Saturday 20 June 2020

Wow! Moyes picks surprising starting XI!


If the starting XI is anything to go by then Mr Moyes has certainly been switching it about in the lost three month period!

Declan Rice slips to centre back, with Soucek and Noble in midfield, while there's no place for Seb Haller.

Up front its Antonio with Fornals, Bowen and Anderson in behind in what seems to be a 4-2-3-1 formation!

It's not what was predicted but certainly raises the interest with what looks to be a whole new set up under Moyes!

West Ham United: Fabianski; Ngakia, Rice, Diop, Cresswell, Soucek, Noble (c), Bowen, Fornals, Felipe Anderson, Antonio


Substitutes: Randolph, Fredericks, Balbuena, Johnson, Yarmolenko, Lanzini, Wilshere, Xande Silva, Ajeti

Here we go! Hammers look to kickstart survival campaign



We're back! After three months of fear, sadness and frustration, today marks the start of truly recovering some sense of normality since the COVID-19 catastrophe began.

Hovering close to relegation (currently in 17th place on goal difference!) we certainly won't be bored from now to the end of the season. With our opponents today looking towards a possible top four finish we will be hoping that all the positive vibes from the training ground will translate into fully fit and motivated players. On a positive note, Moyes' teams rarely want for effort or fitness, so we can expect them to look sharp.

As for the starting XI it's impossible to know what Moyes will do - we look better with two up front but caution calls for three in central midfield, hmmmm. If we do go for a midfield pairing who would you select from Rice, Noble and Soucek - especially now the Czech has had plenty of time to settle in. 

And that's not to mention the circus going on at right back! With Traore seemingly fit again we will need pace at the full back berths. That said, the Ngakia situation is very disappointing all round and is starting to reach the point where he could join the list of ex-players that shall not ever be mentioned!

Just how the absence of a crowd will impact upon things is also intriguing - although the new stadium is no Upton Park in terms of atmosphere, it has improved on the fortress stakes and does provide a degree of home advantage that will be seriously diluted today.

We reckon Moyes will play it cagey and it'll be a low scoring affair. With nine games to go, 38 points (i.e an average of one per game) would likely suffice and we do have a relatively attractive run in. 

If you are watching with mates don't forget to maintain social distancing, even WHEN we score :-)

COYI!!!