Saturday, 30 July 2011

It's the Final Countdown!

One week away and a heavyweight friendly today, the season is almost upon us. It sounds from the OS as if Big Sam is being told the team to pick. The money men assure us that Parker, Cole, Green, Nolan and Barerra will all feature - and so they should!

If things stay as they are, we should be strong enough to storm the division. I guess my starting 11 for Cardiff would read like this:

Green

Faubert, Tomkins, Reid, Ilunga

Parker

Barerra        Noble         Taylor

Nolan

Cole

The frightening thing about that team is that there is no place for Collison! We would still have a bench reading: Stech, Spence, Collison, Piquionne & Sears! And then, of course, Faye, Stanislas and an exciting crop of kids in reserve. And Hines and O'Brien.

That should be enough to storm the division surely?
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17 comments:

  1. Stani30 July 2011 at 09:55

    Of course there's a place for him. I know everyone knows I'm not a Noble fan, but everyone must be able to see that Collison is better than him, surely?

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  2. Emlyn30 July 2011 at 09:57

    Such a strange blogsite

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  3. Hammersfan30 July 2011 at 10:01

    Is it Emlyn? Why?

    How did I guess you would be first to react Stani?

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  4. Anonymous30 July 2011 at 10:04

    I'd prefer that Belgian GK on the bench...

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  5. Anonymous30 July 2011 at 10:05

    Why would any sane person put Winston Reid in our team? He is a mistake waiting to happen. In the absence of any other centre back signings, Tomkins and Faye have to be our pairing for this season

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  6. Stani30 July 2011 at 10:12

    The same way I guessed that you would say that.

    Keep an eye on your spam folder now and again.

    Collison is better than Noble right?

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  7. Stani30 July 2011 at 10:20

    Agree 10:05...and so will Big Pam

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  8. Johntan30 July 2011 at 10:50

    Yeah Im with you on thais Stani Id have collison in for noble all day long. Noble just doesnt seem to have any stand out feature. He is a nothing player. Collison brings energy which is a great thing to have in the centre of midfield.

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  9. Anonymous30 July 2011 at 11:40

    kevin in manchester writes

    noble & collinson are different midfielders.. noble is parker-lite in defence but with a better pass and all round vision going forward.. collinson is more attacking with quick feet likes to draw opposition defenders in ten yeards outside the penalty area and is a better header of the ball.. but as parker won't be around very much longer it'll be an academic debate..I imagine they'll both be starters. I think we are starting this season with a better squad than last , so yes should storm it but still think it will be a struggle; it is the nature of the Championship

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  10. USA Dave30 July 2011 at 11:42

    So in your opinion, HF, are we going to stand pat now? If you think this lineup will run away with it the rewards of promotion far outweigh the money we would get for selling Parker, Cole, etc.

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  11. Hammersfan30 July 2011 at 12:43

    Noble? No stand out features? He is the best passer of the ball in the squad!

    Dave, I expect late sales - Cole and Parker probably, Piquionne possibly. I expect cheaper recruits to replace them, but that may include Long as a big money signing and a couple of loan signings. There will be a big net saving on wages if that happens.

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  12. fred14930 July 2011 at 13:07

    there is also the oppertunity to play taylor at left back if ilunga hasnt returned to form and then play collison on the left. I would much rather see parker sold and spend the money on a striker then let noble sit back and spray passes to everyone on our team why collison and nolan attack.

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  13. fred14930 July 2011 at 13:12

    Also anybody going to the cardiff match? i shall be sitting in the bobby moore upper stand

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  14. Essexhammer30 July 2011 at 14:44

    HF that team is probably the strongest available,although maybe FAYE for REID when fit,and possibly COLLISON for NOBLE .It's true there is competition in certain positions but the quality is debatable.We will have more of an idea after todays game what level this team is at,but I'm not overly confident as you seem to be regarding the new season.Defensively I do not think they are that strong,the quality of the wide men is a matter of conjecture, and the forwards are not that prolific in front of goal.But for the championship a top 6 finish is possible as the squad currently looks.I think ALLARDYCE needs to bring in 4 priority first teamers: Striker,holding midfielder when PARKER goes,left back and right/centre back.

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  15. tommy30 July 2011 at 15:43

    Green

    Spence Tomkins Faye Taylor

    Parker

    Barrerra Noble Collison

    Nolan

    Cole/Piquionne.

    That team will storm it! Only Leicester can boast a team with as much quality and experience as that but they've got 9 total strangers and I'd be amazed if Sven can gell them right away. The Parker and Cole situations are win wins as far as I'm concerned. If they stay then brilliant if not well we then have plenty of cash to spend. If we don't hit the ground running though I just fear that more and more fans will start getting on Allardyce' and the players backs whilst even more will start getting pissed at SuGo. If we get a good start and are near the top by christmas then I think we'll be fine. COyi.

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  16. Claret!30 July 2011 at 16:00

    No O'Brien???? - how about Green, O'Brien, Samuel, Tomkins, Reid, Faubert, Taylor, Noble, Parker, Nolan, Piquionne.

    Subs: Boffin, Ilunga, Spence, Nouble, Sears, Collison, Cole, Montano, Stanislas, Barrera.

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  17. Sav30 July 2011 at 16:39

    With O'brien from the Bolton rejects squad joining us all we need now is for someone like Kevin Davies to come to West Ham and we will really be Bolton in disguise!

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