Newcastle v West Ham Saturday April 17 @ 12:30 (on SKY )

Lukerz

We have to approach it as must-win, based on the fact that if we were to take 21 points out of 21 we will finish in the Champions League. I think we all accept that 2-3 poor results between now & the end are going to see the end of our challenge. I still believe if we can take 6 points from the next four games, leaving the final 3, we could well do it. On that basis it allows us to lose to Chelsea, but we would need to beat two of Newcastle, Burnley, Everton.

I really do think, with potentially Antonio & Rice to return for the final 3, we could take maximum points from those final fixtures if none of those sides have anything to play for.

MrsGrey

I wonder if Nobes is still our designated penalty taker?

alderz

MrsGrey said:

I wonder if Nobes is still our designated penalty taker?

Of course he is!

nychammer66

Hoping Everton and Spurs both today.

Lukerz

Win this & we’ll be 8 points clear of 7th

ASLEFshrugged

I was cursing, I got given a shift that starts at 1:23pm at Leytonstone so I wouldn't even see the first half

Then I found out there is engineering works, I don't get on a train until 3:17pm at Liverpool Street and they've given me almost 2 hours "travelling time" for a journey that will take me less than 45 minutes

It's an omen, we will win!

Brother_Sledge

I know we weren't great in the home game , but we did hit the bar twice and have a strong penalty shout for handball on the line. Things have been going our way more recently and hopefully that will continue today.

Lukerz

The good news is that if he decides to start both ASM & Wilson, they will both need to be replaced after 60 minutes, significantly weakening the side. I think we’ll see one of them start & the other on the bench. Bruce will also look at our last 3 games, & how we have been a first half side, & use ASM as an impact sub second half. I expect Wilson will start & ASM will be on the bench.

Jorderz_Moyes_will_be_Moyes

Nothing to comment. Just testing out my new profile pic.

Lukerz

Ex says it’s not an unchanged side...

Jorderz_Moyes_will_be_Moyes

This could be a game for Benrahma as they will sit deeper than our recent opponents.

Lukerz

Oggy looks like he’s back in

Fabianski
Dawson - Ogbonna - Diop
Coufal - Souček - Noble - Masuaku
Fornals
Bowen - Lingard

Is looking the likely side.

Hamstew

Oggy back in the squad.

OldCastleSwift

Rumours that Masuaku is out of this one

Lukerz

Ex says two changes

Lukerz

OldCastleSwift said:

Rumours that Masuaku is out of this one

Would be a blow with neither Cresswell or Masuaku

Lukerz

Ogbonna & Johnson in for Cresswell & Masuaku

IronHerb

That makes us stronger.

buffybegood

Hmmm, I can see why Moyes has done this, but, given Newcastle could be tough to break down, I don't feel Johnson offers enough going forward from LWB. It's nothing against him as a player, it's his wrong side and he struggles to have much impact offensively from there imo.

Ace of Clubs

1Fabianski
23Diop
15Dawson
21Ogbonna
5Coufal
16Noble
28Soucek
31Johnson
18Fornals
20Bowen
11Lingard
Substitutes
4Balbuena
7Yarmolenko
9Benrahma
10Lanzini
14Alves
24Fredericks
25Martin
34Trott
54Coventry

Lukerz

buffybegood said:

Hmmm, I can see why Moyes has done this, but, given Newcastle could be tough to break down, I don't feel Johnson offers enough going forward from LWB. It's nothing against him as a player, it's his wrong side and he struggles to have much impact offensively from there imo.

Yeah a bolder call would have been a back four with Johnson at LB, Ogbonna & Dawson in the middle & then Benrahma as a more attacking option.

MrsGrey

Masuaku not in the squad so assuming he's injured/covid-ed

Moyes did refer to some unspecified 'bumps and bruises' so hopefully it's just a knock for Arthur.

buffybegood

MrsGrey said:

Masuaku not in the squad so assuming he's injured/covid-ed

Fluid on the knee he had surgery on

Yeoldhammer

Johnson needs to put a performance in, he has looked very shaky last few times he has played.

ASLEFshrugged

ASM starts in place of Dwight Gayle otherwise the same side that lost to Burnley

Callum Wilson and Andy Carroll on the bench

Ace of Clubs

Didn't they beat Burnley?

OutcastLondoner

Lukerz said:

buffybegood said:

Hmmm, I can see why Moyes has done this, but, given Newcastle could be tough to break down, I don't feel Johnson offers enough going forward from LWB. It's nothing against him as a player, it's his wrong side and he struggles to have much impact offensively from there imo.

Yeah a bolder call would have been a back four with Johnson at LB, Ogbonna & Dawson in the middle & then Benrahma as a more attacking option.

More sensible as well, I think. Johnson looks so much more comfortable in a back 4 in my opinion. I think he might end up having to change this one at half time but let's see.

Pengeman

This is the team

West Ham United: Fabianski, Coufal, Diop, Dawson, Ogbonna, Johnson, Noble (c), Soucek, Fornals, Lingard, Bowen
Subs: Trott (GK), Martin (GK), Alves, Balbuena, Fredericks, Coventry, Lanzini, Yarmolenko, Benrahma

It is a defensive team which might pinch a goal on the break or from a set piece. The Loss of Cresswell and Masuaka blunts attacking possibilities of the left. Johnson rarely crosses the ball with his left foot and match Masuaku's dribbling skills. I guess if we go behind, Moyes will need to change the formation.

MrsGrey

ASLEFshrugged said:

ASM starts in place of Dwight Gayle otherwise the same side that lost to Burnley

Callum Wilson and Andy Carroll on the bench

Lukerz

I’m struggling to see how that side breaks down a side that’s going to put men behind the ball. I don’t like 3 CB’s in a back 3 & Johnson doesn’t work as a LWB.

Anyway, hopefully a solid 0-1.