Think back to Saturday (I know you’d rather not but stick with me). We’re losing against Liverpool, two of their goals scored by us, and generally having a nightmare with two first team players having to be subbed off due to injury. And then what happens to put the cherry on top? Captain Kevin Nolan commits a cynical challenge and gets himself a straight red.
And in the few seconds after that my bad mood was lifted. Because after weeks of not dropping him due to being either blind or very stubborn, Big Sam now has no option but to play without Nolan for the next three games! I have never actually felt this way before when a West Ham player gets sent off, and it feels odd but I am genuinely pleased Sam Allardyce has no option but to look elsewhere.
Hopefully it’ll mean that Jack Collison gets another go in the starting eleven – he can be a goalscorer from midfield, which we desperately need. I think the stat I remember most from the defeat at Anfield was that Luis Suarez has scored more goals than West Ham so far this season. We can’t just wait for the return of Anfy Carroll – we need goals and we need them now!
With Stewart Downing out as well with a nasty cut to his leg, it looks like we’re set for a midfield shake up. It’s a shame that Ricardo Vaz Te is out as well, as I think he would be our most natural replacement for Downing on the wing. I would imagine that Joe Cole will take up where Downing has left off, but it’s just unfortunate as Downing was really starting to shine.
Who would you like to see given their chance in the next few games? Leave a comment or tweet me at @alwaysintune.
We are indeed running short of options, aren’t we ? all the fans have their own line up, and we have seen that even with consensus, it doesn’t work with Allardyce, who sticks to his ideas.
Personally, I would like to see something like this :
Jussi; Demel, Collins, Tommo, Rat ; Jarvis, Noble, Diame, J cole; Morrison ; Lee….
Do note that I switch Jarvis to the right and put morrison slightly behind the centre forward. But, to be honest, we will probably have Taylor, and O’Brien, and Maiga, and Linda in the lineup… Together with Carroll on the bench (which psychologically might not be a bad idea).
The reason why I think both Lee and Morrison should lead our attack is because we won’t get anything with air balls. The only way to get through would be with combinations on the floor, and Morrison excels at that. He would also open gaps for others to dive in.
Some may say that it is not when times are tough you have to launch or test young players. Well, the situation requires it to happen. What have we got to lose anyhow ?
I agree with Arun Jarvis has to much to offer to live him out, and let’s stop playing players out of positions there not happy with it themselves and let’s get j collision back in and playing,meet jack the other day he’s not a happy bunny,and BFS needs to go now don’t wait for the Sunderland game.
N.B. When I say “What have we got to lose”, I am not forgetting that we must win against Sunderland, that we cannot afford to lose, i am just expressing that we have reached a point where it will not hurt to try Lee up front. I saw him play against Espanyol early in the season. He caused a very good impression and almost scored the first time he touched the ball, if it hadn’t been for a super save from the Spanish goalie.
Yes I would give Lee a chance as well- clearly the long term view is no Maiga or Cole, therefore why not plan to evaluate Lee- i would actually play him alongside Morrison up front leaving Noble and Diame in the middle with Collinson on the right and Cole on the left- jarvis is not suited to a game on the ground- beyond crosses (we have no big centre forward) he adds little. Demel and Linda with no choice on centre backs-
I wouldn’t even have Maiga on the bench but suspect playing him is our only hope of selling him – which must be the plan January
I would also be tempted to bring in more youth- Taylor is a waste of time, so who else is there?
I agree about the Skipper he hasnt had the best of starts. With Nolan out for 3 games it will give Sam chance to try something new. I would like to see Calton Cole and Diame upfront as 2 strikers in a 4,4,2 formation with Morrison and Noble holding and Joe on the right and Jarvis on the left. That should give us more shots on goal and create gapes in there defence. Lets hope we can come right soon. Come on u IRONS.
Your all falling into the trap of Allardyce!
Paul?!
Diame as a striker?!
Are you mad?
He’s a midfielder!
Like Yaya Toure but less defensive
Yes he can dribble, he’s he can cross and he can get the occasional shot off sometimes but he is not a striker!
Just like Allardyce thinks, he is also not a winger!
Also, despite Jarvis not being good at anything other than running and crossing, he is still talented enough to cross along the ground and he can use both feet!
Taylor is nothing in comparison!
Surely it should be:
Jussi
Demel Collins Tomkins Rat
Diame Noble
J. Cole Jarvis
Morrison
Maiga/Cole/Lee
Arun you might think im MAD but at the end of the day we need 2 physical strong lads upfront to connect with these crosses thats coming in from the wingers.And until ANDY comes back from injury we havent got much choice on the bench. I havent seen Lee play we dont get the reserve matches over here so i cant really comment on him. 1 striker upfront not good enough for me we must have 2 to split that defense other wise the lads are wasting there time with these crosses.
Anyone who seriously thinks thatlosing any player at a time like this is a good thing is clearly an idiot at best.
This is also our captain and a captain well respected by the team.
Nolan has been out of form and his place in the team is hard to justify but thinking that having your captain suspended at a time like this is a blessing is nothing more than a silent wish for relagation.
we are another player short in a desperately depleted squad.
You do the maths.
if my memory serves me correctly didn’t Nolan miss last year’s or the year before’s Christmas period due to suspension also. Reckon he likes some time off around now to party lol
Not sure whether he is a necessity in the team or not. As a leader maybe yes and a player maybe not but at least now with him missing for 3 weeks we can see what a difference he makes and maybe settle the argument.
Onr thing for sure last few years he paces himself and tends to pick up his performances towards the end of the season
I totally agree that Nolan’s loss is good for the team, he’s been appalling this season and he’ll probably enjoy the break as the fans are getting on his back increasingly with each game. There’s so much rubbish talked about Nolan that I wonder what games some people are watching – great captain? why? a great captain leads by example on the pitch not by what he says in the dressing room for example Moore, Bonds, Dicks, Martin etc etc. Goalscoring midfielder? how can you describe Nolan as a midfielder, that involves passing, tackling, heading and all the other things he doesn’t do, he virtually plays as a second striker. Goalscorer? last season he got 10, 3 of which were against Reading, already relegated at the time. This season, one goal and a number of horrific misses. He’s Sam’s love child, it’s the only explanation!!!!!
Would like to see Morrison & Lee up front. You don’t have to be six feet four to score goals. Hope Tonks is back soon though, otherwise our defence (not defense you lot) will suffer. As far as replacements for BFS go, we could do a lot worse than Steve McClaren at Derby. I can’t see Neil Lennon wanting to leave Celtic as some of the tabloids might suggest.
It’s about time Noble took over as captain anyway. Maybe we’ll have a new manager by the weekend anyway. Pepe Mel (formerly of Real Betis) will do just fine thanks very much. Everything has to change from Sam’s outfit of everything built around Nolan & Carroll. Nothing is working. Sam’s clutching at straws. It’s really bad where every team West Ham play now, you feel the opposition has a chance of winning. Change the manager & have a complete team clear out, but keep Diame & Morrison. If anything a team needs to be built around those 2!
It’s a blessing in disguises watched both matches palace and Liverpool over here In Egypt never been so embarrassed in my life to wear my west ham shirt how anyone can say Nolan is a good captain is beyond me still he gets another Christmas off to spend with his family
I would play for Sunderland game ;
Jussi
Demel
Tomkins
Collins
Rat (if fit )
Cole
Diame
Noble
Morrison
C.cole
Lee
In a diamond formation and go for it
And Dunlopilo, no we can’t lose against Sunderland because time is getting short now, as with the 3 games after that being aginst Man U, Arsenal & West Brom, meaning that a loss against Sunderland may mean West Ham ending up with a lousy 16 pts by the new year. I am sorry but having to win 24 pts from the remaining 19 games of the 2nd half of the season is a tall order for any team who has only won 16 from the previous 19 games. West Ham need a fresh face in charge & someone who can bring in around 4 players on loan now, just like Zola brought in around 10 talented European players. The FA have closed that loophole shut now, but yes, maybe Pepe Mel as manager could loan in some european talent NOW!!! Don’t wait for Sam’s grinding along to take us down the toilet. There are too many players in West Ham’s squad who just wouldn’t get a game in just about all of the other Premier League teams. They are out of their depth and it’s really beginning to show, as they were a sorry sight on Saturday! A clear out is needed NOW!
Spot on JB. I don’t know Pepe Mel but having read a few bits, he could be just what we need. You’re right about the lack of quality in our side. Some might be West Ham through & through but that doesn’t mean that they are the best about.
Our midfield lacks pace & our forwards never seem to be able to run across the back line of the opposition defence to receive a through ball, make diagonal runs or run into a space & lose their marker. Ross Berkeley was creating havoc at Arsenal yesterday with his forward runs & his tenacity. He’s the type of driving force we need.
Sorry, I mean’t to say that “Zola brought in around 10 talented European players for Watford on loan last season
Our next manager should be David Moyes. Hang on untill he is sacked, it shouldnt be long now.
Pardon me if I am wrong, but this is about all we have left. The team virtually picks itself. We are down to the bare bones, with the exception of unknowns like Chambers, The Aussie Tombides & Lletget. Tombides is a forward. We are having enough trouble with strike force lacking at the moment, so with a shortage of players I’d chose the American Lletget as the 7th sub as follows; (there’s no one else left)
Jääskeläinen, Demel,McCartney, Noble (capt), Collins, Tomkins, Joe Cole, Collison, Diamé, Carlton Cole, Jarvis
Substitutes
Adrián, Rat, O’Brien, Taylor, Maiga, Diarra, Lletget
I definitely wouldn’t start Maiga against Sunderland, but would bring him on at half time for Calton Cole if he’s still off form or bring Maiga on with Carlton & really go for goals as I think everyone had a gutfull of all of Sam’s gridlocking of games. We need goals & wins!
We need players who can run 90 mins and pass the ball to the own team. The current squad lacks pace and skill and therefore a disaster is hiding around the corner…
There are players at west ham with ability but they are instructed by BFS to lump it forward. Pepe Mel would get them playing it on the floor then maybe strikers (even Maiga) can make runs along the back for through balls instead of just standing in the middle waiting for a long ball to flick on to nobody. Need Sam out before its to late and certainly don’t want him here still in January buying more ex-Bolton players or hasbeens.
Sorry, my mistake, I’d forgotten that Morrison was only serving a 1 mtach ban. This team virtually picks it’s self, there’s no one else left;
My Team selection; For West Ham v Sunderland
Saturday 14th December 2013
Jääskeläinen
Demel
McCartney
Noble
Collins
Tomkins
Joe Cole
Morrison
Diamé
Carlton Cole
Jarvis
Substitutes
Adrián
Rat
O’Brien
Taylor
Maiga
Diarra
Collison
Mark should just take over, stuff Sam, stuff Nolan, bring us in the three points aginst Sunderland Mark Noble!
Lets play Adrian on the weekend give Jaaskelainen rest .I havent been very impressed with him since the Norwich game. Adrian is young and eager to impress lets give him a chance to dazzle us .
Yes, I agree Paul, because Liverpool’s 1st goal was not Demels fault, as Demel was obviously expecting Jussi to hold the ball when he received it & just ran in to cover & protect his keeper. He wasn’t expecting the keeper to push the ball out & into him as he was running into cover & couldn’t possibly have got out of the way. Yes Jussi started the rot against Norwich, & he started the rot against Liverpool. He’s obviously rattled with the pressure he & the team are now under thanks to Sam’s lack of strike force. I mean he was expected to protect just a 1-0 lead against Norwich. There are not enough goals in Sam & the team’s tactics. Maybe Adrian comes from a country where they are more used to protecting 1-0 leads because that it seems, is all that Sam is able to get us. For me, Jussi was our player of the season last year & had to make more saves than any other Premier League keeper & he marshalled & controlled his final 3rd of the pitch. A keeper is supposed to be the absolute boss of all team mates in this 3rd of the pich, maybe he is losing it, but this exposure or lack of cover he is receiving is continuing this season as well and I reckon he’s had enough & is starting to crack so yes, bring in Adrian & see how he does. He did OK against Burnley in the league cup & may relish the challenge
Jussi saved West Ham at least 10 points or more last season & was “THE” reason why West Ham didn’t get relegated, as without his saves West Ham would have got less points than Wigan. West Ham owe their very Premier League existence to him, but give him a rest for a while eh? He’s earned it!