I know, the obvious answer is, "If yes then it must be a bloody silly question" but stay with me. On the whole, Faubert has aquitted himself reasonably well this season but I think he holds some responsibility for our defeat on Saturday. First half, I thought we did ok and were "shading the game", but just before half time, Faubert lost possession on the half way line and Stoke surged forward. For the last couple of minutes of the half we were under the cosh and we never seemed to recover from that point. Stoke had taken the initiative and we never looked like wrestling it back.
But the thing is, Faubert is not a right back. He has done a job there, but how much are we losing offensively by tying him to defensive duties? People forget that five of our first 7 goals last season came from Faubert passes / crosses. He is now playing with greater confidence and is more willing to take players on. As his goal against Hull proved, he can also belt the ball into the net, given the chance. Should Zola therefore move him forward, using his defensive ability to screen Spector at the same time?
For the Everton game, I would like to see us revert to five in midfield, but with Diamanti playing in the hole. I would keep Behrami on the left, ideally using Ilunga at left back if he is fit. Otherwise, I would go back to Daprela.
My team would read:
Green
Spector, Da Costa, Upson, Ilunga
Kovac
Faubert, Parker, Behrami
Diamanti
Cole
I suspect this team would have more "shape" than Zola's recent efforts and would offer more goal threat by getting Diamanti higher up the pitch in a central position.
Opinions?
COYI!
I would squeeze Gabbidon in there if he's fit....even at right back.
ReplyDeleteI'd also want to start McCarthy. I think he has a lot to give and can make that difference in the box even though he still looks over-weight.
Green
Gab, DaCosta, Upson, Ilunga/Dap
Kovac
Faubert,Parker, Behrami
Cole, McCarthy
Kovac to tie down Cahill (if fit) or Osman/Pienaar. Behrami to help with Arteta. Faubert to provide for our front two. Diamanti to come off the bench.
Anyone accuse your COYI of standing for 'Come On You Idiots" yet HF? :)
He isn't just overweight, he is FAT! I was amazed seeing him in the flesh.
ReplyDeleteI myself would go for a 3-5-2
ReplyDeleteGreen
Upson Tomkins Da Costa
Faubert Parker Noble Behrami
Diamanti (in the hole behind the front two)
Cole Ilan
I think the time has come for us to go all out attack, We have nothing to loss.
And I would rather see us go down fighting that the crap I have seen over the last two games, at very least Diamanti would create a few chances for the front two.
Very brave Dave. Think we would be thumped!
ReplyDeleteI know we might ship a few, but what are we to do? We cant just carry on the same way that we have been.
ReplyDeleteOn saturday I stayed until the death with my boy, praying that we would as least create a chance.
But I cant ever remember us having so little fight or leadership on and of the pitch, If Upson is captain material then im a monkeys uncle, Where was he when Tompkins made that mistake against wolves?
The kid is only 20 and Upson, parker or green should have at least put an arm around him and coached him though it.
The time has come to clutch at straws.
I must say im not looking forward to playing cardiff, milwall & leeds next season.
God, they will order the Millwall games to be behind closed doors if they have any sense!
ReplyDeletepersonally i think we could play 433 still. Defense left to right daprela regardless of ilunga being fit or not, upson, da costa and faubert. Mid left to right behrami, kovac and parker. Left wing stanislas, cole and right wing diamanti. Wingers can drift in and full backs can be like wingers bombing up often and giving width. Kovac would be told to stay back and cover full backs at all times. appyammer
ReplyDeleteHF,
ReplyDeleteFunny thing is that I did write 'fat' first but then deleted it because it sounds a bit rude, which was not my intention of course.
"I was amazed seeing him in the flesh", really? Tell us more HF :)
Don't worry lads, Wigan will finish below us :)
Whatever way we play the end result will be the same. 7 defeats...zola should be proud. You really think he will do anything differently, come on its zola we are talking about. NOTHING will change until that mug goes back to Italy. Why do we kid are selfs week in week out. NO ONE LOSSES 6 in row and keeps their job in any league! Name one other club in england that has lost six straight. Screw West Ham.
ReplyDeleteMan...what on earth happened to Illunga this year?
ReplyDeleteI can't believe anyone would play Kovac, seen every game this year and yet to see him pass the ball 3 times in a row without misplacing it. rubbish in the air, poor first touch, doesn't score and often gives needless free kicks away plus poor defending in set pieces. I would prefer Noble or Behrami and Parker with Stanislas starting and Faubert on the other side. Back 4, Gabbidon, Upson, the deygo and Spector right back.
ReplyDeleteI also think you have the option of playing 4-4 2.
ReplyDeletegreen
behrami da costa upson spector
faubert parker noble daprela
diamanti
cole
I can udnerstand pweople not wanting Kovacplaying in a 433 but i think he works best if you tell him just sit there dont do anything fancy. protect the full back attacking on either flank, sheild back four at other times and when in posesseio jmust play very easy balls. In a 433 he should always have decent easy options even if its to the side or to the back but easy balls even he cant bugger up. I also think the players we have available dont suit a 442.
AppyAmmer
23:23 we have to go on the attack - we have nothing lose - as according to you it's over - you've thrown in the towel already - you'll carrying on bitching until your hearts content
ReplyDelete23:23 we have to go on the attack - we have nothing lose - as according to you it's over - you've thrown in the towel already - you'll carrying on bitching until your hearts content
ReplyDeleteGood Post that is the team I would pick. I think Diamanti needs to play in that position just behind the forwards to get the best out of him. You never know things might just click on the weekend and we might get a result.
ReplyDeleteNot the same Faux pas that was the victim of your campaign of vitriolic hatred not too long ago? Not that Julian Faubert?
ReplyDeleteVitriolic hatred? Because I called him Faux Pas? That's not vitriolic hatred! But yes, it is the same player about whom I, in common with 99% of West Ham fans, have harboured doubts. Remember the reaction when Real Madrid signed him? I do ask, "Is Faubert the answer?" I'm not sure which is why I ask the question.
ReplyDeleteCould the question be, 'what do you call a famous bright German falcon?'
ReplyDeleteHor? Or Finist the Bright Falcon?
ReplyDeleteHammersfan said...
ReplyDeleteFar from one trick. My first trick, ahead of any other Hammer fan was to "call out" Green, saying he was very far from a complete keeper. My second trick was to big up Cole ahead of 99% of West Ham fans, saying he would win more England caps than Ashton. My next trick was saying Behrami was no great shakes whilst 99% of West Ham fans were calling him a great player. My next trick was to say that Sears was nowt special. My next trick was to say that Ashton would never kick a ball again for the club, whilst Duxbury was telling arse licking blogs how Beano was on his way back. My next trick was to expose the lies of Duxbury. My next trick was to warn about the lack of full back cover and the need for another striker. My next trick was to predict a relegation struggle before the season kicked off. My next trick was to say that Collins would be a huge loss. My next trick was to expose Zola as a tactical numpty whilst 99.99% of West Ham fans were signing in and out with "In Zola we trust." I predicted the sending off in the Hull game and the 2-0 victory to Arsenal (at half time) even though Arsenal were down to 10 men. I also said exactly how Chelsea would score their second goal at half time in that game. Finally, I predicted SIX relegation Cup Finals in our last six home games of the season. Had we won the first 3, that prediction would have been wrong, but I knew that it would be 6, because in Zola we trust!
31 March 2010 16:41
All hail HF for he is the only true god.... be kneel before thee
Thanks for advertising my brilliance on every post! Go and post it on Dale's site so others understand and make a pilgrimage here.
ReplyDelete