The performance from West Ham against FC Astra at the Boleyn Ground was full of promise for the first hour of the game, with the attacking trio of Valencia, Payet and Zarate looking very sharp but as the game progressed the West Ham we have become so used to surfaced. Valencia went off injured and yet another red card killed our chances of winning the first leg. We now face a very difficult test in Romania on Thursday made even more difficult with the Arsenal fixture scheduled for three days later.
Bilic stated after the game at Upton Park that the Premier League is the main priority this season so we can expect a slightly weakened team that will take to the field in Romania. Despite this, as a fan I would have expected us to at least reach the playoff round if not the group stage relatively comfortably.
However, we have struggled through thus far and have picked up suspensions and injuries as well. This season is arguably the most important in the club’s history and we need to stay up no question so is a long stint in the Europa league beneficial or catastrophic?
Financially, the Europa League is obviously beneficial and hopefully we get the money spent on players that will improve the team on the pitch because you can have the best stadium in the world but if you can’t win a game it seems worthless. The issue I have with the Europa league is when you look at the premier league form of the teams that have played in the competition in recent years.
Liverpool, Everton and Tottenham, three clubs who probably have a better squad depth than us have all struggled to deal with the work load of fighting on two fronts. I worry that when we travel back from Russia or Ukraine in the group stages, providing we make it that far, and then have to fly to Newcastle for the Sunday, the travelling will take its toll on performances.
Ultimately the only way to eradicate this issue is simply to invest further before the end of the transfer window to add a depth of quality in the squad which can cover injuries aswell as ensure we can be successful whilst rotating the squad.
I am aware we must focus on the opening game in The Premier League against Arsenal so because of this the team I would select in the second leg against FC Astra would be this:
Granted this could be made stronger but to ensure we have the best possible chance against Arsenal, what do you all think?
Best Stadium in world don’t make me laugh gooners have 2nd most expensive in uk and 10th in Europe that’s a stadium m8
Shut up you nob
Gooners ! Gooners !! Who the f**k are they ? .
I like to just see how far we can go with this Europa league games , but if we crash out in the next round gianluca it won’t be the end of the world, I’d rather see us turn over that little north London club called ARSenal coz let’s face it they are definitely smaller than the spuds , COYI !!.
For all of Arsenal’s so called greatness, one should never forget, that Arsenal have never won a European trophy. That’s right, “never”. They have been in a Champions League final & a Europa League final, but no trophy. We won a European trophy 50 years ago, after Spurs became the 1st English club to win a European trophy in 1963, we did it 1965. So win, lose or draw in Romania tonight, we can go to Arsenal on Sunday with these proud fact (and shocking facts for Arsenal) in mind and our heads held high. We can win in Romania tonight. I have absolutely no doubt about that, so come on you claret & blues, lets do it. COYI