Bleed, Bleed, Bleed ...it's 2-0 to the Hammers!

Oh yes, classic counterattacking and Bowen has doubled the lead.

It's crazy, but we absolutely love it!!!

This IS the West ham way!

Let it Bleed! Irons one up!!!

 

Oh yes, Jarrod has opened the scoring and the Hammers are ahead - very much against the flow but hey, we are MASSIVE!!!

And so the borg shall bleed!

It's a big occasion for Mr West ham today as Mark Noble bids the home fans goodbye. Can David Moyes' men halt the Mancunian borg? It looks unlikely on paper but this is West ham - a circus of insane fun!

It's a predictable starting XI, Nobes surely to join before the final whistle. Man city have defensive woes aplenty so it's a game in which we must be courageous and attack as much as possible.

West Ham XI: Fabianski; Coufal, Zouma, Dawson, Cresswell; Rice(c), Soucek; Bowen, Lanzini, Fornals; Antonio. 

Subs: Areola, Masuaku, Johnson, Fredericks, Noble, Kral, Vlasic, Yarmolenko, Okoflex. 

Back to business with strong starting XI vs Canaries

It's back down to earth after the carnage of Thursday night's exit from the Europa League. David Moyes' men are going to have to scrap for a European placing as Wolves are breathing down their neck for seventh place.

Higher up, Man Utd are in freefall after a humiliating 4-0 drubbing from Brighton. They are still catchable but only if the Hammers see off Norwich and Brighton, both away from home and hope for something against Man City. City may be less focused after Liverpool slipped up last night but you'd still  bite their hand off for a point!

David Moyes has picked a very strong starting XI, with Tomas Soucek the main absentee, as he slips to the bench and  Said Benrahma comes in, with Fornals likely to play alongside Declan Rice.

Norwich a playing for pride whilst the wounded Hammers need the points but may be tired after a tough midweek battle. 

West Ham XI: Fabianski; Coufal, Dawson, Zouma, Cresswell; Rice, Fornals; Lanzini, Benrahma, Bowen; Antonio. Subs: Areola, Fredericks, Masuaku, Johnson, Soucek, Kral, Noble, Vlasic, Yarmolenko. 

Three Key Elements that will allow West Ham to overcome Eintracht Frankfurt tonight

This really is the proverbial 'Barry McGuigan' tonight as West Ham's season is well and truly on the line. A win would keep the dream of Champion's League football next year alive. A loss will leave Moyes' men scurrying for a Europa Conference placing.

Last week's game highlighted Frankfurt's level of organisation and ability to control the ball for extended periods. In many respects, they are a Bundesliga version of the Hammers with a firm defence and rapid counterattacking style. With that in mind, first and foremost West ham need to be patient. Frankfurt will capitalise if we push the game too much but if we keep our composure the chances will come. 

Secondly, West ham need to do better from set pieces. Last week just about every free kick/corner was flighted into the Frankfurt keeper's grateful arms. We can clearly do better and with an extra week under his belt Zouma can team up better with Dawson to cause panic at set pieces. That said, the delivery simply has to be better!

Thirdly, we need to be fully focused from the kick off. Last week's early concession of a goal was totally out of character. We showed great composure in getting back into the game and were certainly unlucky with the woodwork moments, but this is a very evenly matched tie. Frankfurt's fans will be noisy, but we have a lot of tough characters and a resilient team ethic.  

The Hammers are due a slice of good fortune - tonight's the night we most need it!

COYI!!!

A Plea to any would be Streakers or other Pitch Invaders

Professor Arnold A. Windybottom, original inventor of the Subbuteo streaker piece, has issued a plea to any would be pitch invaders for tonight's crucial clash with Eintracht Frankfurt- don't be like those clowns who halted the quarter final game against Lyon just as the Hammers looked set to score!

Don't, don't, don't...or you will face the wrath of the 60,000 Hammers fans who will be at the Stadium tonight urging our boys on.

We mean it, don't!

Starting XI: David Moyes is now Officially a Crafty Cockney

Many have presumed that West ham would enter tonight's clash with Frankfurt without Kurt Zouma but in breaking news, Moyes has come up on the inside rails with an unexpected starting XI with Zouma at CB. Moyes has pulled a proper crafty one here!

In fact, you could argue that West ham are as close to full strength as they have been all season with a well rested Antonio and Bowen up front and Fornals and Lanzini buzzing around in front of Rice and Soucek. Johnson and Cresswell at full back are also starting and both look full of energy right now.

Our bench ain't bad either with Benrahma, Yarmo and Vlasic ready to shake it up if needed.

What could possibly go wrong???

West Ham United: Areola, Johnson, Dawson, Zouma, Cresswell, Rice ©, Souček, Lanzini, Bowen, Fornals, Antonio

Subs: Fabiański (GK), Randolph (GK), Coufal, Yarmolenko, Vlašić, Noble, Benrahma, Fredericks, Masuaku, Král, Alese, Chesters