Reading Zola's comments, it is clear that he has all but given up on the game at the Emirates today. Parker has some "tightness" in his legs and so misses the match and, as Zola admits, Parker is crucial to his team. Who doesn't feel some tightness in the legs between games? That goes with the turf. Zola is not shy to explain that we have an important game on Tuesday - which is the real reason behind Parker's absence. In addition to his comments published on the Official Site, Zola is believed to have said: "I have to ensure that we put on a good show for the mini season ticket holders on Tuesday night against Wolves. They are discerning customers and have invested their earnings in supporting the team and will not buy tickets again in a hurry if we serve up any more performances like the one against Bolton."
If reports are to be believed, Zola's plans are also in tatters because of shock injuries to Dyer and Gabbidon, both of whom have been ruled out by muscle problems. Two games in eight days is clearly asking too much for these two supreme athletes. But is Zola really keeping them back for the Wolves game?
Ilunga is back in training but surely will not play. That would destroy the Zola masterplan for developing Daprela by starting his career with games against Arsenal, Chelsea and Arsenal again. If the boy's confidence isn't shot to pieces after that, then he must be special! We have already seen a false start or two from Ilunga this season; Daprela is probably the better bet anyway.
Will Noble start? Will Cole and Franco return? What about McCarthy? Will Ilan be started on the right of midfield again after his epic performance at Chelsea? Will Spector's nightmare continue?
Questions, questions. But Zola just wants to say "Pass" and get to the next big question, the one that matters, the performance before the Fanno, that 36 pointer at home to Wolves!
12 comments:
it must be enough to make him half fit for today and if played not fit at all for wolves. he wouldnt have made that decision because he has 'given up'. you're the one who sounds like he's given up on the team
You have forgotten the booking situation. One more booking rules Parker out of the Wolves game. Zola is thinking ahead. Our only hope is that Arsenal have Barcelona on their minds!
I hadn't forgotten that and yes it's one more factor for making the sensible decision
So what are you taking issue with? Zola is thinking ahead and is prioritising the Wolves game. That is how desperate we have become. A local derby against Arsenal and we field a weakened team to save players for a fixture against...Wolves. I remember when we brushed Wolves aside at Upton Park without a second thought! That is how far down Zola has taken us in 18 months of managing the club!
what are you talking about - are you half mad or perhaps a half wit? do you honestly think it's only Zola who makes these decisions? you don't think people higher up have any imput? you really are a cretin of the highest order.
In case you haven't noticed the clubs been experiencing financial difficulties and we've not had money to bring in players, and again because of lack of funds a lot of players that have come in haven't been much good - and believe it or not that has an affect on the pitch. What is wrong with you? you really must be a div!
Remember we've have won none of our last nine Premier League London derbies.
.. and have won none of our last 14 Premier League away matches and lost the last three in a row.
The Arse however have won their last five Premier League games in a row, the last time they achieved six on the trot was in autumn of 2007.
And you question why we're concentrating on the Wolves game? what bit can't you understand? or perhaps Zola's trying some tactics - did that ever cross that woeful mind of yours?
Mind you on the bright side a draw could be on the cards.... as only one of the last seven meetings in all competitions between Arsenal and West Ham has ended as a home victory.
"That is how far down Zola has taken us in 18 months of managing the club!"
So the financial crisis and nearly going bankrupt obviously has had no effect on the pitch?
It's all one man's fault is it?
Get your CV in - tell them you're the man for the job - I don't see how you can fail
I have learnt over the years never to write the Hammers chances off. It is admittedly looking a long shot, especially with Scott Parker out, but who knows? This may be one of the days when they do the unexpected and remind us all why we love this wonderfully romantic, but frustrating club so much!
SJ. Chandos.
Hmmmm. TurdsOut, why have we ever bothered in games against Man Utd or Arsenal. They are bigger, richer clubs. They have better players, have always had better players. Arsenal were a bigger club with better players when we beat them on the way to winning the Cup in 75. They were in the top division and we were a division below when we beat them in the Cup Final. They were a better team when we became the last club to win at Highbury and they were still the better team when we became the first club to win at the Emirates.
Funnily enough, Juve are a bigger team than Fulham. Funnily enough, Fulham have to operate on a budget. Funnily enough, Fulham feature Konchesky, Paintsil and Zamora in the team, players deemed surplus to requirements at Upton Park.
Look at the statistics YOU quote. No victories in out last 9 London derbies. Have we ever been on such a bad run in all your years of supporting the club? I remember the old London League published in the Standard, showing league positions based on London derbies. We usually punched above our weight in these games.
We have won none of our last 14 away games - yet most of the tough away games are still to be played. What a total and utter disgrace!
You quote those stats in DEFENCE of Zola. God help us! The guy should have gone by now. We were pathetic at Burnley, we were pathetic in the second half at Old Trafford, we were pathetic at home to Bolton, we were pathetic in the second half at Chelsea. We are in deep deep trouble but still people are making excuses for Zola. He has Green, Upson, Cole, Behrami, Parker and Diamanti. He should be able to build a team around those players that can win one London derby out of 9 and one away game out of 14 surely? 10 man Hull showed more spirit and fight against Arsenal than our 11 showed at Chelsea. That is disgraceful.
Well said Chandos and welcome aboard. The trouble is, we used to EXPECT a performance and HOPE for a result; now we are reduced to HOPING for a performance. Yes we may fluke a result, as we fluked a result in the Great Escape season if we are honest, but NEVER has the gap in class felt as wide as it does now. Rooney apart, Man Utd are not THAT special, but second half it was men against toddlers at Old Trafford. Drogba apart, Chelsea are not that special (as Inter showed) but it was like watching a pit bull fight with a miniature poodle in the second half at Chelsea. Bolton are in no way special but they murdered us at Upton Park.
ManU and Chelsea aren't that special?
You've seriously lost the plot mate, have a tot up, net worth of both teams and make a comparison and then see how special they are..... you're getting worse
Wasn't in defence of Zola it was a defence of the decision - we need to stay up by any means necessary and it that means fielding a weaker team against the arse and concentrating on the Wolves game then so be it.
Wolves played a full strength side and picked up a point at Villa. They go into Tuesday's game brimming with confidence. If we get thumped at the Emirates...
1339, Manchester United lost Tevez and Ronaldo this year. The replacements are not in the same class. Meanwhile, Scholes and Giggs are a year older. As results have shown this season, there isn't a true "stand out" team in tthe division.
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