will be Sterling in this position but honestly I have absolutely no idea how Rodgers gonna manage this, it seems like a big compromise from whatever angle you wanna look at it.

I think Shelvey was supposed to step in but he played almost 90 minutes against Udine.

I'd maybe start Gerrard there and then drop him back into midfield and stick Shelvey there when he starts to fade in the second half.

After watching him do both his and Scott Parkers job at the Euros I reckon he's still got a good 60 minutes of putting himself about in the tank before he's fucked.

[Zlen]

If we win this it'll etch a perma-smile on my face for a week.
We can do this, let's be smart, choke them and hit them with a sneaky little sucker punch.
Our midfield must boss, considering Lucas is there I have no doubts it'll happen.

Very excited for this game.

[LucasLeiva]

There are about 6 options to play up front: Pacheco, Morgan, Yessil - All strikers by nature, won't get the chance because they've hardly had a chance in cup games so the league is out of the question.
Shelvey - Played against Young Boys up front, scored a goal and think he set the other one up (not too sure), would play this role well against West Ham I think
Gerrard - our best finisher out of the regular starting 11 and subs, might have lost a bit of pace but I'd trust him over anyone else in a 1on1 situation.
Sterling - think he should stay on the wing where he can get at players, don't think he would be good in the middle where his pace won't have as much of an effect.

I would choose to play Morgan there but it's a massive responsibility and may put too much pressure on the lad, remember what happened to N'Gog when Torres got injured. Shelvey is the next best option in my opinion.

[Lenin.]

Enrique would be my choice as CF.

[Dr. Beaker]

Enrique would be my choice as CF.

Nah. Hot-shot Henderson surely.

[Advil]

A quick question. Was watching the last few minutes of our match last season at Upton Park which we lost 3-1.

Who was playing left back, number 22.

[Harinder]

A quick question. Was watching the last few minutes of our match last season at Upton Park which we lost 3-1.

Who was playing left back, number 22.

Wilson. Season before last mind you.

[Malaysian Kopite]

A quick question. Was watching the last few minutes of our match last season at Upton Park which we lost 3-1.

Who was playing left back, number 22.

Danny Wilson.

[Advil]

Wilson. Season before last mind you.

Thanks both. I completly forgot about him. Where is he now?

[welshred1976]

Shit side, shit football and their managers got a fucking massive head.

[Advil]

We should not play with 1 striker. We do not have anyone who can hold play the lone striker role.

We should play Sterling with Assaidi/Yesil or Shelvey so they will be able to support each other.

[FlashingBlade]

As a kid it wa common to play 'Goaly on the spot'......so I guess its 'Striker on the spot!'

[exiledintheUSA]

Where is he now?

Bristol City. (On loan).

[Advil]

Bristol City. (On loan).

A wrong career move for him. From playing in the champion league to Bristol City.

[B0151?]

A wrong career move for him. From playing in the champion league to Bristol City.

No, from playing for our U21s to Bristol City! Needed to play football. He only went a month or so ago, hasn't progressed as we'd have liked.

[Golyo]

We will nick it in the last 15 mins.
Is there anything that is less likely?

[LincsRedbob]

PLEASE can people stop mentioning "False number 9" i hate it....thanks

[decky]

We will nick it in the last 15 mins.
Is there anything that is less likely?

winning 5-0 maybe?

[Fromola]

No, from playing for our U21s to Bristol City! Needed to play football. He only went a month or so ago, hasn't progressed as we'd have liked.

He hasn't had a minute there yet.

[Hunter Thompson]

Will West Ham also be playing their false 9 Carlton Cole?

[benn25]

it wouldnt suprise me if Morgan gets a call up. He's been firing on all cylinders and scored again today. Maybe Morgan or Jonjo upfront

               Rei
     GJ    Sk   Ag   Enq

           Luc/All

Str    Sah   Ger    Ass

         Mor/Shv

Gerrard further forward.

[1892tillforever]

Hammers will be buzzing after beating Chelsea. It looked like they were losing their way after a good start to the season. Lucas will of course be critical and I would like to see Gerrard playing a more forward role. I'd imagine the common consensus is that keeping it tight, nicking one and holding on to possession to see it out for a sneaky 1-0 is clearly our most obvious route to victory. Been a year since back to back wins in the league, here's hoping we put an end to that stat.

[ScouserBrad21]

PLEASE can people stop mentioning "False number 9" i hate it....thanks

True number 9,..

[sat]

With SG, Lucas and Dagger rested I am expecting them all to play so think it might be:
                  Reina
Johnno   Srktel  Dagger  Enrique
             Lucas Allen
Sterling   SG   Shelvey  Downing.

A lot of interplay between the top 4.

Will be really tight and WHU will be buzzing after their win against Chelsea.
Hoping for a 1-0 or 2-1 to us. Will be a nice bithday pressie for myself and Sterling...

[lfcmaster]

i also think sterling will be the lone striker

wisdom at right back johno left back and enrique left wing