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

[sat]

i also think sterling will be the lone striker

wisdom at right back johno left back and enrique left wing

Yes that makes sense and therefore no Downing..

[Passmaster Molby]

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

How about "faux neuf" as an alternative?

[Bird Bird Bird The Bird Is The Word]

Reina; Johnson, Skrtel, Agger, Enrique; Allen, Lucas, Gerrard; Sterling, Shelvey, Suso

I expect something close to that but wouldn't be surprised to see Enrique with Widsom and Johnson at full backs at the expense of Suso. Any argument for Henderson starting instead of Allen? Allen has looked tired recently and Henderson's goal would've given him a massive confidence boost.

[fowlermagic]

Just a tad worried on who might finish any good possession we have as after the other night some of the lads would still miss the hole if they tripped, fell straight down while directly above said hole. Im sure they will be geed up to give us a game considering the talent of their manager. Our starting 11 usually picks itself most days as we select from the same core of players Brendan trusts but for a change why not surprise some of the lads


.................Reina
Johnson...SkrAgger........Enrique
............Lucas
......Allen Henderson
Sterling.....SG.....Shelvey

First time ever we have never had a striker to pick from?

[kkjellquist]

Let's just hope for this one game the Ewing Theory comes into effect;

http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=The%20Ewing%20Theory

Basically, an underachieving team that is overly reliant upon its' star surprisingly plays better when that star is missing for whatever reason. 

[TepidT2O]

How about "faux neuf" as an alternative?

Is that in the sense of pont neuf or soixante neuf?

[the_red_pill]

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 Ngog when Torres got injured. Shelvey is the next best option in my opinion.

Thing is, those strikers need to be interspersed with players whom they are familiar with- Pacheco/Adorjan + Ngoo/Morgan + Robinson. I think the occasion and the "pressure" gets to them, but if they're a few lads(2 or 3 maybe) playing together in the 1st team and "sharing" the experience, they'll settle in quickly. Problem is- this would be preferable at home against the likes of QPR and not really an away game. Still - I'd have no issues throwing those 3 in there against Westham- and keeping appropriate subs on the bench.

[Sir Psycho Sexy]

                      Reina

Johnson     Skrtl      Agger      Enrique


                      Lucas


            Gerrard          Henderson

Sterling         Shelvey              Assaidi

After reading Spyin' Kop I think it would be good to see Assidi start and to give their RB a gard time with Sterling doing the same on the right. Obviously this means Enrique drops to LB but I would rather that than playing Downing.

Henderson is playing well and should have a good bit of confidence going into this match after his winner yesterday. Him and Gerrard being the two futhest midfielders means there will be a mix of pressing high up the pitch and creativity from Gerrard who playing in that position can cause a lot of problems. Allen gets dropped for me because he's been a bit off form and Henderson is playing decently enough.

Shelvey has to get the pick ahead of Yesil or Morgan for me. He's scored before playing as a striker/false 9 and neither Yesil or Morgan look composed or mature enough to be starting a PL game yet. Shelvey is naturally confident and has a great shot on him. Was unlucky not to score last week. Him dropping slightly deep when we have the ball, combined with our possession based midfield should mean we dominate the game.

Obviously none of this matters if we dont take our chances and with Suarez out it'll be a challenge to score. Logic says that this is a 0-0 but I'm going with Shelve and Gerrard to gove us a 2-0 victory

[Lothairio]

                      Reina

Johnson     Skrtl      Agger      Enrique


                      Lucas


            Gerrard          Henderson

Sterling         Shelvey              Assaidi

After reading Spyin' Kop I think it would be good to see Assidi start and to give their RB a gard time with Sterling doing the same on the right. Obviously this means Enrique drops to LB but I would rather that than playing Downing.

Henderson is playing well and should have a good bit of confidence going into this match after his winner yesterday. Him and Gerrard being the two futhest midfielders means there will be a mix of pressing high up the pitch and creativity from Gerrard who playing in that position can cause a lot of problems. Allen gets dropped for me because he's been a bit off form and Henderson is playing decently enough.

Shelvey has to get the pick ahead of Yesil or Morgan for me. He's scored before playing as a striker/false 9 and neither Yesil or Morgan look composed or mature enough to be starting a PL game yet. Shelvey is naturally confident and has a great shot on him. Was unlucky not to score last week. Him dropping slightly deep when we have the ball, combined with our possession based midfield should mean we dominate the game.

Obviously none of this matters if we dont take our chances and with Suarez out it'll be a challenge to score. Logic says that this is a 0-0 but I'm going with Shelve and Gerrard to Gove us a 2-0 victory

You wont get much out of that twat!

[Filler.]

Lucas, Allen and Sahin (if his massive face hemorrhage has cleared up... has it? I keep seeing him stuck in a lift in The Shining) in the middle... Gerrard on the right to give Sterling a break, plus give support to Shelvey... and I guess Enrique on the left with the ensuing shift of roles from  Johnson to Wisdom ?

Or a totally different idea. Gerrard and Henderson infront of Lucas... Sterling, Shelvey (it's going to be Shelvey) and someone on the left...

Or the one we'll go with... Lucas, Gerrard, Allen, Sterling, Shelvey, Cole. Cheers.

[Harinder]

PS - To all hammers fans reading this, courtesy of newsnow reporting the link this morning, welcome. Come in, stay a while, appreciate some quality and of course laugh at this.

For you Peacham... for you!

[Big Dirk]

We will boss this possession wise with West Ham looking to cause us problems from set pieces with Nolan and Cole.Think our defence and midfield will be too strong for them.2-0 to the Reds.

[BreakfastPercy]

The Allardyce masterplan:

[simcolfc]

It's possible we opt for nobody in the striker position like in Europe with Morgan and Cole and then the following prem match against Chelsea.  Think we played three at the back in both instances and the wide players would bust a** to get centrally to act as focal points and then retreat back to the wings when the opposition had the ball.  Not saying I prefer that, but I wouldn't be surprised if he opted for that again.

[UntouchableLuis]

Surprised people aren't calling for Suso to start. Think he was excellent last night, provides real class on the ball and can make something happen.

[careful on these streets, I've heard stories]

The Allardyce masterplan:

LMFAO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Take a bow son.

[Alonso_The_Assassin]

The Allardyce masterplan:

Priceless!

[Anonymous5]

This will be a touch game, West ham are on form at the moment and we are without Suarez.

                      Reina

Wisdom     Skrtel      Agger      Johnson


                       Lucas

            Gerrard          Allen

Sterling           Shelvey             Enrique


This I think gives us the height to defend against West hams direct play.

[robertobaggio37]

Reina, Wisdom, Skrtel, Agger, Johnson, Lucas, Allen, Sahin (if fit) or Shelvey, Enrique, Gerrard, Sterling

[Z e u s]

Reina

Skrtel Coates Agger

Johnson Lucas Allen Enrique

Gerrard Sterling

Shelvey

Gerrard and Sterling having freedom to roam.

[Beninger]

We will control the midfield.  Skrtel to eat up all of their hoofs.  We'll get at least one perfectly good chance to score, hope we take it.  Clean sheet, please!

[Red_Rich]

Big game - and a goal or two needed - by Gerrard (going forward) and Lucas (snuffing out their attacks at the back)

Add that to a mistake-free defensive display and I can see us hanging on for a narrow 2-1 victory. 

[Paullfc95]

Tough team to pick here. Shelvey will definitely play upfront, with probably Lucas Allen and gerrard in the middle.
The decision to make is on the flanks.
To go with first choice back 4 - GJ, MS, DA, JE - we it would mean playing suso/downing on the wing.
Both IMO are too lightweight for a direct physical team like west ham.
So the options are:
1) Play JE as winger and AW at right back. Not sure brendan will do this now as JE been great at fullback.
2) Play gerrard off on of the flanks and put JH in the middle. This is the option I'd go with.

Think brendan will play suso though, just not sure whether its going to work.

[Beninger]

Will big Andy feature or he still injured?

On loan...

[Red Genius]

Surprised people aren't calling for Suso to start. Think he was excellent last night, provides real class on the ball and can make something happen.

Not wrong mate, he was class.... we need as many match winners out there without Suarez playing, so perhaps that goes against him at the mo.

[Hij]

Just got the call from Brendan, he heard about my performance for Liverpool fans against Inter Milan fans and has asked me to show up on the day with my boots and shinnys, says I'm starting up front

Seriously though can't wait for the match, not been to an away for agessss!

[VAred]

On loan...

To west ham lol and no he's out for a while

[Red Eyed]

To west ham lol and no he's out for a while

Players aren't allowed to play against the club that loaned them out.

[B0151?]

Be a really tough game. I hope people aren't moaning if we don't get a result! Not a pessimist, but I'll be pleased if we don't lose.

[El_Pistolero]

The Allardyce masterplan:

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/A8xLxIpCIAA5mdp.png:large

I'd join the military right away if they still dressed like that. Them were the days.

[Beninger]

Players aren't allowed to play against the club that loaned them out.

 

I figured he would get it.

[Rojo O Muerto]

So come December, Carroll is still shite and Gerrard is yet to be played in an advanced role. In Rawk we trust.

[woof]

This is shaping up to be a game where we would either win or lose badly. Why? Very contrasting styles of football. While the Swansea game had a stalemate written all over it before kickoff, this match will be a goals galore. We either win 2-0 or lose 3-1. It's definitely a winnable match for us, as long as we can deal with the quick game and bombing from the flanks which Fat Sam loves to play. Assuming Enrique and Johnson are playing as full backs, we have a good chance to stop them. To win the game, we need to control midfield and we certainly have the cattle to do so. I would like to see Sterling play on the left and Suso on the right. Let's hope Shelvey doesn't hesitate in front of the goal like he normally does.

[Kochevnik]

I think we're well overdue for an "Agger special" from 30 yards.  Hopefully this will be the game; we could certainly use a goal from a defender this game as without Suarez up front we'll be needing someone else to chip in.

[peachybum]

Got no idea who will win but i think either we'll totally control the game with our possession or we'll be completely overran by their power game. Playing on Thursday night really won't have helped and West Ham must be high on confidence after what they did to Chelsea, so i make them favourite.

Like most games it'll come down to finishing which is why i think we'll likely lose. Chelsea could have been 5 up by half time against them but missed their chances which allowed West Ham to come out in the second half still in the game.

[aliotman]

                      Reina

    Wisdom     Skrtel     Agger      Johnson


                        Lucas    Allen


        Assaidi        Gerrard        Enrique           

                          Sterling         



.

[RogerTheRed]

Come On Redmen!
Having seen U21 yesterday any chance of late call for Pacheco?

[Malaysian Kopite]

Come On Redmen!
Having seen U21 yesterday any chance of late call for Pacheco?

Don't get your hopes up.

[Tony19:6]

Just seeing that fat fcuck in the opposite dugout should be inspiration enough for this one.
Has he started shooting his big gob off yet?
Cmon Redmen!

[Solomon Grundy]

Come On Redmen!
Having seen U21 yesterday any chance of late call for Pacheco?

The problem with Pacheco is he is another No.10 type player. We've got plenty of players who can play that role at the moment. What we need is No.9 type player who is ready to lead the line for us. Adam Morgan and Samed Yesil are the closest we've got available to us at the moment and I don't think either of them are quite ready yet.