West Ham United v Liverpool | Buildup

[DannyMan2006]

I agree. In some games at home vs Stoke and so on Xabi and Stevi in the middle put masch on the bench be more positive play masch in the next away game but against stoke at least have to central midfielders who are forward thinking.

I think as proved over the run in that the 4231 formation is not to be blamed for a poor result.

Newcastle have played with three-four strikers lately and have failed to score a goal. That said, I do remember being quite non-plussed with some of Rafas choice of substitutions this season.

[Craig_H]

I have to agree as the buck stops with the manager.

But if our players knew how to shoot properly we'd have had the title wrapped up a long time a go. But then I guess you'd have to look at who takes the training sessions for shooting - Which would also be Rafas fault........

Of course the players also have a big influence - that's why i used the word 'a part' when i referred to the impact of rafa's decisions on results.

I certainly wasnt implying that it's entirely down to the manager, despite Neil Young's agenda-driven desire to think that i was.

[Will]

I think as proved over the run in that the 4231 formation is not to be blamed for a poor result.

Newcastle have played with three-four strikers lately and have failed to score a goal. That said, I do remember being quite non-plussed with some of Rafas choice of substitutions this season.

Formation is fine. Just the personell.

[Craig_H]

Well Lucas is verry calm and controlled on the ball isnt he? Hes suited to Serie "A" hes that slow. West Ham will be in his face all day harassing him hurrying him and he will become a liability.

That's a possibility. It's also fair to say that with more games and experience, he will be getting better at dealing with this.

I wouldnt pick him myself, but i wouldnt say that he would without doubt be a liability.

[Neil Young]

So you dont think Rafa plays a part in our results?

I said what he does has played a part in our home form & points tally.

Are you suggesting a manager's actions are merely incidental then and dont play a part in the fortunes/results of a tea?

Craig, I have no interest in discussing this further right now, if at all, and certainly not in this thread.

I recognise I can't change your mind and I've already made clear I find your argument unconvincing and arbitrary so let's leave it, eh?

And please stop setting up straw men to be provocative. You pick up on others doing it to you so how about a little consistency?

[Craig_H]

Craig, I have no interest in discussing this further right now, if at all, and certainly not in this thread.

I recognise I can't change your mind and I've already made clear I find your argument unconvincing and arbitrary so let's leave it, eh?

And please stop setting up straw men to be provocative. You pick up on others doing it to you so how about a little consistency?

I said the manager plays a part and you criticised this, suggesting that i was wrong in what i said - and when questioned on this, you decide you have 'no interest in discussing this further'

Cul-de-sac Mr Young. Nice try, mind.

You clearly have a problem with any notion of any blame or mistake/wrong-doing on the manager's part.

[Neil Young]

I said the manager plays a part and you criticised this, suggesting that i was wrong in what i said - and when questioned on this, you decide you have 'no interest in discussing this further'

Cul-de-sac Mr Young. Nice try, mind.

You clearly have a problem with any notion of any blame or mistake/wrong-doing on the manager's part.

I didn't say any of that. Stop being obnoxious.

[DannyMan2006]

Of course the players also have a big influence - that's why i used the word 'a part' when i referred to the impact of rafa's decisions on results.

I certainly wasnt implying that it's entirely down to the manager, despite Neil Young's agenda-driven desire to think that i was.

To be honest I would say it is all down to the manager. It's his team now so if a player performs badly the buck stops with him.

Judging how well Rafa has done is down to each individual person. I think he's done a great job for reasons that have been explained and argued in countless other threads, so I'll not croak on about it now.

As a manager you have to take the rough with the smooth. If we win I'll be giving him the praise he deserves as will you.

What would be funny though is that we could yet win and lose the league with 86 points. Are position is now down to how Man Utd perform. It is funny because if we win we'll all be praising him. If we don't there'll still be the critics hanging around the club, despite the final points total likely to be the same................

[Craig_H]

I didn't say any of that. Stop being obnoxious.

Just quite funny that you chose to cease participation at that point.

Simple question, do you think a manager plays a part in influencing results and fortunes of a club?

[Matt]

So, having seen next to nothing of West Ham all season, where are they strong?

Can they hurt us?

[wiw]

Just quite funny that you chose to cease participation at that point.

It's pretty obvious why he ceased participation at that point? Well it was to me. Anyway can we try and stay on topic a bit

Danny I'll change the title to the Builup thread

[Will]

Not conceeding goals scoring goals goin to tough places and winning playing well and this game will be a battle and i dont think Lucas is up for any kind of fight so id go Gerrard and Masch.

[Craig_H]

To be honest I would say it is all down to the manager. It's his team now so if a player performs badly the buck stops with him.

Judging how well Rafa has done is down to each individual person. I think he's done a great job for reasons that have been explained and argued in countless other threads, so I'll not croak on about it now.

As a manager you have to take the rough with the smooth. If we win I'll be giving him the praise he deserves as will you.

What would be funny though is that we could yet win and lose the league with 86 points. Are position is now down to how Man Utd perform. It is funny because if we win we'll all be praising him. If we don't there'll still be the critics hanging around the club, despite the final points total likely to be the same................

Well quite. Not entirely down to Rafa though. I mean, we'd ALL pick Nando & Stevie in the team. If they miss sitters, it's not down to Rafa.

I think he's done exceptionally well overall this season, whether we win the title or not. There have been fundamental errors though, which will still exist even if we do win the league. If we win it, it'll mean the errors have not cost us.

I think we'll end up 2nd though.

[Craig_H]

It's pretty obvious why he ceased participation at that point? Well it was to me. Anyway can we try and stay on topic a bit

Feel free to PM me the reason wiw. To me, it also seemed obvious, but obviously for a different reason to you.

The link to the topic is there mate, it's about Alonso being out, Lucas possibly replacing him and whether such a decision may cost us, as some feel similar decisions have done before.

[DannyMan2006]

So, having seen next to nothing of West Ham all season, where are they strong?

Can they hurt us?

From Lawro's predictions on the BBC.

West Ham have had a top season. Many thought they would be in trouble after all the financial problems they suffered in October/November.

It took a while for Gianfranco Zola and Steve Clarke to turn things around but they have done brilliantly and the Hammers can give anyone a good game.

However, they are playing a Liverpool side who have the bit between their teeth at the moment.

Verdict: 1-2

Match preview (BBC)

West Ham striker Carlton Cole is close to recovering from a groin injury but this weekend's game may come too soon.

Savio is back in the squad after illness but Scott Parker (groin) is out, along with James Collins (calf) and Kieron Dyer (hamstring).

Liverpool team news to follow later.



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West Ham (from): Green, Neill, Tomkins, Upson, Ilunga, Stanislas, Noble, Lopez, Kovac, Boa Morte, Collison, Tristan, Di Michele, Sears, Lastuvka, Spector, Payne, Hines, Savio.



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West Ham manager Gianfranco Zola:
"They are a team you'd rather play at their home than away as if you look at their record away it must be one of the best in the Premier League

"So it is a really tough match for us but my players are determined to beat one of the really top sides.

"If we can cause them problems then we can do well, but if we don't pose any threat to them, then they have so many good players that they will hurt us."

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7th 48 points
Highest achievable after Saturday's matches: 7th
Lowest could fall: 9th

Best & Worst categories in 2008-09 Premier League

1. Not beaten any of the six clubs above them in the table from 10 attempts; drawn four, lost six.

2. Won 11 and lost 11 of 31 Premier League games under Gianfranco Zola.

3. Completed 19 top-flight matches since a loss by more than a single goal; the most recent being 0-2, home to Tottenham on 8 December.

4. The current total of 48 points after 35 games is a point up on last season, when positioned 10th, where they ended the campaign.

5. Lost one of the 15 top-flight matches in which they've opened the scoring; home to Everton. Also, gone nine Premier League matches since conceding more than a single goal in a game; the 2-1 loss at Bolton on 21 February being the most recent.

6. The highest finish in 13 Premier League seasons was fifth in 1998-99, and the lowest 18th in 2002-03. Their average is 11th.

7. Won five of the last eight home league games.

8. Not beaten a member of the 'Big Four' (Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester United) this season (lost four, drawn three), nor in 10 matches against them since a 1-0 home victory over Liverpool on 30 January last year.

9. This is the first of back-to-back fixtures against the Merseyside clubs; must visit Everton next Saturday, and then end the season, home to Middlesbrough.