Stoke City 0-0 West Ham Utd (29/04/17)

[brooking_1980]

When did we last have a penalty ? Must be due one

Last penalty December 2016, so no penalty in 17 games. I do think that those 2 penalties in a row, against Hull & Burnley, which gave us 4 points, were soft, particularly the Antonio touch and down, and maybe referees pick up on that ?

[YorksHammer]

I said "vital goals." I made no reference to season, competition or number of goals. My opinion is that he scored the most important goal this season. Now your definition of a "vital goal" may be different to mine which is normal as it is a subjective opinion but playing the stat game when it is clear you didn't read what I posted properly adds nothing of value.

I'm not denying his one goal was vital - I'm just saying if you keep him in because, in general, he scores 'vital goals' that's shortsighted and not really looking at his all round play and what he really brings, or doesn't bring, to the team. He's scored one vital goal this season - if he was consistently scoring vital goals and winning us games, I think you'd have a good point, but the truth is he isn't.

I'm also not saying he should be dropped, necessarily - just think that to say he should be in the team for his goalscoring isn't really a reason because it's such a minor part of his game.

I mean, if that's your metric then Noble has scored two goals that gave us vital 1-0 wins this season - so shouldn't he be preferred?

[fester]

I had no real concerns about relegation. Today's news (whether at fault or not) will mean that we have to get the players completely focussed on the game and nothing else. This really will test Slav's mettle. Irrespective of Mark Noble's performances this season, I feel it is critical that he plays. We need balls. We need to not lose.

[tjr008]

Pivotal game.

Win this & Swansea lose and it's 10 points between us with 3 to play. Safe.

Lose & Swansea win it's 4 points with 9 to play for.

If we lose then I think we are going to go.

Hull will win their home games and Swansea win 2 of 3.

We won't win against Tottenham, Liverpool or Burnley.

Same team as v. Everton except Noble for Callieri.

Push Lanzini forward with Ayew.

[browney83]

Jesus Christ…..the drama today. We aren’t going to do down.

[tjr008]

There is every chance we could go down.

38 points is not enough.

I hope the club and the players aren't thinking the same as you.

We have been awful all season and have won once in TEN!!!

[Patito]

Is that worse than winning one in ten?

[Hammer.CA]

Is that worse than winning one in ten?

You are Ali Campbell and I claim my 5 pounds.

[mushy]

There is every chance we could go down.

38 points is not enough.

!!!

There is zero chance and 38 points will be enough this year.

[artlin]

Jesus Christ…..the drama today. We aren’t going to do down.

We could easily win this AND Liverpool AND Burnley.

[Bubbles Murray]

These ones that are saying we ARE safe and will NOT go down. I can't tell if they're unbelievably optimistic or just crap at maths.

[YorksHammer]

There is zero chance and 38 points will be enough this year.

Tough to be sure...

Leicester - currently 37 points
vs Arsenal (a)
vs West Brom (a)
vs Watford (h)
vs Man City (a)
vs Spurs (h)
vs Bournemouth (h)

They'll likely pick up more than a point from that lot, and probably would expect 6+ given the home games they have there.

Burnley - currently 36 points
vs Crystal Palace (a)
vs West Brom (h)
vs Bournemouth (a)
vs West Ham (h)

Tough to know, but must fancy themselves for at least a point against West Brom and ourselves, and possibly four points from those two.

Hull - currently 33 points
vs Southampton (a)
vs Sundeland (h)
vs Crystal Palace (a)
vs Spurs (h)

Should secure all three against Sunderland, but relying on catching one of Southampton or Palace on a bad day. Could potentially see them get three at Palace, but most optimistic might be a point at both. Spurs at home on the last day of the season could be against a side with nothing to play for, which could help them I guess. If you went on current form you'd probably say 5 points maximum from the four, and their inferior goal difference (unless they beat Sunderland by about 10) would keep them below us.

Swansea - currently 31 points
vs Man United (a)
vs Everton (h)
vs Sunderland (a)
vs West Brom (h)

If the Everton that showed up here show up, I think Swansea will take three in that game. Away at a Sunderland who will likely be already relegated would be another three. And West Brom aren't so much on the beach as lazing on lidos floating in the sea while a posh bird noshes them off. Could see them past us come the end of the season if we pick up no further points.

If we get no more points this season, we could conceivably (in my opinion) see us being saved only by goal difference. And that's assuming we don't take four 4-0 spankings back to back, and the likes of Bournemouth and Palace don't commit a similar swan dive down the table with us to end up on 38 points.

I'll breathe easier if both Swansea and Hull lose this weekend and we take a point.

[Claret&Blue,Thru&]

We could easily win this AND Liverpool AND Burnley.

"easily"? When have we won easily this season? We normally require something like a great performance from the posts.

[Fishdo]

Stoke is always an odd place for us though always had good trips up there

In my ideal world I'd like to see the same team from the Everton game come out with the exception of Sakho starting this time.. I think the team have earnt that from that game and given the previous games... I think that consistency would give us more confidence and I think the understanding and organisation was there for all to see unlike a lot of previous games...

I couldnt see Stoke being able to deal with that pace and also be a threat to us... I think we would stifle their attack and there only hope would be from set plays... I also think Sakho and Lanzini would get on the score sheet against this lot currently...

I'll get my coat..

COYI !!

[OnePaulHilton]

I think this will be another 0-0 to equal the clean sheets of 2014/15 season.

[Adam 'The Smudge']

0-2 them.

[vietnammer]

0-2 them.

Home team first, so 'them' must be us, so to speak

[mumbles87]

There is every chance we could go down.

38 points is not enough.

I hope the club and the players aren't thinking the same as you.

We have been awful all season and have won once in TEN!!!

specially with our 10 point deduction for tax fraud lol

[Hugh Jargon]

Convenient draw. Suits all parties.

[Jumby]

Stoke City 0

West Ham United 1
(Quina 88)
Nordtveit s/o 90+4

A late winner from 17 year old substitute, Domingos Quina, won a scrappy game for the Hammers, who had midfielder Harvard Nordtveit sent off for a late challenge on Charlie Adam as tempers flared deep into injury time. A Shaqiri free kick and Arnautovic's follow up drew a fantastic double save from Adrian early in the first half and it was to be as close as it got for the home side as Bilic's men displayed a resilience rarely seen from them this season. It looked like both sides were going to leave with a share of the spoils until late on Quina cut inside, played a delightful one two with Lanzini before curling home from 12 yards to send the travelling supporters behind the goal wild. Stoke threw everyone forward for the final minutes but the East Londoners held on despite Nordtveits sending off for a high and late challenge on Adam. After the game a glowing Bilic said that he was proud of his players and singled out Quina, remarking that the talented Portuguese youngster has all the technical ability to go to the top, he just needs to be managed correctly.

Man Of The Match ~ Winston Reid - nothing got past him, a rock.