Forum | General Discussion

Hindsight is a wonderful but one sided thing, with the benefit of hindsight Aaron Cresswell would never have become the repeat offender that he has ended up, following yet another straight red in a European Cup tie, only this time it has cost the club dear, very dear.

All the club and it's fans hopes and aspirations for the ENTIRE season evaporated with Cresswell's moment of panic, it would have been better if he had just let the forward through and given Areola a chance to make a save, even if a goal had been scored it would still have left the team with an uphill struggle for sure, but at least there would have been 11 v 11 on the pitch, playing with only 10 men for three quarters of the match was always going to be mission impossible, and so it proved.

What a dismal way to finish what had been a glorious European campaign, the paucity of the squad didn't help matters any, but individual mistakes came back to haunt what was a brave attempt but ultimate failure. Cresswell hung his head in shame as he left the field as he tried to avoid David Moyes's acerbic look, the manager knew there and then that the game was effectively over and that the team were only going to be able to avoid a crushing defeat as opposed to having any chance of wining the tie especially as Frankfurt were able to go in 1-0 up at half time.

The dream is over, mid table is secured, but it looks as if the dreaded Conference league is the best fans can hope for, and even that might NOT be attainable, just like my dreams heh? - Ed

Just like waiting for busses, Hammers boss David Moyes has gone from only having one centre back properly available to THREE in the space of one game. As Hammers prepare for the crucial, what some say is a 'once in a lifeteime' clash' in the 2nd leg of the UEFA Europa League semi final against Eintrecht Franfurt, Moyes will be able to select his two centre back starters from Les 'Ballon' Dawson, Issa Diop and Zouma, the availability of all three will have come as a welcome fillip to the manager's plans ahead of the game.

The news for the rest of the defence is not so promising though, there is a serious doubt as to the availability of young Ben Johnson who currently has a thigh strain that may well prevent him from featurng, fortunatley Vladimir Coufal is slowly returning to the sort of form he dsiplayed before undergoing surgery for a hernia and thigh injury.

Indeed many have argued that Coufal is better suited to the pressure of European fixtures, due to his vast experience on the International and European stage, Johnson, great prospect that he is, DOES have a bit of a habit of playing sideways as opposed to the more direct nature of Coufal's crosses, Coufal also has a long throw in his locker that if used wisely CAN pay dividends.

Make no mistake, Thursday's game is in reality shit or bust for the Irons, but at least the manager has virtually a full strength squad to choose from! - Ed

West Ham: Fabianski, Coufal, Zouma, Cresswell, Fredericks, Noble (c), Rice, Fornals, Bowen, Benrahma, Lanzini. Subs: Areola (GK), Yarmolenko, Antonio, Vlasic, Diop, Masuaku, Soucek, Kral, Alese.
Arsenal: Ramsdale, Tomiyasu, Holding, Gabriel, Tavares, Elneny, Xhaka (c), Odegaard, Martinelli, Saka, Nketiah. Subs: Leno (GK), Lacazette, Smith Rowe, Cedric, Pepe, Lokonga, Kirk, Salah-Eddine, Swanson.

There has been a 'media frenzy' regarding the unsavoury treatment handed out to a couple of German radio reporters during Hammers 2-1 loss to Eintracht Franfurt last night, the culprit(s) will be identified and punished as a result, as it should be. However those same eagle eyed observers were myopic in the least by NOT mentioning the antagonistic nature of the away 'Ultras' who had been causing trouble well before the game in the morning and afternoon ALL over London.

A bit of banter between fans is always there, but the atmosphere was far more confrontational than say a London derby, even against traditional rivals Tottingham! Those same 'indignant' Reporters also failed to mention the fact that the away end was constantly shrouded in smoke as a result of the numerous flares that were being let off.

Now kindly correct us if we are wrong, but on entry to the Stadium last night, we thought we saw signs saying flares were NOT permitted and that anyone who used them were liable to be removed from the ground. It should also be remembered that it is both a CRIMINAL offence to set flares off in a public environment, as well as being against a Local Council bye law.

So we would suggest to the whiter than white flag brigade that they know what they can do with their flags and where they can put them! - Ed