West Ham Buildup

[Robbie-9-Fowler]

Rumours that Downing will start. ****s sake.

I'd much rather him not mate.

But he player pretty well against Udinese and we're an attacking player down so he could take Sterling's place and Sterling could become the front man.

His attitude seems a lot better this season and although I'd sell him, I can actually see why he's getting a game. Tracking back, decent crosses and a lovely pass in the final third in his last game, he also took a player on!!!

But fair ****s to him.

[danperkins]

Downing And Henderson have started way to much games recently.... getting like Kenny is back!

[Reece]

Aye if only Henderson hadn't started against Udinese then we may ha...... oh wait.

[Robbie-9-Fowler]

Aye if only Henderson hadn't started against Udinese then we may ha...... oh wait.

Yeah or Downing vs Anzhi

They're part of our small squad we need to use them.

[Gibbo]

Downing starting isn't really a surprise is it? I'd imagine that means Suso is on the bench, or Sterling is our false 9

[Shaggy]

Rumoured team: Reina Johnson Agger Skrtel Enrique Lucas Allen Gerrard Downing Shelvey Sterling

[Robbie-9-Fowler]

I think part of the reason Downing playing is that he's linking up well with Enrique lately which was never really there last year. Both in attack and defense.

--------------Reina
Johnson--Skrtel---Agger--Enrique
---------Lucas----Allen
-------------Gerrard
---Sterling---Shelvey---Downing

Is the way I think we'll go.

EDIT: Posted without seeing Shaggy's rumored team.. What's my prize?

[spud_gun]

Rumoured team: Reina Johnson Agger Skrtel Enrique Lucas Allen Gerrard Downing Shelvey Sterling

Playing the Craig Levein patented 4 - 6 - 0 formation?

[Chris]

We really need the January window! But until then it is what it is, encouraging we've been able to grind out a few results lately as thats defo the only way we'll be able to win today without Suarez.

[JohnDoe]

Shelvey's playing up front.

[Fosterbloke]

Would be lovely to have Ba up front if Suarez isn't available.

[RedReet]

Have to say, I do feel a million times more confident with Lucas in the side. Get one goal and we'll win.

Actually had a dream that Lucas got 2 (not sure who against), one was an accidental deflection, one a lovely curled effort. Lucas.

[dww]

Playing the Craig Levein patented 4 - 6 - 0 formation?

I'm going to hope it is more the variant used by roma (was it under spaletti, I forget and predictive text is not helping with its determination to replace all Italian names with food stuffs?), united and Spain/barcelona. That said it does contain downing. I thought the formation did well enough against young boys.

[Robbie-9-Fowler]

With Everton playing Tottenham and West Brom losing again today has the potential to be a really good day.

Ideally Tottenham get a point at woodison and we get a victory without Luis.

That'd have us 10th on 22 points 5 points off 4th place and 2 points off Everton with Villa and Fulham at home next 2 games. Hope the players are really up for this, we need it.

EDIT: I know if Everton won and we won we'd be just 4 points off 4th but I can't bring myself to wanting them to win

[Chris]

With Everton playing Tottenham and West Brom losing again today has the potential to be a really good day.

Ideally Tottenham get a point at woodison and we get a victory without Luis.

That'd have us 10th on 22 points 5 points off 4th place and 2 points off Everton with Villa and Fulham at home next 2 games. Hope the players are really up for this, we need it.

EDIT: I know if Everton won and we won we'd be just 4 points off 4th but I can't bring myself to wanting them to win

Yep, this would be a huge, huge win. The position in the table still wouldn't look good but we'd have a bit of momentum, confidence and be well in the mix with two nice home games to come.