West Ham Build-up

[Matt]

Weird that this is a Monday game, can't remember the last one? Villa at home maybe?

So Aurelio and Torres are out and Keane will come back in. I feel sorry for him, he's struggling a bit and I don't think having him up there on his own is doing much to help. With that in mind I'd put Dirky up there with him and bring in Yossi on the right (I'd like to see Babel there but I don't see it happening).

Something like this:

Reina

Arbeloa Carra Agger Dossena

Yossi Gerrard Alonso Riera

Kuyt Keane

[rage]

if we don't win its over. ok maybe being a bit dramatical but its past time we started playing well, creating chances and winning well.

really think if babel doesn't play then somethings really wrong there

[Guest]

if we don't win its over. ok maybe being a bit dramatical but its past time we started playing well, creating chances and winning well.

really think if babel doesn't play then somethings really wrong there

[Neil Young]

if we don't win its over. ok maybe being a bit dramatical but its past time we started playing well, creating chances and winning well.

really think if babel doesn't play then somethings really wrong there

[rage]

you'd make a really good scumbag misquoting journo i think

[kevshim]

Hopefully Kuyt will continue his goal scoring form in Torres' absence. It will free up right side of midfield, Benayoun or Babel will no doubt be the main contenders, personally I hope Babel gets the nod, or even give El Zhar a shout.

[Matt]

if we don't win its over. ok maybe being a bit dramatical but its past time we started playing well, creating chances and winning well.

really think if babel doesn't play then somethings really wrong there

You get slated on here but I'm with you on 'it's over' thing. Yes there's been a few surprises so far this season and no doubt a few to come but we've already dropped 4 easy points at home.

I think Rafa will be Rafa and as such Babel will stay benched. Certainly no guarantee that he would have played anyway but making unhelpful comments won't elevate his cause.

[Pablo]

It makes me sick to the stomach that Torres is out, now more than ever Keane simply has to step up to the plate and start finding the back of the net, any title hopes we have hinge on it.

[Matt]

It makes me sick to the stomach that Torres is out, now more than ever Keane simply has to step up to the plate and start finding the back of the net, any title hopes we have hinge on it.

Effectively we've lost Torres until the New Year. Even if he's back playing in a fortnight it takes him just as long to get back to standard.

[kevshim]

It makes me sick to the stomach that Torres is out, now more than ever Keane simply has to step up to the plate and start finding the back of the net, any title hopes we have hinge on it.

I posted this on RAWK.

When I heard the news, it never felt as bad as it should of.

We've coped well without Torres, and he has struggled since his return. Maybe it's because he might have been rushed back to early - no one really knows apart from the club.

Kuyt can step upto the mark as he's proved recently.

The club really need to give Torres as much time as possible to recover, even if it means a longer lay off. A fully fit Torres at the end of the season is better than a half fit Torres in the middle of one, and it could be the difference come May.

[Neil Young]

You get slated on here but I'm with you on 'it's over' thing. Yes there's been a few surprises so far this season and no doubt a few to come but we've already dropped 4 easy points at home.

It's a preposterous conclusion. Even if we lose to West Ham we'll only be three points behind at the most.

What would you be saying if we swapped records with Chelsea? I can just imagine: "It's over because we've dropped nine points at home this season," followed by the inevitable "this is what I'd have done - why oh why oh why can't Rafa see it would have been better?"

Then again it's easy to slag off your team when it's less than perfect and you don't have to deal with the real world.

[ronanm]

I would go with

Reina
Arebloa Carra Agger Dossena
Benayoun SG Alonso Riera

Kuyt Keane

[Woobus]

if we don't win its over. ok maybe being a bit dramatical but its past time we started playing well, creating chances and winning well.

really think if babel doesn't play then somethings really wrong there

So if United and Chelsea loss at the weekend and we draw the season is over for us??

[red g]

You get slated on here but I'm with you on 'it's over' thing. Yes there's been a few surprises so far this season and no doubt a few to come but we've already dropped 4 easy points at home.
I think Rafa will be Rafa and as such Babel will stay benched. Certainly no guarantee that he would have played anyway but making unhelpful comments won't elevate his cause.

and taken 6 'hard points' from scum and chelsea........ its called swings and roundabouts

[SB]

It's a preposterous conclusion. Even if we lose to West Ham we'll only be three points behind at the most.

What would you be saying if we swapped records with Chelsea? I can just imagine: "It's over because we've dropped nine points at home this season," followed by the inevitable "this is what I'd have done - why oh why oh why can't Rafa see it would have been better?"

Then again it's easy to slag off your team when it's less than perfect and you don't have to deal with the real world.

Are you sure you didn't nick that off the bitters website. Sounds like somethin they'd say.