West Ham vs Saints - Build-up

[The Cat]

Villa kept Ings relatively quiet. Still lost.

[SKD]

No because that requires compromise to your preferred game plan in order to compensate for a particular player. In all likelihood it will create opportunities for other players as Saturday basically proved. If Villa did one thing right it was keep Ings fairly quiet, at the expense of Long, Djenepo and Armstrong having a turkey shoot.

 

So did we compromise our game plan when we stuck 2 men on Grealish Saturday or Zaha when we played palace? As for the turkey shoot, 28 shots, 2 goals (1 of which was a open goal in the last minute). I bet teams across the globe are shaking in their boots at that conversion rate.

 

Which goes back to my original point, if the rest of the team are only scoring once every 1.5-2 games, then you can afford to adapt your game plan to single out their best player.

[Lighthouse]

So did we compromise our game plan when we stuck 2 men on Grealish Saturday or Zaha when we played palace? As for the turkey shoot, 28 shots, 2 goals (1 of which was a open goal in the last minute). I bet teams across the globe are shaking in their boots at that conversion rate.

 

Which goes back to my original point, if the rest of the team are only scoring once every 1.5-2 games, then you can afford to adapt your game plan to single out their best player.

 

To an extent. Thankfully the rest of our team is better without Ings than Palace are without Zaha or Villa without Grealish.

[John Boy Saint]

Anthony Taylor on the whistle for this one - another one like Pawson last Saturday who can change with the weather (which looks windy, wet, and cold by the way) - Stuart Attwell will be taking his life in his hands, minding the van full of TV’s outside the stadium in an east London car park.

Although VAR is increasingly making the Man in the van and his Assistant almost more important that the Ref running about on the grass.

[Saint Fan CaM]

Wetsham - bogey team. Away form may help. We don’t do draws so much. 2-1 to either side.

[Highfield Saint]

So did we compromise our game plan when we stuck 2 men on Grealish Saturday or Zaha when we played palace? As for the turkey shoot, 28 shots, 2 goals (1 of which was a open goal in the last minute). I bet teams across the globe are shaking in their boots at that conversion rate.

 

Which goes back to my original point, if the rest of the team are only scoring once every 1.5-2 games, then you can afford to adapt your game plan to single out their best player.

 

Since Jan 1st we've scored 15 goals. 4 of them by Ings

[tajjuk]

So did we compromise our game plan when we stuck 2 men on Grealish Saturday or Zaha when we played palace? As for the turkey shoot, 28 shots, 2 goals (1 of which was a open goal in the last minute). I bet teams across the globe are shaking in their boots at that conversion rate.

 

Which goes back to my original point, if the rest of the team are only scoring once every 1.5-2 games, then you can afford to adapt your game plan to single out their best player.

 

Part of that failure to convert chances was down to Ings, he had several good chances, including a 1v1 that he should have scored but tried to put it through Reina's legs.

 

So Villa tried to stifle Ings, didn't do that very well and still lost, giving away several chances to other players as well.

 

So teams can try to stifle Ings, which is not easy in itself because he is a very busy player who is always on the move and will like to be close to his markers anyway to pay of their shoulder or harry them, but if that opens up space for others we have other players capable of scoring goals.

 

Especially if you are marking one of the furthest forward players, if for example they put a DM and DC on Ings to double mark him, that will create space around the edge of the box and the likes of Armstrong and JWP have shown they can finish from 20 yards if given chances.

 

Also its a bit different trying to shut down a team creative outlet (i.e Grealish) than it is to trying to shut down a striker (i.e Ings) because the creative players need the space and time to create, Ings just needs a sniff of an opportunity, and as I said I don't think he particularly cares if people mark him closely because a lot of his game is about harrying defenders and forcing mistakes, so if those defenders are close to him, he is close to them if they get the ball, and he likes to spin in behind or turn people with quick feet, which if the defender is too close is easier to do.

[notnowcato]

Shhhhh or everyone will try to stop Ings scoring..

[igsey]

Just seen Djenepo's mother has sadly passed away, he won't be available for the next few games.

[trousers]

Pre-Match Press Conference....

 

RH: "KWP is back in contention. Redmond out for another month, should be back after international break"

 

Journo asked about Djenepo. Ralph started to answer: "Because of his mum? Not sure...." and then they cut the video off mid-sentence.....

Edited 27 February, 2020 by trousers

[saint97]

Ralph said he's not sure on Djenepo for the weekend. Be a huge miss imo

[Baird of the land]

Hopefully Boufal is back available if Djenepo isn't.

[Matthew Le God]

Hopefully Boufal is back available if Djenepo isn't.

 

Boufal was in the squad vs Aston Villa last week

[Saint Garrett]

Hopefully Djenepo will want to play. Lets see...RIP Mrs Djenepo.

[verlaine1979]

Didn't Antonio play down the middle against us last time, or was that just where he ended up on the counter? Either way, on the basis that he absolutely bullied our CBs in the previous game, surely they'll just tell him to do the same again.

[saints-cris]

Didn't Antonio play down the middle against us last time, or was that just where he ended up on the counter? Either way, on the basis that he absolutely bullied our CBs in the previous game, surely they'll just tell him to do the same again.

 

They played him and Haller up top together, and you're right, they bullied us.

 

I suspect he'll play Antonio up by himself tomorrow, possibly Haller with Antonio on the wing. No way will Moyes play only 2 in CM.

[Saint Garrett]

It would be a ridiculous decision from Moyes to not play Haller and Antonio upfront together tomorrow. I'm thinking they might go all out attack, and match us up with a front 4, Anderson and Snodgrass as inside forwards.

[Shroppie]

It would be a ridiculous decision from Moyes to not play Haller and Antonio upfront together tomorrow. I'm thinking they might go all out attack, and match us up with a front 4, Anderson and Snodgrass as inside forwards.

If so, we need a back four of JWP Stephens Bednarek Bertrand.

 

Possibly with Romeu instead of Smallbone for this one.

 

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[igsey]

They played him and Haller up top together, and you're right, they bullied us.

 

I suspect he'll play Antonio up by himself tomorrow, possibly Haller with Antonio on the wing. No way will Moyes play only 2 in CM.

 

I agree with this, though expecting Haller up top and Antonio ineffectively on the wing. Moyes is not Pellegrini, he'll not want to risk losing with an attacking formation.

[kjurwi]

What would you think about playing Long at a wing?

 

Go Armstrong JWP Höjbjerg Long as a midfield 4.

 

Boufal should of course start this game if Djenepo can't but would you consider Long as a LW/RW?

[egg]

What would you think about playing Long at a wing?

 

Go Armstrong JWP Höjbjerg Long as a midfield 4.

 

Boufal should of course start this game if Djenepo can't but would you consider Long as a LW/RW?

 

Not for me. Long's running makes so much space for Ings and pushing him out wide reduces Ings threat.

[Matthew Le God]

Could be worth playing Long slightly left, Armstrong right and play JWP, Smallbone and Hojbjerg in the middle.

 

We wouldn't get overrun, might control it better. I never know whether we should start Boufal or not, seems like the sort of game that might pass him by. Will be lacking a bit of creativity but think if we press enough they'll make mistakes anyway, plus set pieces will be a threat.

 

I'd rather we stick to the formation that is working.

[kjurwi]

I'd rather we stick to the formation that is working.

Would you consider playing Long as a LM/RM in a 4-2-2-2 If both Boufal and Djenepo is out? If not who else?

 

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[Matthew Le God]

Would you consider playing Long as a LM/RM in a 4-2-2-2 If both Boufal and Djenepo is out? If not who else?

 

Boufal was in the squad vs Aston Villa and has been training this week. He isn't injured.

[kjurwi]

Boufal was in the squad vs Aston Villa and has been training this week. He isn't injured.

I know. Was asking hypothetically.

 

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[SNSUN]

Would you consider playing Long as a LM/RM in a 4-2-2-2 If both Boufal and Djenepo is out? If not who else?

 

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If hypothetically Boufal, Djenepo and Redmond were all out, we’d still have a couple of options besides Armstrong to play in attacking midfield, excluding youngsters. There’s JWP, who used to play further forward on occasion in Pochettino’s system (assuming he’s not needed at right back), and Che Adams can also play as a winger as he did on occasion for Brum. But Boufal is fit so expect him to start.

[Mattio]

Does anyone know if the bars in Westfield are alright for away fans? I went the first season we played them there but can't remember the situation

[Forester]

Random question....how many times have we ever played on Feb 29th? Can’t be many

[Heisenberg]

Boufal was in the squad vs Aston Villa and has been training this week. He isn't injured.

 

But is he match fit?

[Saint_Tony]

In a way there's no real pressure on us. Going to take the old clichéd stance of whoever scores first, wins.

West Ham 3-1 Saints (Antonio 17, Noble pen 42, Snodgrass 63, Stephens 88)

 

West Ham 0-3 Saints (Ings 19, 32, Armstrong 76)

 

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[Tamesaint]

Unfortunately I cannot make the game today but will be listening on BBC 5 Live as it is their commentary match.

 

I wonder how soon into the commentary will they mention the 9 nil. Will it be before or after kick off?

[Wilf]

Going to take the old clichéd stance of whoever scores first, wins.

 

My Hammers supporting mate reckons they've dropped 22 points from winning positions this season.

[SNSUN]

Stat of the day as I blindly search through Transfermrkt: Shane Long has played against West Ham 8 times and Danny Ings 7 times, and neither has yet scored against them.

 

Good time to break a duck.

 

I can only assume the line up with be:

 

McCarthy, KWP, Stephens, Bednarek, Bertrand, JWP, Hojbjerg, Armstrong, Boufal, Ings, Long. (Subs: Gunn, Valery, Vestergaard, Romeu, Smallbone, Adams, Obafemi.)

 

West Ham fans on KUMB oddly confident about this game, saying we have nothing to play for. We’re 7 points off 5th. We have everything to play for, especially if City go tits up. Thankfully even in games we’ve lost this year, we’ve played well, so I expect Hasenhüttl to keep the team focussed. Redmond and Djenepo are losses (if Djenepo is out) but in Armstrong and Boufal we still have creativity.

 

I’d take a draw but this team post-9nil is good enough to win.

[macca155]

"Possibly with Romeu instead of Smallbone for this one.'

 

Big mistake IMO. Whilst I hold Romeu in the highest regard as a pro, he just seems of the pace at the moment.

 

Quicker to the foul than the ball these days. Smallbone made a big impact, start with him with Romeu to come on when his legs tire.

 

I would also play Dansu or Stephen's at right back, as we need to counteract their bullying style.

 

 

 

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[eelpie]

In a way there's no real pressure on us. Going to take the old clichéd stance of whoever scores first, wins.

West Ham 3-1 Saints (Antonio 17, Noble pen 42, Snodgrass 63, Stephens 88)

 

West Ham 0-3 Saints (Ings 19, 32, Armstrong 76)

 

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My heart agrees with you but we need at least a draw to maintain our head above Palace or Brighton. So I'm going for 1-2 for Saints

[stknowle]

"Possibly with Romeu instead of Smallbone for this one.'

 

Big mistake IMO. Whilst I hold Romeu in the highest regard as a pro, he just seems of the pace at the moment.

 

Quicker to the foul than the ball these days. Smallbone made a big impact, start with him with Romeu to come on when his legs tire.

 

I would also play Dansu or Stephen's at right back, as we need to counteract their bullying style.

 

 

 

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Danso at right back didn’t work out too fantastically last time we tried it. Think we should give that a swerve.

[Red]

Will be a tough one for us - easiest fixture in a difficult run for Wet Spam and at home. Still I think we might manage a draw which I'm happy with.

[beatlesaint]

Will be a tough one for us - easiest fixture in a difficult run for Wet Spam and at home. Still I think we might manage a draw which I'm happy with.

 

yeah, a draw is no good to them but a decent point for us.

[Colinjb]

Ings on the bench.

[saint77]

Ings on the bench.

 

Very strange even more strange obafemi in before Adams

[Saint_clark]

Very strange even more strange obafemi in before Adams

Pace against their defence with the turning circle of an oil tanker?

 

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[Dusic]

Ings must have had a knock. Wasnt in the most recent training pics.

[DT]

Very strange even more strange obafemi in before Adams

 

Ridiculous.

 

 

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[SNSUN]

Resting Ings? Odd decision. Need a performance from Obafemi then.

[Shroppie]

Ings must have had a knock. Wasnt in the most recent training pics.

Can only think it's this.

 

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[saint77]

Can only think it's this.

 

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Apparently only trained friday for first time this week

[Lighthouse]

Happy with that team. Didn’t we win at Chelsea starting Baffers and Adams?

[Lets B Avenue]

Random question....how many times have we ever played on Feb 29th? Can’t be many

 

On a Saturday? Every 28 years.

[SNSUN]

Their team looks decent on paper today. Absolutely would take a point if offered now.

[egg]

Odd line up. Don't fancy Smallbone's chances in midfield today, Noble will bully him. Would prefer JWP in there and one of the RB's at RB. And as for Ings on the bench.