Forum | General Discussion

Borussia Dortmund play Napoli, while Barcelona match up against Rangers on Thursday evening to decide which of the clubs progress to the knock out stages of the Europa League Cup, at which point previous group winners including West Ham are put into the hat for the 1/4 finals draw.

The fact that Dortmund play Napoli means that at least one 'big hitter' will not even make the cut! Ironically Hammers fans will be hoping that Barca can triumph over Rangers, in order that the Catalan club can be in the mix for the next round 'proper', all of you who have mocked 50/50 scarves in the past prepare to eat some 'umble pie if Hammers do end up being drawn against Barcelona, there will certainly be big dollops consumed at the Org, as multiple 'brown envelope' purchases would be the order of the day, NOT that type of anonymous' package all ye of dirty minds, just because the club is part owned by people who made their stack in the soft porn business, it doesn't mean EVERYTHING connected to the club is tainted.

The benefit of winning the initial group stage is plain to see, as Hammers will have avoided playing an extra two games right in the middle of the club's desperate attempt at holding on to a top spot in the Premier League. To see clubs like Barcelona, Borussia Dortmund and Lazio ALL having to play a two-legged qualifier, JUST to be in the same pot as West Ham shows how phenomenally well David Moyes and his team player during the first part of the season, before the momentum shattering International break, after which Hammers form fell off the cliff.

Waiting to see Tee Irons play European fixtures on the TV or in person is a very unique experience for almost every living Hammers fan, so long has it been, the situation is even more unique in that fans can watch Thursday's games and the corresponding return fixtures safe in the knowledge that Hammers are already through.

This is the team's reward for all the effort put in at the beginning of the season, perhaps the players and staff should remember just HOW good the performances were in an attempt to reboot the team's current lack of form and use those results as a source of inspiration moving forward, enjoy tomorrow night's football as you ponder which club will have to face the mighty Hammers! - LN

Saturday's high noon fixture against Newcastle could be a defining moment for both clubs, a win for the visitors would all but propel them towards Premier League survival, a win for David Moyes' West Ham would firm up the club's grip on a European top slot, something has to give, or does it?

The Toon are on the crest of their new found wealth wave, having secured three wins on the bounce that have seen them climb three points away from the relegation zone. They have however just lost their newest talisman, Kieran Trippier, to injury and there are doubts as to the fitness of Alain Saint Maxim ahead of the clash in Stratford.

Hammers have were out of sorts even BEFORE Zoumagate, the lucky win against sixth tier Kidderminster having been followed by a narrow victory over relegation doomed Watford and an even luckier point against Leicester. Unfortunately several key players seem to have ALL run out of form at the same time, most notably Hammers once imperious Czech contingent of Tomas Soucek and Vladimir Coufal who are currently looking a shadow of their former selves.

It is not just the Czech Mates who are NOT living up to their own high standards, Mikey Antonio started the season on fire, but the goals and assists have dried up despite him maintaining his fitness to a superb degree, far superior to previous seasons, unfortunately his 'romance' with the Jamaica national team HAS impacted his performances which is understandable given the massive distances he has been required to travel. It must surely be time for Big Mick to call time on his International career and concentrate on his domestic obligations, after all it IS West Ham who are paying his wages.

We won't comment on Aaron Cresswell's game against Leicester, other than to say ALL players are capable of having a bad day at the office and that he had a very bad day at the office, but generally he has performed admirably, but somewhat predictably, as we have mentioned previously.

Saturday's game won't be without goals, but it could well end up being a draw which actually suits neither team, although it would continue the Toon's unbeaten run to four games. It will be interesting to see how the away fans treat Zouma if he is selected to play, they will be mindful of how their new owners are reviled by human rights groups across the Globe and as such will have to choose between hypocrisy and ignorance, or 'a rock and a hard place' if you know what we mean. - ED

Leicester: Schmeichel (c); Justin, Söyüncü, Amartey, Pereira, Dewsbury-Hall, Tielemans, Ndidi, Barnes, Maddison, Daka Subs: Ward (GK), Albrighton, Iheanacho, Perez, Choudhury, Vestergaard, Mendy, Thomas, Lookman
West Ham: Fabiański; Coufal, Zouma, Dawson, Cresswell; Rice (c), Souček, Bowen, Lanzini, Fornals, Antonio Subs: Areola (GK), Diop, Fredericks, Johnson, Kral, Noble, Vlašić, Benrahma, Yarmolenko

It has been an awful long time coming, but one of Hammers brightest stars has finally returned to being the player who was universally nick named the 'little diamond', feted by non other than Lionel Messi, the World was at Manuel lanzini's feet until that fateful day while training with the Argentine National team when he received an acute ACL injury that ultimately threatened to end his career.

Manuel Pellegrini had just been appointed as the club's new manager and had spent the early part of his tenure assembling a group of players that would have Lanzini as the 'heart' of the team, alas it was not to be and 'Manu' began his long and tortuous road to recovery. There were many times when it seemed he would NEVER return to being anything like the incredibly gifted player he was before his horrendous injury, time and time again he would return to the fold only to pick up a niggle or worse that would set him back further.

It seemed Lanzini would never get back to his sumptuous best, the player was put up for sale but then David Moyes changed his mind and began giving the Argentine more game time, however in a slightly deeper position than he had previously played, the results are plain to see, Manu's guille and skill are put to good use as he operates just ahead of the back line, linking up play with simple but purposeful passes out from the back.

Obviously someone has to make way in order for Lanzini to start the Leicester game, that player should be Säid Benrahma who has looked off the pace since returning from a very disappointing AFCON tournament, Benny looks to be suffering from a performance hangover as a result of Algeria crashing out of the competition at the first hurdle, despite being the favourites to win outright.

Benny can come on for the last 20 minutes or so when the opposition are tiring, it is the type of situation that will suit his swift feet, who comes on as well as Benny is a matter of some debate. We at the Org can be accused of having a 'bit of an agenda' regarding the inclusion of Andriy Yarmolenko in the match day squad, let alone actually using him!

There is TOO MUCH young talent available itching to be given a chance with the 1st team that have to sit on the bench watching the lumbering winger get selected ahead of them, they must wonder what on earth they have to do to get a run out, it is NOT as if they could do ANY worse is it?

Time for the Little Jewel to shine again, class is permanent! -LN