It appears that Hammers boss, David Moyes' 'mole hunting', is beginning to pay dividends as for once there is only speculation regarding players' fitness issues, as opposed to info straight from the horses mouth as it had been. You may wonder what the problem is? The 'problem' is not whether information should be in the public domain, that is often inevitable, but it is how it gets there and it's full extent of disclosure of what can be very sensitive information, not just because of alerting other teams ahead of games as to which personel will be used, but also for the players themselves.
Some details should remain private and confidential, the medical for Said Benrahma being a case in point, the 'issue' that showed up during the medical was enough to make what was supposed to be a pernament deal in to a loan to buy deal. Players, despite being paid exhorbitantly well for their services, are after all still very human, those who suffer repeated injuries dread the press comments almost as much as the injury itself!
Moyes' bruised and battered under strength squad have just three days to recover ahead of the trip to Stamford Bridge on monday evening, doubts surrounding the fitness of Aaron Creswell, Jarrod Bowen and Fabian Balbuena in addition to those of Michail Antonio and Authur Masuaku, will have many fans fearful of the outcome of Monday's London Derby against a very, very good, Chelsea team.
In the past Hammers have become somewhat of a bogey team for Chelsea, much will depend on whether the Irons newly efficient medical team can work their wonders during the next 'woodstock' period, Ben Johnson must surely be added to the match day squad as back up, and perhaps one or two of the U-23's might be drafted in.
If a decent starting line up can be configured then who knows? Reverting to three at the back is a must, because in the last two games the once solid defence has looked incredibly porous, more of that and Monday night's game might be a 'Stamford Bridge' too far! - Ed
Comments
ah, a bridge too far... surely that's on over the festivities?
It's very boring though isn't it, all this in house efficiency, keeping Mum, following correct process. One longs for a Sully gaff or a Gold TalkSport phone call to remind us he was born in Green St.
As for Chelski, I think that's a game too far even at full strength. I hope I'm wrong, but they are all wrong for us in terms of movement and pace. A back 3 is a must, but so is an outlet, so unless Haller finds his inner Hulk, I think it's a tough evening and hoping for a reinforcement in January. I've heard Kings are popular this time of year?
I dont fear Chelski
At all!lost their last 2,we will be underdogs for a change (after the dizzy heights of late!) Bring it on
I hope you are right chief!
We have been good away from home, but the injuries are building and the squad depth is usually a real leveller.
Here we go again!
Why do WE always seem to get blighted by injuries more than most??
Christmas (haha!) is going to be bad enough!
Lanzini out
See that Manu has let the cat out of the bag and told his gaming friend that he has tweaked a hamstring and won't be available for tonight, bit of a shame really as the squad seems to be pretty tight-lipped at the moment about the team tonight, love to see Antonio on the bench. Just hope the Club are as quiet about the players they are after in the January window but there will always be rumours though