You are here

Mason Refereeing Is The Last Thing West Ham Need

nevillenixon's picture
Submitted by nevillenixon on Fri, 09/03/2018 - 09:11

It seems that every match preview over the last few months has hinted at 'six pointer' status, this Saturday's match (Yes that rarity of a home match on Saturday kicking off at 3pm) against Burnley is not a six pointer on account of the fact that Burnley are so much further up the table that they are realistically unreachable even at this stage of the season.
Six pointer or not the reality is this match is crucial to West Ham United, with the toxic fall out of the failed March in March added to by the already toxic atmosphere at the ironic and still sponsor less London Stadium the team are really going to have to put a shift in if they don't want the crowd on their backs.

The paradoxical nature of most football supporters is a case study, particularly those whose teams are doing badly! They want their team to do well, but find themselves shouting and screaming at their team's ineptness which of course makes the team play even worse, what can be done to alter things? Not a lot really, but fans must try to put 'other issues' aside and get behind the team because despite it's shortcomings the London Stadium can 'rock', and this Saturday it needs to rock and roll if Hammers are to get anything from Sean Dyche's well drilled team, it is possible but it needs a minor miracle.

How will David Moyes set his team up? He will more than likely park the bus in midfield in order to avoid being over run, particularly in the early stages of the match, much will depend on how many of the 'walking' wounded are available. Angelo Ogbonna's return is a massive bonus, without him the team looks toothless, he is the lynch-pin that stops the midfield from being compromised. The ginger pele that is James Collins is also available and Moyes may well bank on the Wales defenders experience and willingness to put his body on the line.

Antonio or Hernandez?
Given the importance of countering Burnley's lightening fast attack Mikael Antonio may well start to add some zip up front, but he will need to be taken off around the sixty minute mark because although he is a proper 'road runner' he just doesn't have the stamina to last the whole match and is to be seen almost breathing out his back side after most of his forward runs. In what will definitely be a physical match Antonio looks like a far better option than Hernandez who does spend a bit too much time complaining about 'assertive' tackles rather than get on with the job. Funnily enough you can see just how Chico and Ant get on when they try Betway's Esports Challenge for the first time! See on youtube

The cherry on the cake (sic) for David Moyes is that the bastion of refereeing restraint, Lee Mason will be the man in black! Fans will remember his sending off of Marko Arnoutovic in the game against Southampton which does not bode well, Mason has issued three straight reds this season and issued close on fifty yellow cards, 'Elbows' will have to be on his best behaviour but we fear this match is unlikely to remain 11 v 11 for it's entirety, and given Lady Luck's recent attention or lack of it to West Ham you can guarantee if someone is given their marching orders that it will be a home player, it's the way things have been going!

Both sets of fans wear claret and blue, hopefully the Burnley players make some school boy errors and pass to West Ham players by mistake at The London Stadium! Clutching at straws? - Ed

Share

Comments

It is really very worrying that trigger happy Mason will be in charge, Arnoutovic's natural physical game will be hampered by the fact that he and Mason have previous!

up
210 users have voted.

Next Fixture(s)