I don’t know why I have an optimistic feeling about this afternoon’s game. It’s totally irrational, I know. We’ll see. Whatever happens I doubt the game will rival last week’s game for entertainment value. What a shame it is that Carlton Cole is ruled out and won’t be back until January. He would have loved this game. But we shouldn’t be too downcast. Guillermo Franco is proving that he can lead the line well, andif his form continues to impress like it did last week I suspect we will all be happy. The big question today is what format will Zola play, and if he sticks to 4-4-2, who will play alongside Franco. Hines is the obvious choice due to his speed and trickiness (and his ability to win penalties). However, Nouble is staking an increasing claim for a start, although it would be a brave manager who put him in against Man U. Diamanti is fit again and is a possibility, but I suspect he will start on the bench. The other option Is Kieron Dyer, who was apparently none too pleased not to be in the squad last week. Dyer’s speed would compensate for Franco’s lack of it. He appears to be raring to go and maybe this is his time. I have always thought he would still have a role to play if only he can keep fit.
In midfield, I expect Noble to come in to replace the hapless Kovac, if he recovers from a minor virus, with Stanislas retaining his place alongside Collison and Parker. Upson is still not ready so the back four is likely to remain the same as last week with Danny Gabbidon slotting in alongside Da Costa.
If we win this afternoon, it will be the third time in four home games we have beaten the mighty Man U and we could go up to 12th, which is where our form probably places us all other things being equal. We haven’t kept a clean sheet since August 29th though, but wouldn’t today be a great day to do it? On the bright side, we have only lost by more than one goal once. So all is not desperate on the defensive front!
Prediction: No, don’t want to tempt fate, but I’d happy with 1-1!
Looking forward to the game today. I think Hines deserves a start. I would play my Granny rather than Kovac. Is Behrami fit yet? he backtacks well and we need the midfield to help out our defence today to stop the crosses that cost us last week.
1-1 Ian? I guess I would settle for that but we are due a win against Essex Utd.
Nice report Iain if not a little optimistic! I agree West Ham have a good solid back line but without Cole you might just lack firepower upfront. I think the quality in Man Utd midfield could ultimately prove to be the difference. But what do I know, I support Wolves!
I too have an optimistic feeling about todays game, since arriving home we have gone from 'can't score' to 'can't defend' and are very much the unpredictable old Irons. I would like to see Dyer start out on the right with Collison working alongside Parker in the middle and have Stanislas over on the left. Then move Collison out to the left and bring on the Diamond Geezer early in the second half and go and have a go at the Manc's. Defensively we are just leaderless and I think Parker might be a shining example and lead from the front, the debate over Lucash goes on I guess but being held to ransom is te what you do to West Ham fans and so letting him go for me was the right thing .
Up front Franco and Hines … both to score in a come from behind 2-2 draw … see you all there …
V optimistic pov but I’m with you . Need to dig deep and hope fergie picks his usual under strength team at up and we can take the chances that come our way. Agree totally on kovac but I would go for jack in a more central role , Hines out wide and go for dyer just behind franco to use his pace but zola isnt that brave . I suspect it will be noble who comes In. Would love to bring in diamanti but maybe off the bench will be better today. My real worry is right back as spector was awful last week and faubert isnt much better … Maybe dyer could play there ? Giggs could have a field day like he did last season. something today and our season could change. COYI”s !!!
Starting Nouble against Manchester Red would be madness (or genius?). I don't think Zola will rush him into the first team like that, but we will probably see him used as a sub at some point while Cole is in the treatment room. I expect to see Hines start up with Franco to play off their back four. I hope you're right about Noble over Kovac.
In Dyer and Diamanti we have two attractive attacking options that can offer us something a bit unpredictable, which we may well need to break down United's defense. I think it will be difficult to score in open play but can easily imagine a penalty against Vidic on Hines – Vidic is such a dirty defender and refs are getting wise to this. Having said that I don't feel good about this game and I think we will get beat 0-2.
I agree that if fit Noble should start and hopefully that will improve our ball retention. I imagine we will retain the back four from last week, that would mean Gabbidon not Tompkins. It would not surprise me if he errs on the side of caution and has somebody playing behind Franco rather than alongside him and it would not surprise me if that were Jiminez. Whilst I accept he has been less than inspirational he retains the ball well and that position may suit him. Personally I would go for Dyer if he can last an hour and then depending on the situation replace him for the last 30 minutes with either Diamanti or Hines. What we need to avoid doing is sitting back on the edge of our box and hoping we can keep them out, we won't. We need to defend fifteen yards higher up the pitch and try and apply some pressure to the ball. The trouble is that requires a strong personality in the back four…sadly lacking. I hate to say it but it was something Tony Adams used to do really well for Arsenal. Anyway fingers crossed.
Frankly I don't care what the score is or what team we put out as long as we score 1 more that Manure does! I also want to see their manager, who seems to think he has a divine right to abuse & insult referees, an unhappy man going home tonight. If we can win in style, so be it, but just for today I don't care how we play or how boring we might be, as long as we win!
I too am optimistic – mainly because I was skiing when we played them at home last season so I haven't seen them lose at home to Man U for ages.
I believe Tomka played at RB a few times last season and did a good job. Is it worth playing him rather than Specs? I really like Specs going forward but he makes me very nervous defensively. Also, since the sad departure of Ginge, our back four seem a bit little and Tomka is a bit more substantial.
OK as I am now thinking about Man U my optimism is being replaced by nerves….. COYI
looking forward to this one!
I really think we can win the midfield battle today,I don't really rate them in that department.
I think the key is, win that midfield battle and frustrate, get Rooney to drop deeper and deeper into midfield away from our goal,easier said than done.
Team
Green
RB:?
Da costa
Gabbs
Ilunga
Stanislas
Collison
Parker
Dyer
Franco
Hines
I'm sticking with my formation from the other day, chris.
4-4-1-1
Green
Faubert
Da Costa
Gabbidon
Ilunga
Dyer
Parker
Noble
Collison
Diamanti
Franco
I would use Hines and Stan as subs later in the game.
I think the key today is Pace in midfield,see you all there COYI!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I’m also optimistic iain! Realisticasly a draw is a good result though for us with injury problems and defensive panic recently!! I would love to see Diamanti with Franco or Dyer behind Franco, either way Hines will play at some point, hope he can get a goal like vs villa!!
COYI!
If dyer ever wanted a moment to shine for us this it. I think he will get hurt again but listen we need a bi performance today. COYI’
Keep Rooney quiet and stop Valencia getting in his crosses and the game is there to be won.
Manu are nothing special this season, Pompey carved them open on numerable occasions last week. Having said that, I still think we will struggle to win this.
OH, and congratulations to Ryan Giggs on his recent achievement. A true professional and role model for kids. Just have an off day today, please.