But start? Against Southampton in a crucial six pointer? Very little chance because that would mean going 4-4-2, and Allardyce isn't going to take that chance in such a big game.
But by failing to do so, he may give Southampton the game on a plate. Look at the goal scoring potential of the two teams if we set up 4-5-1 without Nolan, and you have to say that the Saints would be your favourites to put the ball in the onion bag. And give them a lead and I suspect we will find it very difficult to claw them back and nigh on impossible to get our noses in front.
I posted on Saturday that I expected Taylor to replace Nolan, with Collison coming inside and Taylor going wide left. There is a chance, a slim one but a chance, of Vaz Te starting on the left and Taylor coming in to the middle, with Collison dropping out, but the prospects of a conventional 4-4-2, using Maynard alongside Cole, must be as slim as Keira Knightley on a diet.
The game is fraught with dangers in my book. Lallana, Sharp and Lambert must be favourites to get at least one goal between them - and with our goal per game return since the beginning of December, that spells big danger. But Doctor Evil will see the threat and protect caution from the wind.
13 comments:
Where do you get all this from? We are top of the league and the Saints are on the slide, can't you be a bit up beat? Why are we constantly second guessing things? Lets see how it pans out as who would have expected Tomkins in the middle of the park? But did well. lets just wait and see or if you have to speculate lets be positive.
You can counter with positive specualtion as you just have. I noted the return to form of Southampton at the weekend and a first goal for Sharp.
you must be the worst west ham fan in the world, and you talk alot of crap mate, you really do.
Southampton are not on the slide they are hitting top form again, I would definitely take a point
Boys! I'm going 2moro night. It will be a cracker. I reckon Westham will win. Fuck the new signings we was doing well without them! Up the hammers!!!!
Why would you want Collison ANYWHERE in our midfield at the moment? He has been awful all season. Put Diop in front of the back four (Lansbury if Diop doesn't make it). A middle three of Taylor, Noble and Faubert (Vaz Te) with Maynard and Cole up front. The full backs HAVE to provide the width, safe in the knowledge that Diop will cover any gaps
I haven't said what I want, I've said what I think Allardyce will do!
Anony-mouse says,
I'm hoping against hope that he goes 4 4 2 and takes the game to them. Maynard or Baldock alongside Cole would be fine by me. Taylor or Vaz Te wide left as well. Saints can be ponderous at the back away from home, so let's get at them and not allow a 4 5 1 to invite them onto us. COYI!
It may give him ideas though !
As a Saints fan, I have not been looking forward to this game one bit, everything looked lined up against us. But as bad as we have been (far worse than many will accept), we now have the form and players to do anyone serious damage, irrespective of the venue. If we had both played at the weekend I would be very confident, as it is I can see this going either way if it has taken that little bit too much from us. I don't think SA will go 451 because of what happened at St Marys, where in honesty we were not that good but made to look comfortable. Losing Nolan could well be a blessing in disguise for you in how you line up and the effectiveness that creates or is forced upon SA. After 5 minutes of play I feel both sets of supporters will have figured out how the game will pan out, which I would not put money on. If Saints get control of the midfield then I expect you to be down to 10 men in a short space of time. If that happens, head for the exit as the damage could be irreparable. Equally the opposite could be true if we left too much against Burnley. I don't know how good West Hams form is at the moment, but I have few worries about Saints.
Saints may not be Kenyans, but they will have little problem finding Zola Budd in front.
Changing the subject completely why haven't we got a stand named The Billy Bonds Stand or Bonzo Stand I'm 25 and never did see him play but have heard many stories about him from my dad and understand what a great he was for the club so why don't D&G do something about it they did for Sir Trevor!
Anony-mouse says
20.55- Your last sentence- what are you on about, or alternatively, what are you on?
I cant see why West Ham gave money to Sam when they will probably sack him in the summer regardless of position. Maynard isn't all that, he may have done well at the right club but I cant see him being anything but average at West Ham.
It should be a good game the thing with Saints is that they have the majority their regulars back. West Ham have a load more average percentage players that haven't "gelled"
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