This weekend West Ham travel to Leicester where we again try to harvest a few points that will ensure we stay up this season. I see that Nobes is saying that we will not be having a last day nail-biter, so I expect him at least to have his game of the season on Saturday. Ahead of the game I spoke to Chris Forryan of online fanzine leicestertilidie to discuss the season, and the game.
Hi Chris, this weekend you take on a West Ham side desperate to gain points to help them avoid the drop. We are obviously unhappy with the way things have gone for us, but how do you sum up your season?
A rollercoaster – bad start, upturn on the arrival of Puel, downturn the last few months
Claude Puel came in to eventually replace Claudio Ranieri: given that you predicted you would finish the season between 8th and 10th, and here you sit in 9th place, how do the Leicester fans think he has performed?
On a recent poll of Leicester till I die fans 96% wanted him sacked – ‘nuff said’
Not the impression given early on in the season, how quickly things change. You did not seem to be impressed with the appointment of David Moyes as West Ham manager, so I expect you would say his has lived down to your expectations?
I just don’t think he is a manager to take a team forward. If you are happy in bottom half safety then he is your man but I wouldn’t want him at Leicester.
Which Leicester City players have impressed this season, and conversely who has underperformed?
Ndidi, Silva & Iborra – a midfield we can build a new team round.
Underperformed? This would be unfair of me to answer as going on the past few games it has been hard to players to perform well in an untried formation and out of position.
What have been the highlights and lowlights of the season?
FA Cup run, we were unlucky to go out after a rush of blood to the head of Schmeichel.
Lowlights? The start and the finish to the season.
Are West Ham going to be relegated? Who are your picks for the drop?
No I think you will be safe. WBA, Stoke and looking at their run in Huddersfield.
What are your hopes on the playing side for next season?
We start to need rebuilding, a new LB & RB are essential and possibly Musa back from Loan upfront.
Which if any West Ham players would you like to nick if we were to be relegated?
I haven’t seen enough of West Ham to choose any players tbh. Sorry.
How do you expect Leicester to setup against West Ham on Saturday/ Team/formation prediction?
No idea! Puel seems to pick a slip of paper out of the hat with his formation on for that week.
Are you feeling confident of victory, or are your players dreaming of their holidays? Prediction for score?
We have both to come back from heavy defeats, and while you are fighting for your life this is our last home game of the season and the players need to put on a performance after last week in front of their home crowd. Will probably be Mahrez’s last game so maybe see something special from him.
Going to go 2-1 to Leicester.
Well thanks to Chris for his time. I am going to have to disagree with his prediction and go for a 1 – 2 win for West Ham. Surely if David Moyes is going to be our manager next season, then he has got to be able to get the boys up for getting something from this game. COYI