West Ham playing European football under the lights in an advanced stage of a proper competition is a sight that has never been witnessed since the club moved from the Boleyn Ground, just seeing the European competitions on TV whets the appetite for the main fayre that will be on offer, OK it's not the Champions League, but it'll do for now!
As the clock ticks down to the visit of Rapid Vienna, there is much speculation as to the team that David Moyes picks and how strong the bench is going to be. It was Michail Antonio who broke the deadlock against Dinamo Zagreb, originally it was planned that he would sit the match out, but his red card against Southampton meant that he was available for the fixture as he had not been eligible to play in the preceding league game against Manchester United.
Moyes won't want to risk losing the momentum the team has while at the same time ensuring he doesn't overtax his 1st team players, to that purpose he may well elect to have Michail Antonio on the bench as a safety measure, just in case the evening isn't going to plan. As it is a home game, the lack of travel involved should mean that Antonio and others can be in attendance without any undue strain or effort, hopefully none of the regulars will need to play!
Areola is 'nailed on' to start, as is Dawson, Diop, Johnson, Kral, Lanzini, Noble, Vlasic and Yarmolenko, as to the others? Authur Masuaku will probably be selected to start if he is passed fit, leaving one more player which will most likely be one of either Said Benrahma or Jarrod Bowen.
Moyes can still have the likes of Michail Antonio, Declan Rice, Tomas Soucek and Pablo Fornals on the bench, a pretty formidable line up! The manager will NOT underestimate Thursday evening's visitors, nor discount the 'Stadium effect' that occurs the first time teams encounter the vast expanses of the pitch in Stratford.
It should be a well attended game, although for those without tickets or unable or unwilling to watch the game in person, it is being broadcast on BT sport. Moyes must use more or less the same 'Rotisserie' of players he used to defeat Manchester United at Old Trafford on 'revenge day". - Ed
Comments
Yarmolenko, a no from me....
May as well play with 10 men for what he contributes...now I've said that he'll play a blinder and score a hat-trick...yeah right, more chance of getting laid in a convent !
Same goes for Masuaku. never been a fan, finds the by line then puts it out for a goal kick or runs into dead ends. Europe a maybe but EPL, no thanks.
Am I the only one thinking this way...ah well...COYI x
It's a question of 'needs
It's a question of 'needs must', the squad is ridiculousy thin! IF he can, I hope Moyes DOES play Yarmo....make him earn his insane wages...run him into the ground!
At least we don't have to
At least we don't have to travel into Europe this week, with flying and all the shizzle that goes with that. Midweek home European action again who'd have thought it?!!