Gianfranco’s team selection or the Wigan match is going to be eagerly anticipated. The fact that Behrami is back in contention gives him a real dilemma in midfield. Behrami is apparently very keen to start, but I imagine that will be a bit too much and he will start on the bench. Mark Noble and Jack Collison will be only too well aware that their places are under threat. Or does Zola intend to play Behrami at right back? By all accounts Faubert has equipped himself well in that position so far, so it would seem unfair to drop him.
All eyes will be on Aleesandro Diamanti, who scored a brace for the reserves earlier in the week. A starting three of Cole, Diamanti and Jimenez seems to be a given. At the back, Ilunga is still not fit, so Spector will continue to deputise. There have been rumours on other sites that Da Costa might be given a start and Upson rested, but I just can’t see that. Tomkins will come in for his first game of the season, replacing James Collins. So I expect the team to look like this…
Green, Upson, Tomkins, Spector, Faubert, Noble, Parker, Collison, Diamanti, Jimenez, Cole. Subs: Kuprecz, Da Costa, Daprela, Kovac, Behrami, Stanislas, Hines.
Wigan haven’t got a home point so far this season, so you know what that means… 
Prediction: 0-2
I think the game will likely have come too soon for Behrami unfortunately, although I’d stick him left back!! He seems to be able to play any position well, so I’d stick him there until Illunga is back (or just give Deprela a go!!) Faubert just won player of the month, he has to keep his place. Behrami and Diamanti will ikely come on as subs as the game wears on, hopefully by which point we might have knicked a goal, although where that might come is still a worry for me personally.
Unless there is a thunderbolt of a strike, or a silly defensive error, I doubt we’ll concede as we are a tidy unit away from home.
I think the player many of us would like to see get a bit more of a go is Hines, although we obviously don’t want to rush him, but he sure does know how to stick it in the back of the net. Him and Cole could be quite a threat.
I agree with Blitz that Hines deserves a chance and I think that he should start as a just reward for his hatrick on tuesday night. I think Diamanti should be given a half, on the basis of Hines starting then I think it should be the second half though if Jimmy isn’t fit for this then I might be tempted into starting him too to give us some real energy up top from the KO.
If we play as well as we can then we will win this easily, and if we play within ourselves I think that the energy offered by the new and young boys going forward will be enough to see us taking the spoils home. Luckily the internationals were kind to us so I don’t see fatigue being a problem- come on you irons!
Let’s hope the streams are up and running tomorrow!
It’ll be Football First for me!
I’m going for a 0-4!
Who would have thought it argung over which strikers we should play Glory hallelujah
Difficult to call the lineup but whatever it is will say a lot about GZ’s intentions for the season.
We’re playing well at the moment. The team are really starting to gel with some of the movement, passing and clever interplay starting to get transferred from the training pitch in to games. The skills and drills are really paying off.
Whilst I’d love to see Zavon start, because it would be the ideal game to do it in, I reckon he’ll come off the bench in the 2nd half.
0-2.
COYI!
is the mexican fit or not?
and hines could well get a game, after his form of late. my midfield would be behrami parker and collison.
jiminez may not be fit to start, and dyer likewise
Rob, he hasn’t signed yet mate!
He’s undergoing his medical apparently!
Cole, Diamanti and Jimenez— I like it. I like it a lot.
Maybe because it built up so slowly but take a look at what we have available. And Illunga still has to come back. That’s no sissy squad on the pitch!
gym. woman away. kickoff 10am. Pint of Guiness
COYI!!!!!
With Zola saying that Behrami is not going to start and also if worst case senario Dyer and Jimmy are not fit. Then the side ends up picking itself.
Green
Faubert, Upson, Tompkins, Spector (I would play Deplena)
Parker
Noble, Collison
Stanislas, Cole, Diamanti
Subs
Kepretz,Gabbidon, Deplena, Kovac, Behrami, Hines, Nouble.
We win 2-0
Guillermo is match fit…in theory cos he played for mexico the other day. App he is excited, but when she picked up the kids today..mrs franco was not keen on the move.
Easy win tomorrow!
Looking forward to Football First!
Tony, thats why he has only signed till next year. he wants to play in the WC assuming Mexico qualify. We offered him a 2yr deal but that is under review with Guille and family if they settle
Matty, did you receive a reply to your Newsnow petitions signature??? I did1Lol!
pity pepperami is not fully fit we could proberbly get by with just him and green playing rush goalie! wigan are poor because they did not reinvest any of the transfer money since heskey left!
Fishy, email me mate, best keep it away from here
info@uk-ambulance.co.uk
In the press they have said he’s getting 20,000 per week…wait till he pays labours 50% tax. Dont think he will stick around beyond next summer.
Think missus wanted to go back to south america. She’s worried about language…but the three kids all speak english!!!! They all attended the british school like most of the villareal players children do. So she will have three translators.
If he gives us cover till the summer that will do anyway, hopefully have ne owners by then and some new signings…possibly.
Tony, what do they know were they in on the deal??
I love the fact that were debating what strikers we should play.
Not too sure about this Mexican thats signing, hes a bit old but i guess if hes only gonna be backup.
I hope that tomorrow will be a game that gives us three points and a view as to what players are gonna perform for us this season, by that i mean, we’ll introduce the likes of Hines, Diamanti, Daprela etc at some point.
On the subjetc of faubert, hes really taken up the position at right back and im glad hes come back with a much improved attitude.
Futures looking bright for us Hammers.
COYI!!!!
Fishy
What do who know????
Tony, The Press – Media! how much Guille is being paid. Mate
I doubt Guille is ready to play, in fact he may not have had the medical yet. Let’s just hope he is a Mexican and not a Mexicant. I hear he was awful at Villareal but was always on good form in Mexico. We just have to wait and see.
0-3 us! COYI
Looking forward to the game, especially seeing Diamanti for the first time. I am sure we will be roaring the team onto victory. I go 2-1, but I think Wigan will prove tougher than some are suggesting. However, they have punched above their weight for a while now and with Martinez still finding his feet in the Premiership, I think this is a good time to play them.
Read it on one of the newspaper sights on here…seemed a bit cheap to me. But probable add ons etc…. but its only a short term contract anyway.
When my wife spoke to mrs franco today and said your husbands off to west ham then, she pulled a face. My wife told her that its a good club and that she used to there with me when we were in england. but she wasn’t keen at all.
But it will be strange cos he’s always been in hispanic countries before, which obviously suits her. She speaks little english at present herself and i dont think he does either. The staff always talk to them in spanish or through the children.
Sol, Guille will not play tomorrow but GZ said he would be working with him from next week so could possible feature @ home against liverpool. Lol!
Think he is very keen because a lot of the recent villareal players played in england…pires,cygan,forlan,rossi etc….
Just unhappy wife could cause problems…remember unsworth.
Anyway a good away win tomorrow will do and i fancy a 3~1 victory and Diamond to score on debut.
William Hill is offering odds of 11-1 on your 0-2 prediction. If you were a betting man…..
Looking good all round I’m looking forward to and good display and a 2 – 0 win COYI !!!!!!!
The weathers looking good, but be warned…The temperatures up here in Lancashire have been several degrees lower thanLondon. You’ll notice the difference if you’re travelling up.
Isn’t it going to be a test for Gianfranco actually having a squad where he has to choose players!! It’s so exciting seeing the team so motivated and fighting for places. It’s a long time since we’ve looked so good. I’m feeling very confident for tomorrow. My biggest wish is for Carlton to get a couple of good goals to set on his way.
Wigan 1 West Ham 3.
I’m predicting a 2-0 win to West Ham.
This article contains some very good statements from Martinez. I don’t know much about him before but I definitely have respect for him now.
http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11661_5553184,00.html
Can’t wait to see Diamanti play, doubt Behrami will start but expect him to get a good 30 mins.
I agree with Shropshire that Wigan will be no push over, however I think our quality backline and midfield will be the difference. Victory by 1 or 2 goals I think.
Ive had 200 pounds on at 9/4 greatest bet on the Hammers of all time Wigan are poor!
Where is Dyer?
Guess what! Lawro predicting a West Ham loss for today. Thats a big surprise aint it.
If Lawro was spot on every week we would be relegated with a grand total of 0pts. What a useless man he is. Cant stand this man.
“By all accounts Faubert has equipped himself well”
Really? What with, a reinforced jock strap? night vision goggles? a snorkel maybe.
Hi All,
I must apologise. In good faith I posted on here a message from the Calum Davenport group which appeared on Facebook. It seems that the information contained within it was inaccurate.
I received the following this morning (below). Sorry for that.
Graybo
*******
Subject: Update on Calum
All,
Calum is still in hospital. This is the official news at present.
An unofficial source advised the group otherwise that he was now recovering at home but I have received numerous messages to advise this isn’t the case and Calum is indeed still in hospital. The unoffical source has been reported and will be banned from the group.
The group is sorry for any inconvienience caused.
Get Well Soon Calum Group
I think we will win 2-0
On the basis that I never get predictions right (other than telling people to stop panicking while we were 0-1 down to Millwall going into the last 15 mins), I am duty-bound to stick with my ‘disappointing draw’ verdict for this one, in the vain hope that this will somehow bring about a thrilling 3-5 success.
GoPiano…
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