Match Day Thread West Ham vs Norwich Wednesday, January 12, 7.45pm.

We are awaiting content on here

 

I already gave you content. What more do you want, blood?

EDIT: My original content said that the last game had been a 'depressing spectacle'. Why would I need to add anything new?

 

Content incoming.....















Normann may return tomorrow after his hip replacement.

 

Miraculously we are still in touching distance of Watford who are probably going to sack Ranieri very soon

 

OK, Duncan, in response to your request, some content. Totally irrelevant, of course, None of that clever tactical football stuff you get from Rob or DH.

I have only ever known one West Ham supporter. He grew up in Windsor, his parents had retired to Bath, and yet he sounded as if he was born under the shadow of Bow Bells.

To be fair, at least he didn't talk about his 'trouble and strife'. Mainly because he wasn't married, which was completely understandable.

By the way, suddenly being responsible for the thread again after my last effort ended in a 0-5 home defeat, feels a bit like coming back from the dead. Could this be a good omen for the team?

 

Strangely enough, I find myself disappointed that Gilmour isn't playing. Somehow the midfield managed to look even worse without him in the first half against Charlton. God, we're in a mess.

 

I though Cromer did this thread , very confusing

 

While I don't expect much from this game, at least we have a decent number of players fit again. The squad we had available for the previous 3 league games was ridiculous, having 2-3 keepers and U23s on the bench just to make up the numbers. Pukki and Rashica looked reasonably sharp at Charlton but the Hammers will be a major test. A draw would be great, but a decent performance would at least provide hope for the games against Everton at home and Watford away.

 

Watford have lost 7 in a row after their 4-2 win over Manchester United back in November.

West Ham will be a tough nut to crack but there was a marked improvement after we scored against Charlton and hopefully the confidence may be creeping back.

To still be in touch with 17th after the horrendous run we have been on should give the group some motivation.

Trying my hardest to positive when we have a slender chance of dragging ourselves out of last place .


I personally believe our best chance of survival is to sell Cantwell and invest a sizeable chunk of that on a striker to compete with and eventually replace Pukki.

I have absolutely no idea who that could be the lazy option is to buy one of the Championship top scorers but we'll be competing with other struggling sides, being bottom won't be too attractive and prices are over inflated in January.

Perhaps another loan to buy option or something?

We need another Dean Ashton type signing.

Ben Brereton would be my choice 20 goals already and still only 22 .


Edit apparently Newcastle and Brighton are interested so no chance .

 

On the whole I disagree (although not with any confidence).

For me, I think sorting out the midfield must be our number one priority because if we don't create chances, it doesn't matter who's upfront. But I recognise that this risks an injury to Pukki and we are left with no one at all who can score.

There is also the problem of selling Cantwell for any kind of useful amount of cash. He hasn't exactly set the world alight this season, and with all the publicity around him, by now he must have a reputation as someone who has a poor attitude.

Finally, I tend to think any difference of opinion between us doesn't matter because we won't be buying anyone.

 

We are due an upset result.
I think we can win this

 

Idah looks completely bereft of confidence and should go out on loan to a team where he's likely to start .

That leaves Sargent as the second striker but as you say a suspenjury to Pukki and we don't have anyone .
Even Dickson Peters has gone to Gillingham , perhaps Hugill will be sent back but he's not exactly doing much at Baggies.

We need a goal scorer to give us any chance of survival or for a push next season in the Championship

 

Chris Sutton is available

 

We,at least, know he can score goals.

 

I think Rashica can play up front, and Tzolis has done as well. That would however leave us with Placheta, Dowell, Tzolis and Cantwell, if he stays, as the wing options.

 

Rashica often plays in a front 2 for Kosovo and that might be a better option than playing as the principal striker. He seems to be building a good relationship with Teemu and that could be effective in a 3-5-2 formation. The other possibility is for Hugill to return. He didn't really fit Farkeball but might be a useful option under Smith.

 

Hugill has one goal in 1000 minutes (20 appearances) for WBA this term, and only scored 5 last season for Norwich (a goal every 900 minutes). At that rate we'd be lucky to get 2 goals out of him in the rest of the season. His biggest value was as a "defensive striker" to bring on towards the end of a game when we were holding to a league and the penalty box was under siege from high balls. He was also best when he had Quintilla crossing for him, do we have any really strong crossers this season? Hard to say when it's not a tactic we're really using.

I don't see Hugill as a solution, but maybe if we're confident on Pukki's fitness maybe recalling Hugill and loaning Idah might be a better use of those players. Idah out getting game time, Hugill on our bench rather than WBAs.

 

I agree, I don't see that replacing Idah with Hugill would improve things, however I can't see it making things any worse.