PBP: EPL - West Ham United FC vs Manchester United FC - Sep 19, 2021 [R]

I have no idea the lineup and even though the one I won't won't happen I would make this a mix of the A and the B side cuz the guys just had a short week and then you can fully let the b-side go in during the tin Cup match.

 

At least, won't have to contest with Antonio (which is a nice break, if we're being honest). The team I'd go with Sunday:
---------------------Dave
-----AWB---Varane---Maguire---Shaw
---------------Matic---Donny
---------Sancho---Bruno---Pogba
--------------------Ronaldo
With the Carabao Cup game coming up shortly after that, Ole can tinker with the team then. With Dalot guaranteed a certain number of starts coming up, would go with AWB on this one just for his confidence and we'll still need his defensive solidity in a tough away game also.
With Mc still not available, it's Matic and Donny in the middle of the park for me. Donny did very well in terms of keeping things ticking over in Bern. His absence when Ole decided to take him off was felt pretty significantly. The front 4 has options but this is the one I'd go with Sunday: Mase and Martial are on the bench, if needed and they can get the start in the League Cup game.
Really like our chances to rebound immediately from Tuesday's disappointment with the team above.

 

Wont be easy, good thing is Antonio is out.

 

This match would be a good test to see if this squad is gonna to challenge for anything or not this season.
We were not good at Soton and even worst against Wolves even we won. This is a more than decent West Ham side that is capable of beating us.

 

Needless to say, but yet another mid-table team with a better central midfield than ours - so wouldnt be surprised if we struggle to control the game again and continue to make us a hard watch.

That said, their attack is neutured somewhat with Antonio suspended and no Lingard this year. Plus I fancy our attack against their defence.

Same old then - need our attack to dig us out a hole and our defence to hold firm with little cover. As we try and make up for the big hole in our middle.

Maybe Lingard to come on for a late redemption winner and do a muted celebration

 

He may be available to assist for a goal or two.

 

Cmon Syed, we know you dont like him.

 

What I want to see.

 

+1 @jeff070 but i doubt VDB starts.

 

PogBeek would be interesting but not sure we will see that.

No way would I start Martial. Sancho in for him for me.

 

Why muted? He did a great job for them and his thanks was no offer in the summer.

 

A Pogs-Donny midfield would be interesting but definitely do not think it is a viable one at all in this contest against a midfield of Rice and Soucek. And that is before we consider their attack, which might not be top, top class but could be troublesome, particularly since they'll be home. It's absolutely asking for trouble.
That kind of midfield could be worth the try against a mid to lower team that is nowhere as talented as WH: can't leave the backline completely exposed the way it could be with those 2.

 

One of those games that could go every which way and is a bit worrisome, considering the team's history in that stadium. Not to mention the fact that this still a pretty tough WH team to deal (even without Antonio up top).

 

He may celebrate - he has every right to. However players are more media / image savvy these days and with his contract up he may still want to show “respect” to the hammers fans.

Him not moving this summer was for a large part on him not wanting to. He wants to run his contract down and see what materialises in terms of options which is fair enough. One of those options may be West Ham - so just saying if he did score it wouldnt surprise me if he did a muted celebration for his own purposes.

Either way whatever he chooses is fine by me

 

2-0 win

 

Dave, AWB, Varane, Maguire, Shaw, McFred, Mase, Bruno, Pogba, Ronaldo.

 

Hammers XI: Fabianski, Coufal, Ogbonna, Zouma, Cresswell, Rice, Soucek, Fornals, Benrahma, Vlasic, Bowen

 

********in McFred.

 

More than the combo itself, very curious to see how Mc does and if he's really fit. Because unless it was some odd misdirect from Ole, he did say earlier in the week that McTominay, eventhough was back in training, would not be available until the end of the month.
Yet, here he is. Interesting to say the least...

 

The obsession with playing Fred is infuriating!!!! Ffs

 

Interesting that Lindelof didn't even make the squad. Wonder if he's carrying a knock.

 

Yeah, lack of skill/talent/ability...