Forum | General Discussion

Liverpool: Alisson, Gomez, Matip, Van Dijk, Robertson, Mac Allister, Jones, Szoboszlai, Salah, Nunez, Diaz.
Subs: Kelleher, Endo, Konate, Gakpo, Elliott, Jota, Tsimikas, Gravenberch, Quansah

West Ham: Areola, Coufal, Zouma, Aguerd, Emerson, Ward-Prowse, Alvarez, Soucek, Bowen, Paqueta, Antonio.
Subs: Fabianski, Fornals, Kudus, Cornet, Ings, Ogbonna, Benrahma, Kehrer, Mavropanos

New boys Konstantinos Mavropanos and Mohammed Kudus were both given their first starts for West Ham in the tricky Europa League fixture against Backa Topola yesterday evening in London. Neither failed to impress and aided and abetted by fellow new signing James Ward-Prowse the trio showed that there IS life after Declan Rice.

Hammers rain lashed Stadium was nowhere near full, especially the away end, but considering it was an unglamorous Thursday night game held in atrocious weather conditions it was still a good turn out, the envy of so called 'elite' clubs like Citeh and Chelsea, although not this season for the latter of course because they failed to qualify for ANY European competitions this season.

The boot was definitely on the other foot as the visitors packed their entire team behind the ball and began time wasting and play acting from the off! The time wasting was understandable but the feigning of injuries was embarrassing for any team, especially a team from Serbia where 'men are supposed to be men'.

David Moyes had made a lot of changes and it showed with a lack of cohesion in the pick and mix team he put out despite their efforts they were unable to break down the visitors who were attempting to 'out West Ham' West Ham! There were several clear cut chances that on another night would have seen Hammers two or three goals up, instead the visitors began to grow in confidence towards the end of the first half and start the 2nd half with a spring in their step.

An atrocious error by the usually reliable Angelo Obonna let the visitors go a goal ahead which kick started the crowd and the team into a positive response. James Ward-Prowse has already justified his £30 Million fee and continued to do so with his precision set pieces.

Mohamed Kudus was the beneficiary on two occasions as he forced a defensive error for Hammers first goal which he swiftly followed up with a header to put the home crowd at ease and make for what ended up a comfortable victory. A win that was compounded by Tomas Soucek who came on as a late sub and scored a header that was straight from the 'Old Tomy' hand book.

Soucek has come in for a ridiculous amount of unfair criticism from a large section of the team's fan base, they should remember that 'Big Tomy' was sacrificed last season in order to let Decal Rice play a more advanced role. Soucek is now showing glimpses of being the superb player he once was when he first arrived at the club, Moyes knows it as well and it seems there is now an aura of positivity around the big Czech.

Several players got a run out to show what they are about, unfortunately for one of them fan favourite Pablo Fornals, the night was not so good, his play went from dreadful to anonymous before he was finally hooked, he looked to all intents and purposes to be a player already preparing for life in La Liga, don't be surprised if he is off in the January window.

All in all a decent night, but also a salient portent of what can happen if you underestimate the opposition!- Ed

TSC Backa Topola arrive in London later today ahead of what their fans are calling the club's 'travel cup final'. A game in which they have nothing to lose given it is only one of their group games ahead and against the top seed in their group.

It is unusual for Hammers to be at such lofty heights as normally the club are the under dogs domestically. This'accoalde' was hard earned last season but will mean nothing if the team believe their own myth and try to rest on their Laurels.

Konstantinos Mitraponis, we'll call him Stan to save time, is scheduled to make his debut for the club in what will be a bit of a re jig of the team that suffered Saturdays to Man Citeh. Edson Alvarez is unavailable due to having to serve a one match ban that he picked up playing for Ajax, so there needs to be an 'enforcer' in his place.

This is of course an issue for Moyes because Alvarez has seamlessly slotted into the first team and his presence will be sorely missed. That said there should be more than enough players available to fill the gap, Connor Coventry could step up to the plate or even fan favourite Pablo Fornals could 'do a number' there.

Elsewhere, Divin Mubama could well lead the line to give Big Mikey Antonio a break and the hardly used Danny Ings could be back up depending how the game progresses. The club need to get SOME value out of Ings and Thursday night might just be HIS night, although in the long term his future at the club must surely be in jeopardy.

Mohamed Kudus is also in line for a start, his blistering pace will put the opposition on the back foot leaving room for others to exploit. Moyes may elect to have Lucas Paqueta on the bench with Kudus starting instead, if he does then James Ward-Prowse will probably be given free range to bomb forward and relinquish his duties to 'Stan the Man' who may be used as a CDM despite normally playing as a centre back, his presence in the opposition's goal mouth WILL strike fear into defenders, especially if he has JWP pinging balls in for him!

The reason 'successful' clubs have a strong bench is because it is an absolute necessity to be able to 'go long' in competitions, strength in depth is the order of the day and INTELLIGENT use of the substitutes. Moyes HAS the tools at his disposal, it is to be hoped that he uses them correctly! - LN