This evening West Ham United have the opportunity of 'putting to bed' their qualification for the final group stage of the UEFA Conference League Cup, more commonly referred ro as the Con Cup by those within the football industry. Whether it has a joke name nor indeed whether it is a 'real' barometer of how a club is doing it is what it is and as such represents a route through to next season's Europa League as well as giving fans the chance to 'do Europe', albeit in a slightly Busman's holiday setting.
The much maligned competition also gives manager David Moyes the chance to 'fully' utilise the squad available to him which this season is vastly superior to last season's, on paper! Of course the game is NOT played on paper and it has taken an uncomfortable amount of time for the new signings to make their mark, but make it they will despite the injury to the 'key' defender signed that has seen him not play at all, Aguerd's injury was a major set back given the situation of both Dawson and Ogbonna at the beginning of the season.
Anderlecht are no mugs and will be smarting from last week's result on their home patch, realistically they have nothing to lose and as such will undoubtedly be naming the kitchen sink in their starting line up! However IF they go hell for leather they will be playing into 'Telegraph Dave's' counter attack trap, it is as old as the hills but it generally works, especially in competitions that are not decided on the night.
Moyes will go strong despite the impending ridiculously contested fixture schedule his team faces during the remainder of this month, Flynn Downes HAS to start and IF Big Mikey still has a cold or the Flu then one of the Youth or U-23's should be brought in instead of just 'tiring' out the ' Smiling Inkman' that is Gianluca Scamacca. Kurt Zouma looks as if he has been carrying a 'niggle' for the entire season and could do with a break, hopefully the Og can step up, as he did last week and be the calming influence the defence will need if it is to lock out the Belgians.
Anderlecht are a team bursting with talented youngsters, if they can nick a goal or two they could present formidable opposition, if however they go behind in front of a packed Queen Elizabeth Stadium then they could let their heads down and be on the receiving end of a real tonking! - Ed
Comments
Trophy is a trophy. Big names
Trophy is a trophy. Big names in this comp. Let's enjoy it and bring the trophy home.
In it to win it
Lets win the game tonight then thats the group all but sorted then Moyes can rest senior players and and give some of the younger ones a chance.
Downes has to start and for me should of started against Fulham but thats Moyes for ya.....but i think the starting line up will be pretty much the one that began last weeks match except for poor Antonio who must of got a cold sitting on the bench at the weekend.
I agree. Downes must start &
I agree. Downes must start & I would give Ashby a run.
1976
Given tonight's opponents got me thinking of Brussels 76, I was just 16 and was allowed to the game with my best mate, not sure that would be possible today!
Was anyone else there?
Pat Holland put West Ham into the lead and then Frank Lampard misjudged a back pass, allowing them to score. Rob Rensenbrink and van der Elst ran us ragged or so it felt.
I think there was great deal of speculation that Frank senior was paid by Belvue the brewery that sponsored Anderlect ... who knows :o)
Lets hope for a better outcome besides, most players could probably buy the said brewery today!