ferguson1

Hope we go on to score three or four now and a clean sheet would be just lovely.

Go on Ollie get a hat trick as you deserve it

Yeeeeesssss

Good half and could be two or three goals clear.

Watkins, Bailey and Ramsey causing them all sorts of problems.

Lenglet and Pau looking decent together.

Need a second to kill them off.

Could be onside here

Another goal today.  

3 minutes ago, The Fun Factory said:

Christ at this rate we are going to have to play Chambers after spending the entire January trying to get rid of him.

Any more injuries and we’ll be wheeling out Hause! 

Oh gutted, I thought this was a thread to discuss my local Household Waste and Recycling Centre. Can’t beat a good tip visit. 

Regardless of what’s truth or lie or something in between, it feels like it’s turning out to be a really bad appointment.

The silence from the club speaks volumes as well. Why not send out a communication strenuously denying the rumours? Put the matter to bed! No smoke and all that….

Whether any of this true or not, it’s just negative news and something doesn’t feel right off the field.  I can’t put my finger on what it is but just seems to be a disconnect.  

Just to have his professionalism and leadership around the group is surely a boost for everyone.

Absolutely fantastic news. 

Squad is dropping like flies at present.  May have to change formation as well as personnel for this one at least.  Two options really, either 352 / 532 formation or the usual 442 / 4222. 
 

                            Martinez

        Chambers      Pau       Lenglet  

  Cash       McGinn         Luiz        Moreno

                            Ramsey                          
                                       
                   Bailey        Watkins            

Subs:  Olsen, KKH, Digne, Hause, Iroegbunam, Tielemans, Rogers, Zaniolo, Diaby

Or

                           Martinez

 Cash     Chambers       Pau     Digne

           Iroegbunam         Luiz              

     McGinn                           Ramsey 
                                       
                   Bailey        Watkins            

Subs:  Olsen, KKH, Moreno, Lenglet, Hause, Tielemans, Rogers, Zaniolo, Diaby

Could go either way but very much hoping that recent results and injuries actually galvanise the squad.  Let’s prove the media doubters wrong and show there is no sign of a major off in results or even a collapse. We can still finish fourth or fifth and have a good go at the conference league.

I’m guessing best case scenario he’s back in training September or October? Worst case scenario December or January?

Misses the Euro’s in the summer, so he must be gutted. Wishing him a speedy recovery. 

1 minute ago, DJBOB said:

McGinn in the double pivot and Bailey wide right with Tielemans back in the 10 hole makes the most sense. JJ on the left can provide a dynamic outlet that McGinn couldn't in the same position when we started against Newcastle.

Unai went with McGinn in the double pivot and Buendia in the 10 role with Bailey wide right after Kamara was injured away at Chelsea last year. No reason to think he wouldn't go for it again.

It's against the better pressing sides that will have me worried.

Yep, no issues with that .  Just trying to think what Emery will do but I certainly think he’ll want to continue with 422 / 4222.  I would prefer McGinn in the double pivot, as it’s a big ask for Tim to start games continuously. 

I think Emery will still want to stick with his trusted 442 /4222 formation, regardless of the Kamara news today. It’s whether he goes with Iroegbunum, McGinn or Tielemans next to Luiz? I reckon he’ll start with Tielemans initially, which isn’t ideal.

A returning Pau and Digne helps us defensively at this point and a returning Konsa in three/four weeks hopefully. 
               
                            Martinez

     Cash       Carlos       Pau      Digne

                Tielemans         Luiz              

     McGinn                              Ramsey 
                                       
                   Bailey        Watkins            

Subs:  Olsen, KKH, Lenglet, Moreno, Chambers, Iroegbunum, Rogers, Zaniolo, Diaby

Still time to get something but a real sickener this. 

So proud of this and the crowd have been amazing today. 

Taking the game to them. Love it, c’mon. 

I would consider Diaby if we don’t score early and get him against Varane. The guy is completely static. 

Next goal is absolutely crucial if we’re to get anything from this.  

Good half for us. We’re very much in this and deserve more at this stage. 

Very much hoping we can change some starting personnel or tweak the system, or both. 

Pau to start? Tough call after getting no minutes midweek and barely playing this side of Christmas. We desperately need him though, so I’m picking him below in the hope that Emery believes him to be fit. Digne back to make the bench possibly? 

I would also like Cash and Moreno to be more conservative coming forward and create a more solid four at the back, rather than leaving so much space for Garnacho and Rashford to run into.  Having McGinn on the right side and Ramsey back on the left side may help as well? I wouldn’t even be against dropping Kamara for a game and starting McGinn next to Luiz, but I’ll go with both starting the game.

So who to play in the 10 role next to/just behind Watkins? Again, tough call from Bailey, Diaby, Tielemans or even Rogers?  I’ll go Bailey to start but certainly some minutes for Diaby and Rogers in the second half.

Most of all I hope we see an early indicator/reaction from midweek. We at the very least need to match them for work rate and intensity to get anything out of this.  I don’t think it’s a must win game but it’s certainly a must not lose. Really don’t want our league position to be cut to five points. Keep it at eight points with the draw or better still go eleven clear of them with a win.  Just not confident of us keeping a clean sheet again, so might be a case of trying to outscore them:

                            Martinez

     Cash       Carlos       Pau      Moreno

                  Kamara         Luiz              

     McGinn                              Ramsey 
                                       
                   Bailey        Watkins            

Subs:  Olsen, Wright, KKH, Lenglet, Iroegbunam, Tielemans, Rogers, Zaniolo, Diaby

I think it’s going to be a really tough game. Would love to sneak a 2-1 win but my head is saying 2-2 or a narrow defeat.   UTV

13 hours ago, Pongo Waring said:

Villa park has no presence on the big nights. Tonight showed. We won't miss it. 

What would create a presence though? If by this you’re suggesting a new 60,000 seater bowl / Villa Park, it won’t.  Have you seen any West Ham games on TV or Live? 

A night like last night will happen in any stadium, regardless of size.

Inter Milan, Ajax, Athletico Madrid, Everton on our first home game back in the Premier League, etc etc. Many many glorious nights under the lights at Villa Park and some loudest I’ve witnessed.

Honestly, don’t see how a new stadium automatically means an improved atmosphere? 

19 minutes ago, MaVilla said:

how long is Isak out for?

 

One or two games is what Howe said late last week. Only a slight groin problem, so perhaps only next weekend?