West Ham: Fabianski, Johnson, Dawson, Diop, Cresswell, Soucek, Rice ©, Bowen, Lanzini, Vlasic, Antonio. Subs: Areola (GK), Coufal, Fredericks, Masuaku, Noble, Kral, Fornals, Benrahma, Yarmolenko.
Burnley: Pope, Lowton, Collins, Tarkowski ©, Taylor, McNeil, Westwood, Cork, Cornet, Rodriguez, Weghorst. Subs: Hennessey(GK), Roberts, Long, Bardsley, Brownhill, Stephens, Lennon, Barnes, Vydra.
The opponents at Stratford for this afternoon's Premier League fixture arrive sans gravel voiced Sean Dyche, because the club's new owners inexplicably decided to axe the man who has kept them punching above their weight for the last 8 years on a total operating player spend of only £24 Million!
Dyche is loved and adored in Burnley, he even has a pub named after him for Christ's sake, so the club's decision to pull the plug with so few games remaining is baffling to say the least. However before Hammers fans begin thinking that the 'Clarets' will arrive and perform like a rudderless ship are way off the mark, the visiting players will go out and 'give it their all' to honour Sean Dyche's perennial services to the club and will NOT be easy meat.
Hammers exertions in Lyon will also take their toll on Moyes's boys, so the crowd will have to play its part in generating an atmosphere to help 'lift' the team from its previous travails. Hammers will be without Kurt Zouma for this crucial game that might just reignite the club's European qualification aspirations via their final league positioning.
Aaron Cresswell will be available again having been suspended for the Europa League 1/4 final against Lyon, but there are some who feel he had an absolute stinker against Brentford and that the left back berth should be taken by the brilliantly adaptable Ben Johnson.
Most of the team who played on Thursday will be a bit cream crackered, how Mikey Antonio played almost the full 90 is virtually beyond comprehension given his past fitness issues, he is not alone though, ALL of the players who started the game put in a shift and a half, they could be forgiven for a possibly lack lustre performance this afternoon, but winning breeds winning and there is every possibility that the players can summon up enough energy to get the job done today and accrue three vital points.
Results went fairly well for West Ham yesterday, recently the club have failed to capitalise on other clubs' poor results on numerous occasions, it is to be hoped that today that the players can reverse that trend. - Ed
Its no secret that I've gone from season ticket holder at The Boleyn to a casual spectator at the Meccano Stadium. I was sceptical of the induction meeting for renewal of season ticket and decided to do a few "viewings" before committing myself again based on computer generated scenery. I'm glad I did, the OS is shit, the sightlines are horrendous, the atmosphere lost in the void, the prematch experience has gone and getting home is no better than the queue at Upton Park if not worse.
I always said that it would take something special to make me venture back to the ground which I did earlier this season to watch Brentford, who were my second team whilst in the Championship and nothing then has made me change my mind that match days at the OS are something I'd look forward to.
It was, however my intention to be at the City game for what is expected to be the Legend that is Marky Nobles final home game. The only seats available are at the back of the upper tier (something I said I'd never subscribe to as the view from the lower is bad enough) but then I saw the price. £75. Are they having a giraffe? What happened to the affordable football they were banging on about? For £75 I wanna be sat in the dugout at that place.
Rant over!
After all the shenanigans from the cheat from hell of last week commited by Felix Swayer, fans were hoping for a less biased referee for Hammers crucial game against Lyon, boy did they get one. The home side attempted to con the referee from the off, just as they had done last week in London, however this Ref was NOT for turning or being manipulated.
Time and time again the Lyon players fell to the ground as if pole-axed but their complaints were dismissed to such an extent that they eventually stopped trying to claim them! Hammers did a number on the French team, many see the result as Karma for Lyon's diving cheating dark arts approach to the beautiful game.
The Crowd turned on their own security staff at the end of the game which David Moyes' boys won at what seemed like a canter in the end, on paper, but it could so easily have gone wrong, but it didn't, what a night? Talk about 'femme la bouche!'
What a difference it makes when the referee is a thinker, not a winker nor a wanker! - Ed
Lyon: Pollersback, Gusto, Denayer, Lukeba, Emerson, Mendes, Faivre, Toko Ekambi, Aouar, Ndombélé, Dembélé © Subs: M.Barcola (GK), Bonnevie (GK), Lucas Paqueta, Kadewere, Henrique, Dubois, Keïta, Tetê, Da Silva, Reine-Adélaïde, B.Barcola, Boateng
West Ham: Areola, Coufal, Dawson, Diop, Johnson, Rice ©, Souček, Bowen, Lanzini, Fornals, Antonio Subs: Fabiański (GK), Randolph (GK), Fredericks, Alese, Masuaku, Noble, Král, Chesters, Vlašić, Benrahma, Yarmolenko, Perkins
There has been SO much media focus on how difficult a task West Ham face for this evening's quarter-final 2nd leg of the UEFA Europa League Cup against Lyon, that you could assume the club hardly need to travel to the Rhone region of France for the fixture because the home team have all but won it already!
Hammers WILL be without Kurt Zouma AND Aaron Cresswell for what will be one of the club's most important fixtures for over 40 years, but that does leave the rest of a team 'itching' to perform on the big stage. Including Angelo Ogbonna, the defence IS missing its original centre back pairing that saw the club start the season so very well, so heading into such a crucial game devoid of the club's first choice defence is hardly desirable, but it is what it is and hopefully those who do play will step up to the plate.
Before fans get too 'negged up' about the Hammers injury list, they should cast an eye at the opposition's selection problems, as the host side will be without FOUR key members of their team, including their Talisman Lucas Paqueta! Yes Lyon DO have a stronger strength in depth in their squad, but that shouldn't stop Hammers making the 'Lyon' sleep tonight! - LN
Contrary to some information being negatively spread on the Internet, Declan Rice will NOT be suspended for the Europa League Cup semi-final should Hammers beat Lyon on Thursday evening's quarter-final. Decs had to play a disciplinary tight rope during the first leg in Stratford last week, fearing another booking would see him miss this Thursday's fixture, but according to UEFA rules, yellow cards that are outstanding are written off after the quarter final.
However before fans get cock a hoop with happiness, the prospect of taking on a 'canny' Lyon team who are masters at the dark arts, has been made that more difficult with confirmation from the club that Kurt Zouma will NOT travel with the squad due to the injury he sustained against Brentford at the weekend, yet another player crocked by an opposition defender who escaped without sanction!
The situation is exasperated by Aaron Cresswell's absence for Thursdays team due to the senselEss but also totally unfair RED CARD HE PICKED UP following yet another dubious decision by the on pitch fraudster. There is a suggestion that Auther Masuaku will be drafted in at left back, it that is the case fans can kiss the tie goodbye UNLESS he plays ahead of Ben Johnson as a wing back, with Vladimir Coufal continuing his return from injury at right back.
Hammers have obvious selection issues, but then again so do Lyon, at least the referee for this coming fixture isn't going to be a wanker! - Ed
Plan A..4231..Plan B..4231....You get the general idea of my post now...know doubt you may of read some of my posts on other threads saying about how tough it is to watch us play right now...kick off sit deep and hope to hit the opposition on the counter...it has worked for a good while but now it is very stale the players have lost there spark and seem very lethargic in play and this has been going on for to long for my liking and there seems little in the way of change coming so has Moyes and his team hit a brickwall and have no idea/clue as to how to change things?
Football evolves and if you become predictable then you are dead in the water and that is us right now....does Moyes and his coaches have no faith in the players to try something different because he has been flogging a dead horse for months now and i do not believe that just because we played on a thursday we cannot play on a sunday...the spuds game aside where the extra time clearly got to the players legs but even then there was no spark no kind of stubborn resistance from the players just nothing....and this Sunday my God in possibly the worst performance of the season just what was Moyes thinking? he surely could of started Kral/Vlasic/Diop even Noble and given some of our side a rest but know he just keeps hitting his head against a brickwall.
For all the plaudits Moyes has rightly received for we the fans and the media he has to accept and do something about changing the teams mentality especially at home and stop giving the oppostion the initiative from the start.
The vultures are circling, looking at what they consider to be lesser teams to see what talent they can prise away. Once the season ends, the noise around West Ham's most talented players is likely to become unbearable as the lack of football to report on inevitably results in endless transfer speculation and rumours. Rather than lament the state of football journalism or wallow in grief at the potential loss of Rice or Bowen, let's see what clubs have done in the past to hold on to their most talented and in-demand players.
David Moyes on Declan Rice:
“I think he’s been England’s best player since the Euros. He’s not for sale.” pic.twitter.com/UEDKqItcMc— Uber West Ham (@UberWestHam) April 3, 2022
Challenge
While the Premier League title odds tell us Man City at 1/2 and Liverpool at 15/8 will win the league this season, based on performances, some West Ham fans will fancy the club to 'do a Leicester' next season. While the title might be a step too far, David Moyes demonstrated that he is capable of securing a Champion's League place with far fewer resources than other clubs. His fourth-place finish with Everton in 2005 represents one of the highlights of his career, although The Toffees didn't have a memorable run in Europe's elite club competition.
While West Ham remained in the conversation for top-four contention for much of the season, investment in the squad is required to ensure that achieving a Champion's League spot is a realistic goal for next season. It's difficult to provide examples of players that have resisted a move away due to their club showing ambition by signing better players. Generally, the player will talk about their love for the club and the fans and simply not mention that their decision was actually dependent on wanting to play alongside better players and challenge for honours. Yet, there's no doubt it happens and keeping Rice and Bowen might require West Ham to identify targets now and loosen the purse strings.
Jarrod Bowen now has 14 goals and nine assists in all competitions pic.twitter.com/HzAkqSjz8o
— GOAL (@goal) April 8, 2022
Captain fantastic
There have been a few legendary one-club players with Paolo Maldini (AC Milan) and Francesco Totti (Roma) and Matt le Tissier (Southampton) being good examples. Each of these great players endured difficult times with their respective clubs, but never abandoned their club to seek success elsewhere. Maldini was pursued by Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson, but never really considered moving.
Totti rejected the chance to be a Galactico at Real Madrid and Liverpool, Tottenham and Chelsea were unable to entice Le Tissier away from the Saints. The fact that each of these players was captain of their respective clubs shouldn't be overlooked. Being made captain and the added responsibilities that come with the position can make it harder for a player to walk away. Moyes should be praised for giving Rice the armband in the absence of Mark Noble and his vocal assertion that being West Ham captain could result in Rice becoming England captain too.
Just say no
Ex-Hammer Carlos Tevez tried to initiate a transfer away from Man City during the 2011-12 season when he refused to play and was repeatedly fined by the club. In order to prevent a move away, an astronomical valuation of the player was quoted to any interested parties. Tevez was forced to return, apologise and played a key role in City's subsequent title-winning season. Tevez is an extreme example, but there have been plenty of instances in the past when clubs have simply placed a price tag on a player that can't be realistically met.
Clubs have the power to decide what a player is worth and while refusing to allow a player to leave might result in a player tantrum, in the end, it can be best for the club. Perhaps a better example is Harry Kane and his protracted but failed bid to join Man City. Spurs simply ignored City's interest and didn't once look to negotiate and possibly that should be the West Ham attitude this summer.
Rice still has two years left on his West Ham contract at the end of this season and there's an option to extend an additional 12 months. Bowen has three-and-a-half years left on his contract after being signed by Hull in January 2020. The media will tell us that if big clubs come calling these players will go and that's simply not the case, but action might be required to ensure they do stay.
Brentford: Raya, Henry, Pinnock, Zanka, Ajer, Norgaard (c), Eriksen, Janelt, Wissa, Mbeumo, Toney. Subs: Fernandez (GK), Canos, Jensen, Ghoddos, Jeanvier, Fosu-Henry, Baptiste, Sorensen, Roerslev.
West Ham: Fabianski, Coufal, Dawson, Zouma, Cresswell, Rice (c), Soucek, Fornals, Lanzini, Bowen, Antonio. Subs: Areola (GK), Yarmolenko, Vlasic, Benrahma, Diop, Fredericks, Masuaku, Johnson, Kral.
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