West Ham Utd 1 Southampton 1 (14/02/12)

[Aceface]

Even though it's a Tuesday, it's Valentines Day, and it's going to be brass monkeys, still surprised this hasn't sold out.

Don't think I'd be having Demel anywhere near the team for this even if his injuries have finally cleared. One cock-up in defence caused by ring-rustiness could be the difference between us staying top or not

[EvilC]

McCartney is injured? Arse.

[Sloop John B]

Must win home game, I reckon we'll get done over tbh.

[Countryboy]

One key to the game is the fact that Southampton have played twice since we last played, and one of the games - the 3-2 Cup loss to Millwall - went to extra time (tho they played only half the first team in that game). On the face of it that's an advantage to us. But it often takes teams who've had 10 days off a while to get going, so I'd expect Southampton to be much sharper in the first 20 minutes, especially since they won well on Saturday.

That means Allardyce has to really get into the players to hit the ground running and they have to show 100% energy and commitment from the whistle.

The longer the game goes on, the more our time off will become an advantage. If we're 0-0 after 30 mins, I'd put good money on going on to win. But if we let them get a goal or two in front, then we're going to be in big trouble.

There may be something to be said for starting 4-5-1 and then going to 4-4-2 or an attacking 4-3-3 (eg Maynard, Vaz Te, Cole) after 55/60 mins.

[sutts07]

Has anyone flowing West Ham on Twitter or Facebook seen the pictures of training today?

Bibs v Shirts match seems to have Demel at left back next to Tomkins and Ried.
Fabuert, Noble, Collison and Cole are also in Shirts.

[steptoe61]

Has anyone flowing West Ham on Twitter or Facebook seen the pictures of training today?

Bibs v Shirts match seems to have Demel at left back next to Tomkins and Ried.
Fabuert, Noble, Collison and Cole are also in Shirts.

Penalty for the shirts !

[Tristan Shout]

One key to the game is the fact that Southampton have played twice since we last played, and one of the games - the 3-2 Cup loss to Millwall - went to extra time (tho they played only half the first team in that game). On the face of it that's an advantage to us. But it often takes teams who've had 10 days off a while to get going, so I'd expect Southampton to be much sharper in the first 20 minutes, especially since they won well on Saturday.

That means Allardyce has to really get into the players to hit the ground running and they have to show 100% energy and commitment from the whistle.

The longer the game goes on, the more our time off will become an advantage. If we're 0-0 after 30 mins, I'd put good money on going on to win. But if we let them get a goal or two in front, then we're going to be in big trouble.

There may be something to be said for starting 4-5-1 and then going to 4-4-2 or an attacking 4-3-3 (eg Maynard, Vaz Te, Cole) after 55/60 mins.

no it didnt

[sutts07]

Who is that playing on the left for the shirts in the background?

Vaz Te??

[Saint Radders]

And also the away support will be 3,033

[Matt of iron]

And also the away support will be 3,033

Good turn out from you lot.

[west ham15]

And also the away support will be 3,033

Only here for the West Ham.........

[steptoe61]

And also the away support will be 3,033

Are you bringing your wives/girlfriends....?

[riksdodgydeals]

green

joey tomka reid linda
faubs noble diop taylor
baldock cole

faye, lans, collison, vaz, maynard

[Hambrosia Stu]

We surely have to start something like this:-

No Diop, stick Tomka or Faye in midfield, & Reid at CD
No Linda, I guess young Potts is the best option

Start solid, but ready to attack. In that formation there is plenty of scope to change things around later in the game

Balders or Maynard come on to make it a 4-4-2 - maybe Collison going off. Or if we needed to go for it, Collison could drop back with Noble, and the holding player withdrawn
Vaz Te gives us another wide/attacking option
If Collison isn't cutting the mustard in the middle, we have O'Neill or even Morrison who can swap in a like-for-like whilst keeping the same formation

A draw wouldn't be the worst result - better for us than them, imo.
They'll look to attack, I imagine, so we should start with the above formation and look to pick them off, imo. Faubert & Taylor getting forwards whenever possible, and Collison close to Cole whenever possible. Noble pulling the strings from deeper....

[Saint Radders]

Are you bringing your wives/girlfriends....?

Ha, as I just put on Twitter, my GF said "why is every other partner wearing sexy underwear and I will be wearing thick socks and a fleece"!! Im taking you to London arnt I!!!!

[EvilC]

Given the dearth of options at left back I'm glad to see McCartney in those pictures.

[TheAlmightyAmmer]

0-1 90+4 shot from halfway line

[sutts07]

Who is that playing on the left for the shirts in the background?

Vaz Te??

Also... who are the defenders? Bald guy and dark hair guy in white socks? Guessing the dark hair one George John?

[Yea Why Not]

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[wizzo_66]

Also... who are the defenders? Bald guy and dark hair guy in white socks? Guessing the dark hair one George John?

Bald guy hasn't got a bib on and is Faubert. So that looks like Faubert and Vaz Te either side of Cole.