Forum | General Discussion

West Ham manager Slaven Billic is well versed in mind games, his experience as Croatia's manager saw him pull off some remarkable victories over 'superior' teams, so it is to be hoped that his comments ahead of Saturday's 'high noon' kick off at the London Stadium about Tottenham being "the most attractive team to watch" were made with a bit of reverse psychology intended.

Early kick offs usually benefit the home team, but as Tottenham don't currently have a home they will probably not be at a disadvantage, in fact some would say that they will relish playing at the London Stadium because it will feel more like a home fixture as they have gradually become accustomed to playing on large pitches, mind you their domestic results at Wembley have been far from dazzling!

Team selection for this crucial London derby has been a hot topic of late, the most talked about and the one that divides opinion is whether Mark Noble starts or not. Now we at the Org, among other sites and blogs, have hardly championed Noble's cause, the 'legs have gone' etc etc. However we and hopefully others are indeed pragmatic about the situation and will get behind 'Marky' should he start, and all indications are that he will, especially given Slaven Billic's most recent press statement:
“It is important to have Mark, he’s our skipper. He’s the club captain, he’s
responsible for a good atmosphere and shape and everything and discipline in
the dressing room, on and off the pitch. “It’s great to have him back in the
team and where he fits, he’s really good player and important person and
player.”

Without wishing to be hypocritical if there is a match Mark Noble should start it probably is the one against Tottenham, if any of West Ham's over seas contingent need reminding of the game's importance then Noble will be the one to do it! His commitment will be an inspiration to those around him, the problem is he will probably try too hard as he has a propensity to concede fouls in dangerous situations that he might have avoided had he not dived in.

Elsewhere the continued absence of talisman Manuel Lanzini is a key issue, as is the absence of James Collins. Hammers switched to four at the back against Bolton and it worked well, but Tottenham are a different kettle of fish, Messrs Kane and Co will run riot if they are up against a flat back four and an exposed static four in the middle, the only option is to play 3-5-2 but who would the back three be? Fonte, Reid and who else? Up and coming star Declan Rice is a natural centre back, rumour has it that he has been rehearsing that role at the Hammers Rush Green training ground ahead of the match which might be a clue as to where he plays. With Rice part of the back three Zabaleta would be right wing/back, Cresswell or King Authur on the left. Noble and either Ogbonna or Kouyate or Elbows in the midfield, on the wings Antonio and Chicarito with Carroll up top. There are calls for teenager Sead Haksabanovic to feature, he is an unknown quantity who might dazzle Spurs, however given Billic's relatively conservative use of youngsters Haksabanovic will be on the bench at best, a game of this magnitude could be a step too far in the short term, he is a highly promising prospect and much thought will have been given as to how his undoubted talent can be intergrated without him getting 'destroyed' in one match.

Whatever formation Slaven Billic puts out they will be in for a tough game, Tottenham will be desperate to bury their 'Hammers hoodoo' to blot out their last three defeats by their hosts, likewise West Ham will be desperate to avoid a 'tonking', it's a London derby after all, albeit one that is to be played at an ungodly hour, however cometh the hour, cometh the man and perhaps Mark Noble will be the man, we hope so! - Ed

To some West Ham fans suggesting 'one of aar arnne' Marky Noble should not start against despised london rivals Tottenham is little short of heresy, but others see his lack of mobility as a liability, no one can doubt the Hammers captain has claret and blue running through his veins and that his heart and soul is fully in every step of every match he plays in. Slaven Billic has a similar affinity with Mark Noble to that of Sam Allardyce and his captain Kevin Nolan, both ignored the fact that their 'special one's' legs had gone! Ironically it was Noble who replaced Nolan, and unfortunately the time is fast approaching when Noble will not be the first name on the team sheet, fit or not!

Slaven Billic faced an enormous decision ahead of the early saturday kick off against Tottenham at the London Stadium, start his captain or the player who is currently far better than Mark Noble, Pedro Obiang. News that Obiang could be ruled out due to an ankle injury has spared Billic that decision, but many think there are still other options rather than selecting Noble. The Hammers midfield that was completely over run in the opening three fixtures of the season looked far more efficient when Noble did'nt feature, which of course co-incided with the first points achieved on the board.

Noble will most likely start the match on Saturday, unless he picks up a 'tactical injury', the thought behind selecting him as opposed to other team members will probably that he will run his heart out for the cause, after all, in the corresponding fixture last season he played with a bloody hernia that was waiting to go 'alien' on him! His commitment is without doubt, but commitment alone does not win modern day football matches, and times have moved on since 'Arry gave Mark Noble his Hammers debut.

It is not a comfortable feeling criticising 'one of our own' and suggesting his time is up, but if Slaven Billic doesn't wise up to the situation he might find himself the subject of a 'managerial tactical injury' that leads to HIS time being up!.- Ed