Hammers fans who followed the 'massive' injury boost links will be slightly underwhelmed when they read that one part of the 'massive injury boost' is that Mark Noble will be available for selection, again. We know criticising 'captain Mark' is akin to stamping on a puppy, but the stats for when he has appeared are damning.
Just as a slow Sebastien Haller affected the rest of the team, so does 'Marky's' now very obvious lack of pace, which is such a pity because no one can deny what an inspiration he has been for all the years he has been a fine servant for West Ham through thick and thin, normally the latter!
Noble's injury meant that Manu Lanzini and Said Benrahma were able to start the game against Burnley, a game in which Hammers' high energy blew the opposition away, and although profligate in front of goal the team did still manage an astonishing 22 attempts on goal.
Ahead of the vital game against Everton, with rumours that prodigal son Declan Rice may be fit enough at least to be in the squad, a certain section of fans were already debating who would David Moyes drop in order to facilitate 'Dec's' return, the suggestion being "why change a winning formula?"
'Adapting' the team to incorporate Declan Rice is one thing, but to 'mess' with the formula in order to bring back Captain Mark seems rather foolish, playing safe has cost the club points recently, and as there are so few games remaining David Moyes MUST maintain the energy levels of his team, this quality will be more than put to the test by the visitors who need to win the match to have any hope of European competition next season.
A win for Moyes's boys will keep alive the slim hope of Champions league qualification, defeat will condemn the club to the Europa League, or worse! David Moyes provided a master class in pre-match deception ahead of the Burnley game by not even mentioning Michail Antonio's return, consequently the Burnley defenders hadn't 'prepared' themselves properly in order to cope with 'the beasts' physicality.
Bringing on Mark Noble for the closing 15 minutes of a game makes sense, but starting him doesn't, being a 'nice guy' shouldn't be the pre-requisite of a player, it helps, but what the player does on the pitch matters much more. Hammers are so achingly close to greatness, it would be such a pity to go out with a whimper, fans won't mind if the team gives it a go but falls at the last furlong, so long as they give it a go!
Whatever the team's final placing is, fans will definitely appreciate the astounding achievement of David Moyes, his staff, and the players who have turned the club from relegation survivors in to Champions League contenders. - Ed
Comments
Great thread Nev
Stick with the same side imo
If Rice is fit he has to come
If Rice is fit he has to come back in alongside Soucek. I'm guessing out will go Benny and Fornals will revert to his favoured position further forward.
Would The Moyessaih really be
Would The Moyessaih really be so stupid as to change a winning formula?
I hope not Dartford,but i bet
I hope not Dartford,but i bet he will.
Nothing would surprise us
Nothing would surprise us buddy!
Its a biit of a quaundry isnt
Its a biit of a quaundry isnt it in my opinion it gota be Fornals ,Moyes keeps talkin about Bennys decision-making and how hes got to tighten it up but i would sudjest its the Spaniard who needs to come to terms with his decisions ,just think its him to go and not Benny
Fourcandles
Has really improved imo,yes his finishing leaves a lot to be desired but the bloke works tirelessly all game
Finishing fifth could also
Finishing fifth could also mean that West Ham will qualify for the Champions League, now that Chelsea have ensured that an EPL team will win that title. A must win against Everton will mean that West Ham will will be up there challenging maybe for the third spot if Chelsea and Leicester are distracted by their oncoming finals in the FA Cup as well as the ECL for Chelsea. Man City will want to prove a point when they meet Chelsea, as they will want to be awarded the EPL title in style.
Yes retain Benny as he has that certain creativity that was a bit void in the squad, whereas Lanzini has once again proven that he is here to stay and to fight for is spot in the starting lineup. Fornals does put in a shift and might have scored if Antonio did not put on his defender's hat and blocked that goal bound shot. Not Antonio's fault though. On the basis of the display against Burnley, if Rice is available then he should take Lingard's place in the lineup, and reorganize so that Lanzini moves into Lingard's position. I think that Lingard should be brought on as an early sub if this system is not working according to plan.
I'm not sure thats true
I'm not sure thats true Toronto, I think EUFA put a stop to that with a limit on the number of clubs from one country being 4. I think just the opposite could happen, we could finish 4th and not qualify for the CL if Arsenal win the EUFA league. Would that just be typical West Ham!!!