This week David Moyes leads West Ham into his first home game at the London Stadium against Leicester City. He will be hoping (as will we all) that West Ham can hit the net with a couple of chances they create. Ahead of the game I had a chat with Chris Forryan from “leicestertilidie”:http://www.leicestertillidie.com to discuss what he thought about the fixture.
Chris, you have got us in the Friday night fixture this week, are you feeling confident you can beat a ‘bottom three’ team?
I’m a Leicester fan, we are never confident about anything.
Having sacked your manager less than a year after guiding you to Premier League victory, Slaven Bilic’s sacking will have come as no surprise to you?
Nothing surprises me in football these days and after Leicester’s manager sacking history of late It would be wrong of me to criticise West Ham’s decisions.
What do you think of his replacement David Moyes?
Lets just say I’m glad you got him!!
How do you rate your current manager Claude Puel?
Craig Shakespeare was a great #2 but had no tactical nous when it came to making game changing substitutions.
Early days but at least Puel has that nous and, to be fair, not a bad signing I believe.
After the heady days of two years ago where do you think you will finish this season?
With our new manager 8th – 10th
Where do you think West Ham can realistically finish the season?
16th or 17th if you are lucky. For me Moyes was the wrong replacement for you.
Which three teams do you think will suffer relegation and who will lift the title this season?
Palace, Swansea and if they stick with Unsworth (who again is tactically inept) Everton.
N’golo Kante seems to have been irreplaceable, apart from his loss are you happy with the make-up of your squad?
Ibbora & Maguire have been great signings. Silva when we finally get him in January will give us strong midfield options. One thing Shakespeare (and his team) did well was our signings this season.
I can recall in your Premier League winning year, you looking very impressive beating us right at the beginning of the season, 1 – 2. I’ve just looked up the details because I was sure taht Vardy scored, apparently not, but he ran us ragged all afternoon. Any memories of West Ham/Leicester games of the past?
Last seasons 2-2 draw with the Vardy dismissal. A draw that felt like a win at the time.
Mmm, I seem to remember a dodgy penalty in that game…If you could have any current West Ham player in your first team who would you choose and why?
To be fair don’t know enough about your players to choose, but to be honest if he can get them playing well our team is strong enough to do well this season so don’t know where anyone would fit in.
Which Leicester player(s) will be key to your hopes this season?
Maguire, Gray & Vardy
How do you expect Leicester to setup against West Ham on Friday/ Team/formation prediction?
4-4-1-1 with Mahrez just behind Vardy
Prediction for score?
3-1 To Leicester
Thanks again to Chris for his time. Not a David Moyes fan you would say! Well you can’t blame him for feeling confident, but you’d have to hope that Moyes has prepared for this game as well as any other, and that the players have responded accordingly. I’ll go for a 2 – 1 win. Come on you Irons!