45 points and a pig of a run in (no pun on Swine Flu intended!). We did well to eke out a point at Villa and with a striker worthy of the name, would probably have picked up another against Chelsea. Tell me, if Di Michele and Tristan are worth their salt, why weren't they stepping forward to take that penalty? Twelve yards out, unchallenged, only the keeper to beat - fancy it Diego? No? How about you David? No? Looks like the 21 year old midfielder will have to take it then despite missing his last one! On yer bikes you pair of bottlers!
Zola's target was 52 points and that target isn't going to be easy to reach. We should be looking to claim 3 points in the last game of the season against Boro, but if they are fighting for their Premiership lives or signing off their stint in the Prem after being relegated, that might not be the straight forward victory many hope it will be. Everton away has become an easier game thanks to their passage to the FA Cup Final but 3 points at Goodison is a big ask given our record there. It is not, traditionally, a happy hunting ground. Let's estimate a point from that one. That puts us on 49 with a win over Boro. So where are the other three coming from? A victory over Liverpool? That's a huge ask given their pursuit of the Prem, their only hope of a trophy. I would only predict a draw in my most optimistic mood. So that leaves Stoke on Saturday!
Now Stoke have done brilliantly this season and have a superb home record, so this is a challenging game. Hopefully, Beattie won't make it, but even without him, the bombardment of high balls into our box is going to be Blackburnesque. Neill, Tomkins and Upson are going to have to be on their mettle and Green will have to be decisive. We can't afford for him to stick, twist, stick and twist again as that ball is hurled into our box. We were undone by a set piece header at Upton Park and Pullis will be planning for a repeat. Should Stoke score, securing 3 points will become very difficult given we can't score more than one goal in any game.
Personally I would jettison Di Michele from the team and play with Stanislas and Dyer in the hole behind Tristan, running beyond the target man onto any flick on he might muster through the 90 minutes. In midfield, assuming Parker is unfit, I would go with Kovac, Neill and Noble, with the first two protecting the back 4 and giving additional support as the ball is lumped into our box. At the back I like the idea of Tomkins, Collins, Upson and Ilunga, again with a view to adding inches to the team. Priority number one must be to nullify the aerial threat. Take care of that and Stoke pose very little of an attacking threat.
Can we score? I think Stanislas and Dyer are our best bets for getting a goal personally. Their speed will unnerve the Stoke back four and by "coming from deep", they will unsettle the defensive organisation of the opposition. Win this and we could be in Europe next season; anything less, then that dream will disappear.
9 comments:
No Savio in that line-up? I'd take Neill out of your selection, stick Savio in and go all out attack. We've got nothing to lose. This is an opportunity to blood the young uns'. Maybe Stoke are a bit brutal but the kids have got to learn sometime.
Take Neill out and put another short arse in against Stoke! I see your standard of posting remains consistent. Stick to your lorry driving and transport cafes where they appreciate your opinion more.
Dear God you are an obnoxious idiot. You even found yourself agreeing with me there in your effort to needle Den. What is your issue?
Den, I would hold Savio back and use him to replace Dyer when he tires.
I think don Quixote may have taken a bit of time off from tilting at windmills.
I guarantee one thing hammers fan YOU WONT BE AT THE GAME AS ALWAYS. I will be but im sure you will write some total crap after the game even though you wont have been at the game. No its not make or break and for the record I think it will be a draw.
Then we will see who is right. If we draw we will not qualify for Europe.
I would say the likelihood of a draw is high considering Stoke's home form and our lack of goals, though also the fact we have been conceding very few for months now. Collins won't be fit so your team needs a re-jig, I wold like to see us maintain the consistency of the back four with Neill at RB rather than midfield. I agree Kovac in a holding role with Dyer slightly further forward in a bank of three- with either Junior or Savio (I agree one needs to be held in reserve for when Dyer tires) and Luis who's form has improved markedly of late. Tristan has to be the target man again, partly due to lack of credible alternatives but I have seen improvement in him of late too. That leaves the last man- I personally would like to see Sears given a run in a free role, I know that Stoke have a big and strong back line who could nullify him as Boro did in the cup, but I think we should look to beat Stoke on the counter with bags of pace and movement. Fingers crossed!! I also think the Baggies with give the Spuds a run for their money after the 'mass-whinge heartbreak' of Old Trafford!
Anon 1949. Good post, thanks for the input! FYI, they don't appreciate my opinions in the transport cafe...all I talk about is West Ham! To you and other anons who come on here moaning, do you not see that you are ramping up the hitcount and greatly increasing the chances of making old Fanno money? I like the delicious irony of it all. P.S. Delicious irony, doesn't mean you enjoy chewing the washing!
LOL Den, don't give the game away! These morons are my bread and butter mate! And it is better than they serve in the transport cafes cos it is really, really, really thick!
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