West Ham Home Sat Oct 31 KO 5.30pm

This topic contains 65 replies, has 12 voices, and was last updated by  gingerlfc 3 years, 4 months ago.

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  • #1887973
    Rob Fort Worth TX
    Rob Fort Worth TX
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    • :

    First of the three games within 8 days before a much needed two week break.

    Our next opponent, a rejuvenated West Ham (bubble will burst eventually tho – pardon the pun) who we haven’t lost too at Anfield since my pal Jimmy Melia played back in 1963. Just got off the phone reminding Jimmy of the stat and he said our physical approach did not work that day as they had targeted Hurst, Peters and Moore who they considered ‘soft’ players, technically brilliant, but didn’t like it rough but that day he said they schooled us! Lol.

    Anyways, back to the present day and I’m sure I read a report that said someone saw Pep and Klopp this morning in Stanley Park scouting for defenders. Still can’t get over the fact we didn’t bring someone in but no good going on about it I guess but it rankles me with Liverpool being the size and stature we are that we were OK playing with fire in that dept.

    It’s not as though we don’t have any centre backs but it’s the lack of experience that worries me greatly alongside Gomez, who, I think, will learn a lot without Virgil next to him and heard him and Alisson shout a lot last night at Williams – good to see (and hear).

    Hoping Matip is back but I’ve more chance of starting than him but will remain optimistic and think he will start so, starting XI as follows:

    Alisson, Trent, Gomez, Matip, Robbo, Henderson, Gini, Thiago, Mane, Bobby and Mo.

    Last season took a late Mane goal to see off a stubborn West Ham team 3-2 and I expect another stubborn West Ham team this weekend.

    One of the reasons West Ham have picked up a bit is down to dropping their talisman Mark Noble and tweaked formations from playing 5 at the back (what I expect this weekend) or 5 in mid which has tightened them up defensively bar going down 3-0 at Spurs.

    Going back to my first stat again and it has been 57 years since we last lost to them at home and despite our defensive frailties at the moment I do think that run will be extended although I wouldn’t discount a draw. West Ham will score but we will score more – 2-1 to us says…..

    https://th.bing.com/th/id/OIP.aVoboP04gNwB0NCdmwQKZQAAAA?pid=Api&rs=1

    #1887993

    pinezes69
    Participant
    • :

    I prefer Rhys Williams to Matip.

    #1888010

    SirRoger
    Participant
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    Didn’t they beat us 3-0 in the not too distant past? Early season if I remember correctly. A sending off too? Coutinho? Was that such a bad performance that you’ve erased it from your memory bank, Rob? I can think of a few over the years I wish I could do that to!

    #1888013
    Rob Fort Worth TX
    Rob Fort Worth TX
    Participant
    • :

    Roger, you’re absolutely correct sir. 2-0 down at half time before Phil got sent off. Wouldn’t have made any difference anyway. Utter cack that day.

    #1888048

    gingerlfc
    Participant
    • :

    Yes Rob if Matip fit that’s the team id like see playing. They’ll try to get mins into him before having to play City although Klopp mentioned something along the lines of he just doesn’t throw players back into matches just because they’ve been injury free for a day; he like them to come through a few days training first. So we may see Williams afterall and allow Matip a few more days on the training pitch.

    These 2 league games are more important IMO. A draw away to Atalanta would still be ok, even a defeat is manageable in the overall picture as we can still easily qualify so that may be the game we take more of a gamble with team selection.

    West Ham are doing very well at the min. They’ve taken points off City, Spurs, Leicester and Wolves already this season with Antonio on fire so whoever plays centreback is gonna have their hands full.

    Since the VVD injury we’ve played 3 games.
    We’ve won 3 and only conceded 1 goal which was a very dubious peno. So things arnt all doom and gloom defensively as some might have you believe.

    No doubt this will be a tough game.
    It’s gonna be a tough week next week but Klopp will have them mentality prepared for it.

    #1888054

    Sean the sailor
    Participant
    • :

    Antonio came off on sat do not sure if he is available but he akways causes us issues

    Hoping to see Thiago play some part

    #1888089

    pinezes69
    Participant
    • :

    I beleive that we must return in 4-3-3 in next 3 games because we have to protect our defence. Thiago, Hendo and Gini or Milner must help our defenders. All 3 games will be very difficult due to lack of CBs. City and Atalanta like attacking and they will do it aiming our central defence. Matip even if he is fit must stay at the bench.
    I hope the front 3 do their job as they have done it a lot of times in the past…

    #1888123

    Songman
    Participant
    • :

    One thing we have to remember is that we have the most lethal front 3, best goalkeeper and best full backs in the league, plus a world-class midfield of Gini, Thiago and Henderson.

    I don’t care how well our opponents are doing, but we really should win this game if we play to our potential, and don’t make any silly mistakes.

    It will be a baptism of fire for Rhys Williams (if he starts) but sooner or later, the boy has to step up and believe that he can play in the big time, this is a good a test as any to prove himself, as Matip is out for the next 3 games.

    We need to take the game to them and try to finish it off early

    #1888129

    Songman
    Participant
    • :

    Pinez, I also think 433 is the best formation for Liverpool in most games, and that’s what I want to see here

    #1888131

    Songman
    Participant
    • :

    Ginger “These 2 league games are more important IMO.”

    Correct. Put it this way, the game against City next week is far more important, beat them on their own ground, and that will be a giant leap forward.

    Need to beat West Ham first though

    #1888151

    pinezes69
    Participant
    • :

    4-3-3 fits us. Why do we have to change it??

    #1888153
    threeps
    threeps
    Participant
    • :

    I think WHU play 5 at that back and changing to a 4231 or 442 (we did that a couple of seasons ago against them I think) can give opportunities for our attackers to utilise the channels between their defenders.

    Not saying we will, just saying why change 433 is more complex than it fits us when considering the opposition tactics.

    #1888194

    NotoriousBingo
    Participant
    • :

    West Ham have a decent squad, they suffered last season because of goalkeeping issues

    #1888269
    Rob Fort Worth TX
    Rob Fort Worth TX
    Participant
    • :

    We ‘could’ go 433 but in all honesty I think we will see a 5 man mid again most notably because we are lacking midfield players and centre halves (Ox, Naby, Fab, Matip, VVD).

    We reverted to a 5 man midfield following the Everton game and like Ginger said we’ve won all three and conceded just one goal (Fab’s non foul outside the box). It has helped ‘bulk up’ in the engine room which has also allowed us to drop a few yards deeper in our defensive line. We have not had the number of shots on goal as we usually do in these games as the ’10’ has had to drop deeper than normal to triangulate more with the 6 and 8 in the absence of Hendo (in and out) and Thiago. Thiago is a BIG loss atm. He will help us keep possession better in the middle third thus allowing our makeshift backline to keep it’s shape. Busquets has done this for Barca for what seems centuries. They call it the metronome.

    I advocated the 4231 (or 4141 as it was for a chunk of the game v Ajax – dedicated 6 as opposed to a ‘shifting 6’ depending on which side the ball is on) in a pre season thread and I’m glad we are seeing Klopp’s BVB 5 man style mid being introduced which it HAS to be with the big and critical injuries we are currently experiencing to our spine.

    It’ll be 4231 on Sat with Mane, Bobby, Mo and either Jota (or Mo) as the 9.

    The 6 and 8 will be Gini and either Hendo or Thiago.

    That’s one player that HAS to start – Gini. I think he’s been a beast recently.

    That’s what I reckon anyhow.

    #1888272

    gingerlfc
    Participant
    • :

    The 4-2-3-1 also means the fullbacks arnt as flogged as much and at the min. With our other options there being Tsimikas and Williams, now with our make shift central defence it may not be the best time to try those options at fullback.

    #1888273

    Sean the sailor
    Participant
    • :

    It’s a very tough game.

    Interstellar to see who partners Gomez. Maybe give Matip a run out againest Atlanta to get a few mins in? He will need some minutes under his belt if he is to start v city

    Usual Bollix with keita. No one even knows if he’s injured. It’s getting beyond frustrating with him now as he is such a talent but it’s not happening

    Few games then injured and it just goes around like that

    I’d be worried if Antonio starts againest Gomez and an inexperienced cb

    #1888275
    Rob Fort Worth TX
    Rob Fort Worth TX
    Participant
    • :

    Sean – Interstellar? That’s your best since ‘Sturbridge’ for Danny Boy. Lol.

    That’s all that Matip will likely get too – a run out and then a hobble off.

    I don’t know what’s wrong with Naby either. Covid? Yet another niggle? It’s always something.

    Pleased for Antonio. Saw him a few years ago playing for Forest against Rochdale in the Cup and he was utterly hapless and hopeless. He seems a nice guy and happy he’s doing well but I think we’ll handle him Saturday.

    Sticking with me 2-1!

    #1888358

    gingerlfc
    Participant
    • :

    Antonio out for a month with hamstring tear.

    #1888400

    Sean the sailor
    Participant
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    Oh never nice to hear anyone injured ginger but that’s a huge plus for us chum

    He’s a proper nuisance when we play West Ham

    #1888505
    Rob Fort Worth TX
    Rob Fort Worth TX
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    • :

    Just watched this morning’s training session and didn’t see Keita, Matip and Thiago anywhere. Nothing new I know!

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