In these strange pandemic times, even the word positive has taken on negative connotations, but the 'positve' news emerging from the West Ham medical team, all of whom now have a family member 'held' in comfortable surroundings while David Moyes carries out his 'mole hunt', is that Michail Antonio will be fit to take part in Sunday's Barclays Premier League fixture against 'struggling' Sheffield United.
Whether the Hammers boss elects to start 'Big Mick', or if he decides to 'deploy' the scourge of defenders from the bench, will be determined by a fitness test later today at the Rush Green encampment that passes itself off as a training ground.
Conventional wisdom would dictate 'easing' Antonio back in to the starting line up, but he is such a massive influence and is in such a rich vein of form that Moyes may feel compelled to start with him and possibly sub him off early doors of the second half.
The logic being that while The Blades have only acquired one point thus far, they are exactly the sort of team that would invariably 'do' West Ham in the past! The fixture up at Brammal Lane is an accident waiting to happen, a bannana skin or whatever label you care to give it, this game will prove if Hammers 'soft centre' has hardened and if the team have lost their 'flakiness', the term used by David Moyes when evaluating Hammers teams of the past.
Moyes hopes to break the cycle of 'win or perform well' against the top teams, followed by embarrasing defeats or performances against less fancied oppostion who are usually occupying one of the League's basement positions. Time and again in the past this has happened, and if nothing else it would be wonderful to NOT hear the commentators banging on about how many points West Ham have conceeded from winning positions, especially from the odious Alan (I resent everyone) Smith!
This weekend's game will be a real test both physically and mentally, but if Moyes' men can return with the points it would surely be the beginning of something good, as opposed to the end of something special. Ed
Comments
The Beast is back! Use him
The Beast is back! Use him sparingly, on the bench and bring for 20 mins only if we are not winning. This is a fixture we should nail and the same tactic against Leeds.
Villa is different. Set up to man mark Jack Grealish... the boy is class and is on a role! I will get pelters for saying his but... the man for the job is the experience of Mark Noble to stuff him out.
I agree with using the beast
I agree with using the beast sparingly .But Noble should be nowhere near the team.The opposition walk past Noble.You might as well play with ten men !
Unfortunatley, Marky, bt his
Unfortunatley, Marky, bt his own admission isn't really 'up for it' anymore, that isn't to say he doesn't bleed Calret and Blue, but he would be a liability conceeding free kicks due to his lack of pace or getting carded, his 'sweep' smile that got him reprieves for years from past referees won't work anymore, he has been a loyal servant but the pace and guille of Soucek and Rice go to show just how far the game has progressed, for better or worse!
Or put Authur on him, he has
Or put Authur on him, he has the pace to deal with him, whereas I am afraid 'Marky' would have to resort to fouling him.
That is a cracking idea Ed!
That is a cracking idea Ed!
Nev Nev Nev
Why oh why did you put "struggling" Sheff utd you no thats cursed us i mean what true Hammers fan here thinks yeah they are at the bottom we can do them and make a move up the table....when in truth we all know this is how we divine our club by shite results against teams we should be beating....they have had like us a very tough run of fixtures and have not had much luck in those matches so i am HOPING that the lads and Moyes new found don't fall apart attitude continues this weekend....bit negative of me i admit but well its just the West Ham i am used to not this new West Ham with a backbone and never say dies attitude COYI lets nail the Blunts firmly to the bottom of the table
Ah you see, you missed the
Ah you see, you missed the inverted commas..it's my years as a Journo!
Bring him on for the second
Bring him on for the second half,dont start him,or basically,hold out for as long as possible,or if we start to struggle,if we are on top of the game let him rest another week.