I’ve left it late for a couple of reasons. One, I’m either a terrible manager of my time or I just have too many things to do and two, because I just can’t see how this game is going to go.
The problem is we’re just so inconsistent lately as demonstrated by last weeks shoeing, but then, so are West Ham who could only draw at home to Burnley last weekend.
There is one thing that makes me feel not very confident though, as I’ll come on to.
Squad news and Ollie Watkins will be assessed after sustaining a cut on the knee in the Thursday game. You would think it’s just a case of putting a dab of superglue on and job done, but I guess with it being where it is, there’s a chance of the cut opening up again. Duran has looked pretty useful lately though and perhaps having our no 1 striker out may not be quite the loss it would have been a couple of months ago. That said, I hope Ollie does play, as I rate him very highly.
Diego Carlos is out and I’m not sure what to think about him. He’s either just having a really poor season or he’s injury-prone. Let’s hope it’s the former. Another who hasn’t had a great season is Jacob Ramsey. He may be available but everything I’ve read is a bit vague. I’m assuming he won’t be ready.
And then we have John McGinn suspended for the next three games, which is why I don’t have a good feeling about this game. He’s by far our most physical midfielder and without him or even Ramsey, I just don’t feel we’re going to be able to match West Ham in that part of the pitch. Which might call for some interesting longer ball tactics, as were employed in the Ajax game. It’s interesting that long ball now looks very uncultured, but I wonder if Thursday was a bit of a practice for how we might play games without McGinn?
The better news is that Ezri Konsa and Nicolo Zaniolo are both back after missing out on Thursday.
As for West Ham, Lucas Paqueta picked up a knock in their midweek game, but it might not be too serious. I assume that means he will be assessed too. Emerson will also be assessed and Maxwel Cornet is out.
So, I’m afraid I don’t see us winning this for that midfield reason and I’m predicting a loss. Then again, my daughter asked me what I thought about the Ajax game and I refused to predict, but said I would like to think we’d win. I certainly didn’t see a 4-0 win coming.
So let’s hope my poor run of predicting continues.
A 1-2 loss it is then.
UTV!
Comments
65 responses to “West Ham – Villa; Another where I don’t know what to think”
I must admit, I’m quite looking forward to this one, as much as I don’t think it’s going to be a very good game.
Two up top;
Martinez, Konsa, Lenglet, Torres, Moreno, Tielemans, Luiz, Bailey, Rogers, Duran, Watkins.
Hmm, it’s maybe as I expected. We go longer and go for it.
That’s some front three!! Bloody well going for it!
7-4 to Villa?
Badger I’ve band you from prediction on scores , you’re never right . Shit I thought they scored then forgot we’re not in our colour today draw for me he he .
I like the look of Rogers. How similar to Ramsey is he?
Can”t say I agree Badger or Duran Duran, always seem to make the wrong decisions.
Not for me matey.
Keep overplaying in defence and will concede if we do not sort it out asap
Oh no just conceded all caused due to overplaying .
Bloody avoidable
Longlet is a liabity today.
0-1 and you could see it coming with us giving the ball away so easily.
We look half asleep – messing around at the back and got what we deserved.
If we don’t wake up this is going to be another bad day in the office – and we don’t have a great record of coming from behind
F**k about at the back and far too slow in attack.
Bailey, you tell in the first 10 minutes if he’s up for it and today, I’d say he ain’t
Duran? Don’t start me, space and waste of comes to mind.
Oh shit 1 down , crap defending again and weak forwards like Duran and Moreano plus Tielemann . No chance of winning or drawing . Games going their way .
Add chesty to that list Bill.
Any more signings like those and we’ll be fighting relegation (again)
I think you’re wrong Ron.
He’s young and inexperienced. I certainly like the look of him more than I did Ramsey when he first started in the first team.
I don’t think so Badger, think I’ve watched enough football to spot a dud from a good one and read recently that Rogers hadn’t even convinced many of Middlesbrough supporters of his worth after his £1m transfer from Man city.
Time will tell but personally I don’t see it.
An actual good comment from the woman commentator.
“The lack of movement in midfield isn’t giving the defenders an out.”
Oh my god, she’s f**king awful!
I’m shouting at the Tele “Shut the F**k up!”
Too much pissing about at the back. Bailey isn’t in the game either. It’s all too passive and at 1-0 down we will probably lose. Put Cash on and take off either Lenglet or Torres. Maybe put Diaby on for Duran too.
With Duran and Watkins up front why don’t we launch the ball long to them?
We are so poor it’s embarrassingly.
Oh shit 1 down , crap defending again and weak forwards like Duran and Moreano plus Tielemann . No chance of winning or drawing . Games going their way . lenglet bloody useless twat , we have a load of pussis 🐱🐱
Yes Sid, agreed.
We’re playing too much and it is not working, imo.
We need to go long, as we’re struggling with their press and not getting it forward enough.
It’s all obvious too, which is what’s beginning to concern me re Emery’s tactics at times.
Konsa should move to Lenglet’s position and put Cash on. Diaby for Duran too. Which is what Holte has just said!
I know Badger wouldn’t agree but defensively we have missed Mings this season. Torres has a good passing range but he’s not a leader and he hasn’t got Mings pace. Far too many self created errors leading to goals against us.
Pau hasn’t been the samebsince he came back from injury. Lenglet just isn’t looking up enough and Tielmans is not quick enough. Diaby’s pace can create some space.
Holte, Mings does offer something different, but our stats pretty much prove we haven’t missed him at least earlier in the season.
If he was available now, I’d definitely want him in and he’d probably have started over Longlet, for me.
You never had a good word to say about him🤦♂️
Not true. I don’t like him, but do think he offers something different in leadership and chasing back. I’ve said so too.
2-0. Jesus.
Holte. Our wishes have been granted!
Cash and Diaby for Lenglet and Duran. No surprise! We also need to keep them from scoring in next 15 minutes when we concede the most.
Shit.
And we concede!!!!!! Bloody useless idiots. Game over.
Not given, but I didn’t see a handball tbh.
You need to go to Specsavers mate
The balls going away from the goal then changed direction towards the goal and the only part of the body that could change the direction was an arm.
No goal! Maybe our luck is changing!!!???
I love VAR 😍
Emery’s Achilles heel?
List our best players.
Now list the weakest.
Something stick out like a sore thumb?
The spine of this team is Smithy’s ,the not so good – Emery’s.
And Emery thanked Smith for leaving him some great players!
This half is much better…Come on lads!!!
Mate, pay £13m for Chesty and your judgement may come into question?
Zaniolo, get in!
Replacement for Chesty 😁😂