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Cardiff City - A chance to 'freshen' Things?

I have to admit to being absent on Saturday, due to Doctors orders. Now, I do not usually listen to the medical profession where West Ham are concerned, but it is reflective of how under the weather I felt that I complied for once. Hopefully, I will be back for the Cardiff City cup match, all being well.

And I have to also say that it was a very novel experience listening to the radio coverage of a match for the first time in years. Those radio commentators, particularly the ex-professionals, leave a lot to be desired. Still, in the absence of an internet link, it was the best that I was going to get. It did not sound that we played that badly, although it has to be admitted they were facing a better team. Going 1-0 and 2-1 in the lead, meant that Everton were always chasing the match. It was just that extra bit of quality in the final third that costs us all three points. In terms of positives, Morrison had his best PL match to date, Rat played a full 90 minutes, Jarvis looked dangerous, Nolan showed his experience for the penalty and Petric looked useful when he came on. The fact is we were competitive and I have attended this fixture in the past when that has been less the case. The result was cruel, but that is often the PL for you.

So, perhaps, we can use the mid-week Capital One Cup tie, against Cardiff City, to refresh things up a bit. The temptation will be to deploy a first 11, in recognition of the fact that we are playing PL opposition. Yet, it would be a great shame if the likes of Famino, Moncur and Lee were not at least on the bench tomorrow night. Who knows, perhaps Sam Allardyce might find the courage to start with Moncur instead of Nolan or Noble. Alternatively, perhaps Lee might get a start up front, alongside Petric? And why not? Those youngsters showed against Espanyol that they are maturing fast and have the technical skills to handle the first team.

But is this the time to include them? Sam Allardyce is famously conservative in these matters and the likelihood is that they will not start with the youngsters. Although, Noian may be rested following the knock he picked up on Saturday. So, there may be scope to do something there. The betting is that Allardyce will play it conventional team, with perhaps one surprise starter. It is certain that following two consecutive home defeats, to Stoke City and Everton, he will want to stop the rot with a win against Cardiff City. Indeed, if we go out of the cup on Tuesday, the media will quietly rightly present it as minor, early season crisis. Everyone at the club will want to stop that narrative at all costs.

It is so difficult to call, at the moment, with our goal scoring issues. Personally, I am hopeful that we will have too much for Cardiff City and will run out 2-1 winners.

SJ. Chandos.

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