The understandable euphoria among fans that has accompanied Hammers rise up the Barclays Premier League table has many dreaming of the possibility of European football, and so they should. In this season of all strange seasons there is definitely a 'possibility' of reaching that much sought after next level.
European competition does however have a caveat, a wafer thin squad like West Ham currently have wouldn't last a minute up against some of Europe's best teams, against the lesser ones would be a different story. The point is Hammers have punched above their weight for much of the season, and to continue on the same lines will be difficult but not impossible.
David Moyes and his team will get their first 'taste of Europe' sooner than the beginning of the new season,because on Saturday they travel to the Etyhad to take on the only team with a better win ratio than them since the beginning of the year, Manchester City! Cue dun, dun, dun Music!
Having overcome their early season 'blip', City have brushed all aside that they have played, and will be seeing West Ham as another potential 'victim'. West Ham will NOT capitulate as they would have done in the past, however that doesn't mean there is much hope of a positive result, but the team will undoubtably give it a go.
David Moyes will adopt a pragmatic, some will say loser, attitude to the game, he won't want his team to be embarrassed, while at the same time of being mindul of the consequences of trying to play City at their own game.
Whatever happens, Declan Rice and the rest of the team will gain valuable experience, and have a chance to measure themselves against this year's champions elect. - Ed
Comments
In this match, I predict West
In this match, I predict West Ham will dominate City and thrash them 4-0 with Lingard scoring 2, Ants with a volley and Dawson Bullet header. This will then send City on a downward spiral of poor form that will see them lose all but one of their remaining matches whilst West Ham go on a further unprecedented winning streak to win the title...
The pink elephant that just
The pink elephant that just flew past my window nodded his trunk in agreement, what an acknowledgement!
This will be a massive test
This will be a massive test for us. I will watch and enjoy the game as I have absolutely no expectations, naturally I am looking for a shock and modestly best I will expect is a draw... lets see!
Im wondering which approach
Im wondering which approach Moyes will take ,same as the bin dippers ? Or slightly less cautious, I think he wont even bother playing Mick not much point ,the game will be played entirely in our half with execption of the odd expedition into their territory ,thats if we remember to bring the compass ,a draw hear would be a tremendous result ,but can you imagine if we sneaked the odd goal and won it .
Im thinking 2 - 0 and he would be happy
i think
play mick and give it a go and if we fall 2 nil behind then shut up shop and try to hit them on the brake nothing to lose and all to gain
You get the feeling their all
You get the feeling their all ( match anylists)surprised with how we are doin ,even complementary, but a win on saturday would cement our status as serious contenders and would do our reputation no harm at all
I expect this game will be
I expect this game will be very similar to the Spurs game in the second half with a lot of defending and perhaps not so much counter attacking as we had against Spurs but chances we will get. David Moyes played this way against City earlier in the season and we drew 1-1.
They would only have had two and a bit days rest this time playing in Europe today and I am hoping we get a result, draw perhaps but a win is not beyond us this time.