Well Hammers season has come down to the pinning of hopes on overturning a 2-1 deficit against Frankfurt in Thursday evening's 2nd leg of the UEFA Europa League semi final. Pursuing glory on both domestic and European fronts has proved to be a bit too much for the Premier League's 2nd smallest squad.
Yesterday's capitulation to Arsenal was a clear illustration, by trying to ensure a couple of players didn't have to play the entire 90 minutes, David Moyes put out a team that was always going to be vulnerable against an attack minded side like the North Londoners.
Hammers lack of strength in depth once again came back to haunt the club, but Moyes DID have options that he chose NOT to take. What has Alex Kral done to be ostracised to such a severe extent by the manager? He has had virtually ZERO game time but should have been a shoe in for Sunday's game, but he didn't even get to come on from the bench!
We can only think that Moyes didn't want Kral in the first place, and that the midfielder was signed to appease fans who wanted to see numbers through the door stake in the club, it should be remembered that Kral was signed on loan BEFORE Daniel Kretinsky took a 27% stake in the club which was teetering on the brink of severe financial pressure due to the income losses sustained during the Covid crisis.
There is no point in crying over spilled milk, Hammers fans have got to hope beyond hope that their rag bag team can overcome 'Ze Germans' on Thursday, but going into the game there will be many fans thinking about the 'if only's' and the jeopardy of 'putting all your eggs in one basket', in this case, the manager! - Ed
Comments
I think Moyes wants the
I think Moyes wants the strongest team that he can field on Thursday and ensure they give the performance of their lives and give everything conceivably possible.
Yes that is putting all his eggs in one basket, but he may never get the chance again.
I think we can turn ze Germans over personally and bar any bad luck in training this week we will field our best team...
I agree Nev,yes all eggs now
I agree Nev,yes all eggs now seem to be in one basket,re next Thursday and the bright start we had at the beginning of the season,has now progressed to all the shoulda couldas,and if onlys, which may see the season end being no more than a damp squibb.
New
It's the first season .in my memory we've had a basket
There was one deprived egg in
There was one deprived egg in the basket for Moyes. That was the Dawson one thanks to last weeks officiating. No doubt if Dawson was available and Cresswell played in his favourite left back spot, then the outcome could have been very different. That tackle from the Arsenal keeper on Bowen would have been interesting if Bowen did not avoid his tackle. Would the referee have then given him a tepid yellow or a blatant red? This is a whataboutism!!
Shit or bust! We should have
Shit or bust! We should have consolidated 6th place by now minimum. But due to the depth of squad. All the good work of the ladt 2 seasons could be undone! Playing our strongest available teams against Chelsea and Arsenal would have got us 2 wins. I can't see us picking up anything against Brighton and City. Plus Norwich now have othing to lose & will want to go out with a bang.
Perhaps if we do succeed on Thursday, Moyes should rest the entire starting 11 until the final. Blood the youth & Kral in the remaining league games. We desperately need favours in the league.
yes agree
but it has been an enjoyable season and 7th in this prem isn't bad especially with the small squad we have and as we all have said on this site we need a good striker next season plus a few others for cover, but overall i think David Moyes has and is doing a good job C.O.Y.I
I have to disagree on
I have to disagree on capitulation, I didnt see that yesterday. I have seen it in the past, particularly to Arse. With Dawson in the ranks we would have got a least a draw.
Next season isnt just about new players its keeping Dec and Bowen.
This has been a very positive season. We are establishing ourselves as a top half Prem team, had a good run in the League cup and are still in the tie for a place in a European final for first time in 46 years. I do hear the fat lady clearing her throat but I dont hearing any singing yet.
Keep the faith, in the Moyesaih we trust... COYMI's!!!
WE WILL WIN...
...end of chat...
Moysie and his staff have played this season like a game of high stakes poker with a half decent deck of cards...a couple of well thought out buys in January would have come in handy, but the board thought better of it...
He now knows how to play ze Germans and would have worked out their weaknesses; he knew their strengths and we will now see his masterclass in European football management...
I predict a 0-3 away win for the Cockney Boys and a trip to Spain for the Final.
Maximum optimism, minimum expectation
COYI
In all fairness
It was hardly a capitulation but the team was horrendously set up. Alese should have started so we have two CBs either with Zouma or Diop ( he was on the bench??). If all the eggs were in one basket tthen Bowen and Rice should have been rested too and possibly Fornals. If you're not going to play the youngsters then we're never going to find out if they're any good. Finishing top 6 looks unlikely now so Thursday is a must win game now. I STILL say we could've done without the distraction of Europa this season though
Either by default or design.
Either by default or design. Thursdays game is a must win at all costs game. We can debate whether its right or wrong and come Friday morning the hindsight brigade may well be out in force. But it's a semi final 2nd leg and we must win it at all costs.
It's clear and simple no grey area. We are in the moment and have a chance to be in a major European final for the first time in decades.
That's all the club are interested in and rightly so in my opinion...
With
you on that one boogers