West Ham Build up (away)

[Assassin]

West Ham are all about brute force and ignorance. Therefore, I would go with;

--------------------------MIGNOLET-----------------------------

---------SKRTEL---------LOVREN------SAKHO-----------------

MANQ-------------------------------------------------MORENO

-----------HENDERSON-----GERRARD----LEIVA--------

------------------STERLING------------------------------------

-------------------------------------BALOTELLI----------------

[RedReet]

West Ham are all about brute force and ignorance. Therefore, I would go with;

--------------------------MIGNOLET-----------------------------

---------SKRTEL---------LOVREN------SAKHO-----------------

MANQ-------------------------------------------------MORENO

-----------HENDERSON-----GERRARD----LEIVA--------

------------------STERLING------------------------------------

-------------------------------------BALOTELLI----------------

Not so much now. Line up last match had in midfield/attack:

Noble- Not much to him
Kouyate- He is a big lad
Downing- Wimp
Zarate- Not very physical
Sakho- Looks over 6ft
Valencia- Nippy

So, only really 2 big brutes that you'd expect from a fat Sam team.

I imagine they'll probably add a bit more strength for our game (maybe Song), but they do have a few footballers in that side.

[Mike]

Due some luck in this match, considering we got none there last year. Still can't believe their goal stood

Same XI as the other night I think it'll be. Possibly Skrtel for Lovren.

[Maxiedge]

So are you saying it's either Borini or Lallana? Or Lallana in behind the 2 strikers? If so we have 3 players to play the same position yeah?

Yeah basically, unless we play our other formation (one striker).

That's my take on it but will be interesting to see what team we put out. Will Rodgers persist with Coutinho in midfield role?

[Myo]

Using the team that Frank put up, a case could be made for adding Gerrard and Coutinho to any weak link list so far this season.

Amen...

[Camble]

Here's the team I'd play:

Mig
Manquillo-Skrtel*-Lovren-Moreno
Lucas*-Hendo-Coutinho*-Sterling
Borini-Balotelli


*Skrtel playing if fit in place of Sakho. I think the best partnership is going to be Skrtel/Lovren in the long run. I'm not a Sakho hater but I think his decision making isn't great at times. Lovren's is ropey at times but I think given time he'll cut that down/out.

*Lucas to replace Gerrard because there's no chance Stevie will be fully fit. If Can was available I'd play him but he's not.

*Coutinho has been poor but with the lack of Allen/Can I think we'll have to go with him. Playing Gerrard and Lucas gives us no legs in midfield and although Coutinho is weak I think he can do a job.


Upfront we've struggled so far with just Balotelli up top because he lacks pace and movement which is what we relied on last year with SAS. Playing Borini will at least stretch them and try to reduce our crossing in which won't work against many teams especially WH.

[Muddled]

That line-up is eye-scratchingly awful.

[frank the tank]

That line-up is eye-scratchingly awful.

[Bender]

That line-up is eye-scratchingly awful.

He's using this Version 2.0

[SB]

Yeah basically, unless we play our other formation (one striker).

That's my take on it but will be interesting to see what team we put out. Will Rodgers persist with Coutinho in midfield role?

It's hard to make a case for his inclusion at present. It'll be interesting to see who he picks tbh. I think a relatively fresh Lucas should come in for a leggy Stevie G. Sub Gerrard on late if we need him.

[Bender]

Suso would be more effective

[SB]

Suso would be more effective

In the holding role? We could go with the 3 CB's if we were to rest Gerrard if Skrtel is fit enough.

[Mike]

Here's the team I'd play:

Mig
Manquillo-Skrtel*-Lovren-Moreno
Lucas*-Hendo-Coutinho*-Sterling
Borini-Balotelli


*Skrtel playing if fit in place of Sakho. I think the best partnership is going to be Skrtel/Lovren in the long run. I'm not a Sakho hater but I think his decision making isn't great at times. Lovren's is ropey at times but I think given time he'll cut that down/out.

*Lucas to replace Gerrard because there's no chance Stevie will be fully fit. If Can was available I'd play him but he's not.

*Coutinho has been poor but with the lack of Allen/Can I think we'll have to go with him. Playing Gerrard and Lucas gives us no legs in midfield and although Coutinho is weak I think he can do a job.


Upfront we've struggled so far with just Balotelli up top because he lacks pace and movement which is what we relied on last year with SAS. Playing Borini will at least stretch them and try to reduce our crossing in which won't work against many teams especially WH.

You'd rather play Lucas on the right than Coutinho?

Borini doesn't warrant a start over Sterling, Markovic or Lallana.

---------Gerrard
Coutinho ----- Hendo
Sterling -- Balo -- Markovic/Lallana

Possibly Lucas for Coutinho, but I hope not. Lucas and Gerrard in the same midfield always terrifies me. Coutinho I would drop if Allen or Can were fit. Forced to play this team tbh.

[Mike]

In the holding role? We could go with the 3 CB's if we were to rest Gerrard if Skrtel is fit enough.

Suso in the holding role would be suicide. He's an AM and is also far too lightweight.

[Norbs]

re Camble's team, I think he's just got the formatting wrong, he's not advocating playing Lucas on the right at all. He mentions Lucas in for Gerrard so I'd guess he's looking at 4-1-2-3 with Lucas behind Henderson and Coutinho

Defence + Goalie

Lucas

Henderson Coutinho

Borini Ballotelli Sterling

It's not that bad really. Lucas is more disciplined in that position than Gerrard, albeit not as dynamic. Shoring up the defence is paramount IMO, and Gerrard's been wanting a little in the last few games.