EFLCQF: Arsenal 1-0 West Ham Utd (19/12/17)

[hammer1975]

Has Hart played behind a back three for us? I personally prefer Adrian, but our recent defensive solidity has more to do with the shape of the ten guys in front than the one between the sticks imo

I think we'll lose today because we haven't got enough depth of cover for those ten guys rather than the keeper - where we've rarely been blessed with a backup as good quality as Hart.

[mboogers]

Can anyone advise on where west ham will be drinking this evening before kickoff please?
Many thanks

[davids cross]

I hope Moyes doesn't use Hart playing as an excuse to drop Adrian next match.

Seriously. ?

Do you seriously think that ......even a little bit ?

Blimey.

[ironilunga]

I personally prefer Adrian, but our recent defensive solidity has more to do with the shape of the ten guys in front than the one between the sticks.

In the case of Hart vs Adrian I am not so sure ability is the primary factor in selecting who plays. Adrian has history and rapport with both teammates and fans which I honestly feel has assisted in our recent resurgence. Adrian reminds me of Grobbelaar at Liverpool - not the greatest technician but adds so much to the team with his presence. I think the players miss Adrian when he is not in the team.

I am not so sure that Goalkeepers need to be rotated.

[prophet:marginal]

Today's Grauni:

Wenger has already confirmed Theo Walcott will return to the starting XI. He went on to justify what are expected to be several changes from the weekend, claiming the fitness of his players remains paramount. “Some players are a little bit on the edge,” he said.

“I think as well that we have so many quality players who did not start on Saturday, so you cannot say that you prefer to play a player who has played three games in six days to a guy who is at the same level and is completely fresh. The players who will start are basically all international players, so that’s why I think [squad rotation] makes sense. You have to show the trust and the confidence that we have in the players.”

[Ludeksgloves]

Does Lanzinis ban count here? I thought the ban was only in the Prem?

[Nick Sneddon]

Does Lanzinis ban count here? I thought the ban was only in the Prem?

We need to accept it before the game tonight, if we do it will count with only the Newcastle game left to play. Personally I think we should just accept it, just missing one league game I can live with

[prophet:marginal]

Does Lanzinis ban count here? I thought the ban was only in the Prem?

I think the ban is any domestic game, as opposed to continental competition.

[HarlowEssexHammer]

---------------------------------------Hart
--------------Collins------------Ogbonna-----------Rice
Zabaleta-------------------------------------------------------Masuaku
----------------------------Obiang--------Noble (c)
Arnautovic--------------------------------------------------Ayew
------------------------------------Chicharito

Subs: Adrian, Reid, Cresswell, Fernandes, Antonio, Carroll, Sakho

[DaveWHU1964]

We need to accept it before the game tonight, if we do it will count with only the Newcastle game left to play. Personally I think we should just accept it, just missing one league game I can live with

If that's the case then I don't think we should accept it before the game.

This is a quarter final of the cup and we'll be up against a less than 100% Arsenal. If we have the option of having Lanzini out there tonight he should play.

[Knighter10WHU]

Massive game this evening, looking forward to this one a lot. Strong side I think although we have to have half an eye on the fitness of some of the players given the fixture pile up and I think some fringe players deserve the chance to prove their worth. Issue I have is Zabaleta who could really do without playing 3 games in a week but yet again we are so short in that RB position, there really is little option with Byram out injured.

Hart
Reid Collins Ogbonna
Zabaleta Rice Obiang Masuaku
Ayew Arnautovic
Hernandez

Subs: Adrian, Cresswell, Kouyate, Noble, Antonio, Sakho, Carroll

[Harry Hound]

Ludeksgloves"Does Lanzinis ban count here? I thought the ban was only in the Prem?

We need to accept it before the game tonight if we do it will count with only the Newcastle game left to play. Personally I think we should just accept it, just missing one league game I can live with

I thought that we were going to contest the decision, IMHO we should contest it and we should play Lanzini tonight.

[StackerJJ]

Seems like Carroll is going to play so i'd like to see this.

----------------- Hart ------------------
--------Reid - Collins - Oggy -------
Zaba ------------------------ Masuaku
--------- Rice ----- Obiang ------------
---------------- Ayew --------------------
-------- Chicharito - Carroll ----------

My only concern is Oggy, Zaba, Obiang and Zaba deserve a rest but one will hae to play 90 minutes.

[Bramwell]

A lot of people putting 'Mr West Ham' either in their starting XI or on the bench. Is he actually fit enough to be selected?

[The Sherriff]

As per the norm for Arsenal away ...... Steak supper in Le'mercury down Upper Street early evening.

Lovely.

[nr637]

What's West Ham's allocation for this game and has it been taken up?
I think a league game is approximately based on 5% of capacity, but the league cup format is different as the crowd expectancy is lower.

Anyone

[WickfordHammer86]

It's fixtures like tonight where you would want to rotate a little bit, but we can't do much due to injuries. But balanced out by the fact that I really want to win and Arsenal will be weakened/youthful, I would go with this starting 11.

Hart

Collins
Ogbonna/Reid
Cresswell/Ogbonna

Antonio (RWB)
Masuaku (LWB)

Rice & Obiang sitting in the holding role.

Ayew attacking midfielder

Chicharito & Sakho up front.


We need to make this team (especially the 3 further forward) work as similarly to our shape and formation (and effort) of the last 4 games and we could win.

[wormley]

Police kicked us out of the Compton last year mid-afternoon - we were minding our own, no colours, no complaints from the locals (who we were talking to) and bar staff argued our case, but plod were having none of it. They were basically were just going around all the pubs/bars in the area turfing away fans out.

Would expect the same treatment in there tomorrow so will sadly swerve the place.

Shame, nice gaff and been going there every year we've played at the Emirates

Coming straight outta compton?

[Knighter10WHU]

What's West Ham's allocation for this game and has it been taken up?
I think a league game is approximately based on 5% of capacity, but the league cup format is different as the crowd expectancy is lower.

Anyone

5,000 lower tier, 2,000 upper tier. 7,000 in total.

[mushy]

Can anyone advise on where west ham will be drinking this evening before kickoff please?
Many thanks

With 7,000 odd going, its a sure fire thing that any pub within a 2 mile radius will be full of West Ham.