West Ham Utd 3 Liverpool 1 (27/02/11)

[Tristan Shout]

This looks good, and I see that everyone in here wants Da Costa for this match. He is of course a good player, but haven't any of you been a bit scared from some of his choises in the matches he has played in 2011? All of a sudden in some quite easy situations he has lost control when trying to hold on to the ball where it would have been much safer to pass the ball.
And hey, what happened to Noble in this line up?

He can come on when Hitz gets injured and out for the rest of the season, you know its the west ham way, as soon as we get a decent looking player he gets a long term injury then comes back for a game then is out for the rest of the season

[Hambrosia Stu]

You'd find room for LBM but not Hitz???!!!

Yes, but not because I think LBM is the better player.

I was impressed with Hitz last night. But despite that, I did think he was a tad off the pace, and didn't show much in the way of understanding how to fit in and how to get the best out of those around him.

Sure, we do need to bed Hitz into the side, and as quickly as is sensible. I can't imagine it will take too long, for a player of his ability & experience.
But I can't help feeling that starting him against Liverpool is a bit too much like in at the deep end.
There also the fitness issue. We saw how Keane suffered after 2 games on the trot after a long time not playing, so I would err on the side of caution, in terms of getting Hitz up to speed
As I said, I'd be inclined to start the game with a solid line up. LBM seems to the best option, in terms of helping out his FB and knowing the system & the players around him.

I'd be inclined to only give LBM an hour, then switch him for Hitz or Obinna (if fit)

[Hammer110]

The only spectre I'm worried about is that Andy Carroll is back in training apparently.......

Our centre backs worry me, especially against a big bullying CF like him.

If we let the scousers get their crosses in I fear for us......

Only non contact training so with luck unlikely to be ready to face us.

[Bobby Orangeboom]

Green

Jacobsen
Bridge
Tomkins
Da Costa ( if fit, Reid if not, i would have said Kovac if he had been given minutes last nigth but he wasn't so cannot be trusted to fit into this Game )

Noble
Hitz
Parker

Obinna
Ba
Piq

[roblo]

As tempted as I would be to go with Obina, I really see this as a game for O'Neil. Play him in Sears' role last night, but a little deeper. Carry on with Ba & Cole in more advanced roles. I'd also be tempted to stick with Reid, if there is any doubt over Da Costa's fitness.

[Hatcham Iron]

feet back on the ground time great result last night but liverpool will be a different proposition. if we give them the room as we did burnley in the first spell of the first half last night liverpool unlike burnley will punish us big time.to get anything from this game we need to tighten up and play as a unit.

[AJ]

A good manager headache in regards as to who to play for this match

Defensively its Green, Jacobsen, Bridge, Tomkins, then either Da Costa or Reid or Gabbidon (if fit?)

Midfield and Forward positions even more choice to choose from, you would say first name down would be Parker, after that everyone is fighting for position from the following:

Noble
Spector
Hitz
O'neil
Obinna
Boa Morte
Ba
Sears
Piq
Cole

Looking round the corner you also have Keane and Collison coming back

[Dyer's Leg]

It's going to happen. Everything is going to click together, and we ain't going to beat them, we are going to play them off the park and smash them by 3 clear goals. Every club has had one freak result in terms of a win. This week, it's our turn.

****ing chaaaaaarrerrrrrrrrrggggggggggeeeeeeeeeeeee!

[wayneo1974]

It's going to happen. Everything is going to click together, and we ain't going to beat them, we are going to play them off the park and smash them by 3 clear goals. Every club has had one freak result in terms of a win. This week, it's our turn.

f***ing chaaaaaarrerrrrrrrrrggggggggggeeeeeeeeeeeee!

Bit early for the alcopops DL

[Dyer's Leg]

I'm totally straight Wayne But seriously, who couldn't it happen? There is no reason why it can't. It's been a topsy turvey season as it is with some of the results with the other clubs. Why can't we be on the winning end of one? It's not as if we haven't got goals in us now.

[mental hamster666]

i always get way too confident after a good win,then we end up getting completely arsefucked live on tv!

[kthammer]

I'm totally straight Wayne But seriously, who couldn't it happen? There is no reason why it can't. It's been a topsy turvey season as it is with some of the results with the other clubs. Why can't we be on the winning end of one? It's not as if we haven't got goals in us now.

It can't happen because we've not looked like beating any of the top teams this year. Put the Carling Cup game v Man U to one side. Liverpool will be organised, motivated and will play a strong physical game combined with passing possession. We will make mistakes and the difference is that they won't make more than one. I am hoping to keep the score down. There is chance that we will nick a draw like Wigan did. But let's be honest. This is Liverpool. They beat us...
As you can see, I am desperately trying to lower expectations after last night. Remember, Burnley had the best of the first 23 minutes last night, and probably won the first half. You think Liverpool haven't noticed that we have no width up front and a fragile central defence?

[FrankieMacsPerm]

Liverpool are there for the taking, the result at a poor Chelsea the other week seems to have them thinking they are back and will power into the top four. The Wigan result showed they are still vulnerable, if Carroll is fit I reckon he'll be on the bench as he has been out a while. Suarez is a worry though!!!

Come on West Ham!!!!

[hammerjohn]

I just want us to do them over,

I don't care if we forfeit our pretty football, let's just beat them for once.

[e17]

3-2 win to us. 1 for CC, 2 for Ba. Performance of the season. We'll be 1 down at half time, make it 1-1, 2-1 to bin dippers, & then 10 minutes of utter madness.

No idea why, as I'm a pessimistic sod usually, but something says "unexpected win" about this one to me. Probably the fact that it's going to be the 1st home game I aint seen (one way or the other) all season.

3-2. With Kenny outdoing Grant for LOL faces.

[Dyer's Leg]

It can't happen because we've not looked like beating any of the top teams this year. Put the Carling Cup game v Man U to one side. Liverpool will be organised, motivated and will play a strong physical game combined with passing possession. We will make mistakes and the difference is that they won't make more than one. I am hoping to keep the score down. There is chance that we will nick a draw like Wigan did. But let's be honest. This is Liverpool. They beat us...
As you can see, I am desperately trying to lower expectations after last night. Remember, Burnley had the best of the first 23 minutes last night, and probably won the first half. You think Liverpool haven't noticed that we have no width up front and a fragile central defence?

There is always one who has to be negative and start analysing. Do me a favour and go back to your own negative world, and leave me in my positive vibe bubble, and don't **** up my buzz

[wayneo1974]

I'm totally straight Wayne But seriously, who couldn't it happen? There is no reason why it can't. It's been a topsy turvey season as it is with some of the results with the other clubs. Why can't we be on the winning end of one? It's not as if we haven't got goals in us now.

Bless you DL, I love your enthusiasm. Technically Liverpool are made for us as far as the big clubs go. Poor up front. No natural width. Obinna could tear Johnson a new ****hole on his day. We have goals in us as you say. And maybe with the return of Hitz in addition to Parker and Noble we could compete in midfield.



However, i look forward to the grumpy DL ready to pouncing on some poor unsuspecting bonehead on the match thread after another pool defeat.

[Dyer's Leg]

However, i look forward to the grumpy DL ready to pouncing on some poor unsuspecting bonehead on the match thread after another pool defeat.

Yeah, like I'd do that. Tut, I ask you.

[Philosophical Dan]

I hate Liverpool.

[theflafson]

Liverpool have a Europa League game on Thursday so hopefully they will be tired.
They finished 0-0 in their first leg match so they must win this one if they want to progress, so this is our chance.