West Ham Thread

[Lucky Pierre]

I'd go with;

 

-----------------Reina------------------

 

Arbeloa-----Carra-------Agger------Insua

 

---------Mascherano-----Gerrard---------

 

----Kuyt----------Yossi----------Riera----

 

------------------Torres------------------

 

I think we will probably see Lucas, Skrtel and Aurelio in for Riera, Agger and Inusa though.

I'd go with that, but don't think rafa will.

[StevieH]

West Ham United | News | Latest News | News | FA-Club statement

 

West Ham face a hearing two days after the Barclays Premier League season finishes to see if they will be allowed a UEFA licence for next term.

A panel appointed by an independent specialist dispute resolution body will decide on May 26 whether the club will be given the licence they need to play in the Europa League, should they finish seventh in the table.

The licence can only be granted when certain financial documents are submitted - but the likely change of ownership at Upton Park means West Ham have not been able to do that.

The Hammers are confident they will be in a position to supply all the required information ahead of the deadline.

A statement from the Football Association read: "The FA can confirm that, following initial consideration of West Ham United's application, the club has not to date been granted a UEFA licence to compete in European competition next season should they qualify.

"In accordance with set procedures, a final hearing will take place on May 26 before a panel appointed by Sport Resolutions - an independent specialist alternative dispute resolution body."

West Ham are confident they will be able to satisfy the requirements for a licence.

"Due to a number of factors, principally relating to a possible change of ownership of West Ham United, the club has not been able to submit certain financial information, but expects to be in a position to do so by May 26," their statement read.

It means that if West Ham finish seventh, they will not find out until two days later if they will be allowed in the revamped version of the UEFA Cup.

A Premier League statement added: "The Premier League respects the fact that there are set procedures in the matter of West Ham's UEFA Licence application and that a final outcome will not be known until after the season has finished."

[Rex Banner]

Lets do them a favour and sort out any worries they have about getting a UEFA licence hey.

[Paul]

With no Xabi, I'd go with this:

 

Pepe

 

Albert Carra Danny Boy Aurelio

 

Gerrard The Chief

 

Dirk Yossi Riera

 

El Nino

 

I'm loathe to suggest Gerrard should play so deeply, but I really think we'll need someone who can pick a pass from the centre. Also, Yossi's quick feet and sharp brain, not to mention his great form, demand his inclusion.

[Rex Banner]

There's no way Rafa will play Gerrard in Xabi's position, Lucas will play for sure.

[Red Phoenix]

With no Xabi, I'd go with this:

 

Pepe

 

Albert Carra Danny Boy Aurelio

 

Gerrard The Chief

 

Dirk Yossi Riera

 

El Nino

 

Wouldn't mind seeing those players but like this :

 

Pepe

 

Albert Carra Danny Boy Aurelio

 

Dirk The Chief

 

Yossi Gerrard Riera

 

El Nino

 

 

 

I mean, if everyone says Lucas is so bad, then how can Dirk do worse there? Could be interesting, but it's not gonna happen is it.... and shit if it did and we draw or lose, then the Rafa out brigade will make a forum meltdown within seconds of the whistle blowing.

[Paul]

There's no way Rafa will play Gerrard in Xabi's position, Lucas will play for sure.

Even though I suspect you're right, I wouldn't be so certain about anything Rafa might do. However, that's moot anyway as most people give personal preferences for the side rather than predictions. Or at least I do at any rate.

[Woo]

Wouldn't mind seeing those players but like this :

 

Pepe

 

Albert Carra Danny Boy Aurelio

 

Dirk The Chief

 

Yossi Gerrard Riera

 

El Nino

 

 

 

I mean, if everyone says Lucas is so bad, then how can Dirk do worse there? Could be interesting, but it's not gonna happen is it.... and shit if it did and we draw or lose, then the Rafa out brigade will make a forum meltdown within seconds of the whistle blowing.

 

Can I have some of what you've been smoking? It sounds like good shit.

[Woo]

As much as I would be tempted to drop Riera, I think his width is vital, and I would expect him to get some joy out of Lucas Neill. If we put Yossi on the left, and had Dirk on the right, like we did at the start of the season, the play would get cramped in the middle, and Gerrard and Torres wouldn't get the space to play.

[Red Phoenix]

Would go for this anyway :

 

----------------------Pepe

 

Albert------Carra----------Dagger------Aurelio

 

--------------------The Chief

 

Dirk----------Yossi---------Gerrard------Riera

 

----------------------El Nino

 

 

 

Can I have some of what you've been smoking? It sounds like good shit.

 

I changed my mind, I'm ok again now. And I could really do with a smoke. :(

[Top of the Kop]

Lucas will be fine in next to Mascherano. He may not be a world beater but he does get stuck in nowadays and he can certainly keep the teams tempo by keeping it simple. If you play Gerrard there he will have to sit and will want, ultimately, to bomb forward thus leaving gaps in midfield.

[ratcatcher]

Not the least bit surprised alonso is out after that near leg breaker by b*rton last week.

 

Hopefully we'll get the 3 points but I cant see many goals in this game. Fingers crossed filth drop points to massive citeh.

 

C'mon Reds!

[philyhamann]

Lucas will be fine in next to Mascherano. He may not be a world beater but he does get stuck in nowadays and he can certainly keep the teams tempo by keeping it simple. If you play Gerrard there he will have to sit and will want, ultimately, to bomb forward thus leaving gaps in midfield.

 

He is fucking awful, I fear any game where he plays - especially if its decent opposition.

[meijer 09]

As much as I would be tempted to drop Riera, I think his width is vital, and I would expect him to get some joy out of Lucas Neill. If we put Yossi on the left, and had Dirk on the right, like we did at the start of the season, the play would get cramped in the middle, and Gerrard and Torres wouldn't get the space to play.

 

Totally agree i was of the thinking riera should be dropped, but your right we need to open the pitch up so our best players have space to do damage. I'd love to see yossi in the team as well though due to his fantastic form, he's got to play surely. Maybe gerrard in the middle is the way to go

[lebron]

Rafa always springs a surprise in games like these, I'm guessing Dossena will play to cause some people here heart attack, and Torres will start on the bench.....

 

----------Reina-----------

 

Arbeloa--Skrtel--Carra--Insua

 

Benayoun--Masch--Lucas--Dossena

 

----------Gerrard--------------

------------Kuyt-----------

[King Emlyn]

Don't fancy this game one bit, been saying it for a while now but this fixture has been flashing danger for me whenever i've studied our run in.

[King Emlyn]

Lucas will tear a new hole in them. And smile a lot.

Course he will, course he will.

[coop]

Lucas did not do too badly alongside Mascherano against Man United away earlier in the season and i would have no problems him playing there again allowing us to play one of the best attacking midfielders in the world in his natural position.

[meijer 09]

Rafa always springs a surprise in games like these, I'm guessing Dossena will play to cause some people here heart attack, and Torres will start on the bench.....

 

----------Reina-----------

 

Arbeloa--Skrtel--Carra--Insua

 

Benayoun--Masch--Lucas--Dossena

 

----------Gerrard--------------

------------Kuyt-----------

 

I certainly hope he doesn't pick this team. The best team available must play and this is not it. Torres is fit and no one in their right mind would leave him out

[King Emlyn]

He is fucking awful, I fear any game where he plays - especially if its decent opposition.

I agree.

[lebron]

I certainly hope he doesn't pick this team. The best team available must play and this is not it. Torres is fit and no one in their right mind would leave him out

 

 

Let's not forget, this is not the first time this season that Torres has "been training with the team" and not been fully fit. I for one won't be too surprised to see him on the bench. I hate those goddamn hamstring injuries as much as the next man, they are killers. If Nando's hamstrings were tight last weekend, there's no guarantee he's fully fit now. If he's still struggling, I'd rather we played the team I mentioned (without Dossena obviously) than risk another Owen (I fear it's already too late tbh, but no further damage to Nando please). People will say that there's no reason to rest him now. Well there is. For each hamstring recurrence Nando's muscles (and mind) will be more and more f**ked up. I'll be very surprised to see Nando doing more than 10 yard sprints for the rest of the season. Remember Owen's injury at Leeds. 30-40 yard full sprint, never fully recovered after that. If we do the same to Torres I will be gutted.

 

Sorry to be doom mongering (sp?), perhaps it's better to be pleasantly surprised rather than going into meltdown tomorrow afternoon?

[meijer 09]

Sorry to be doom mongering (sp?), perhaps it's better to be pleasantly surprised rather than going into meltdown tomorrow afternoon?

 

Yeah i know what your saying we certainly dont want another owen, but i think the way rafa has been resting torres and gerrard lately he wont risk playing players injured. But lets hope we are pleasantly suprised. No dossena please

[Wor Horse]

What's the away pub?

[philyhamann]

Lucas did not do too badly alongside Mascherano against Man United away earlier in the season and i would have no problems him playing there again allowing us to play one of the best attacking midfielders in the world in his natural position.

 

He is passable when we put in performances like the game against Man Utd.

[drewy]

He is passable when we put in performances like the game against Man Utd.

 

Agreed, he hasn't put a decent performance when the rest of the team has struggled.

 

That's something that sets him apart from his peers imo.