hanxamillion

Surprised to see so many available managed to get a couple in the lower Holte just after 5pm. I’m sure the’ll be plenty snapped up over the weekend. The last two times iv wanted tickets I’ve had to go upper trinity.

Looks like it will be sold out by the end of today

Went down to this one as never been to upton park before and won't get the chance once the £200 million alterations to the Olympic stadium have enabled them to move. It's a bit of cliche really but It thought the home support was awful. A pocket of 'vociferous' fans either side of the away end who mostly seemed to want to taunt or barrack the away fans most of the match and not really back there own team better atmosphere coming from one of the pubs by the side of the ground - expensive way to release stress I'd say ?!. I always expect us to beat west ham and usually disappointed when we don't. As they played with six in midfield perhaps the way the match panned out realistically is how you may expect it to have in reality. Guzan dealt very well with the endless crosses that were sent over to the're missing centre forward, Baker and Vlaar mopped up the rest competently. Pleased to see Lowton back in the side and after a nervy first half I thought he did ok, Most of the midfield ( and even Bacuna) looked like rabbits in the headlights when they had the ball and it really highlighted the missing contribution from Delph today - far too many misplaced passes. Sylla was no exception surprisingly as I think we've all been calling for him to get more game time ( not just for the song eh ?) however he did a little better in the second half too. Won't dwell on Clark's performance just to say that any recent confidence I had developed in him being in the side evaporated yesterday. Hurry back Okora is all I will add to the defensive issues. Wiemann ran around a lot and seemed to get shoved off the ball too easily for me a lot of the time - don't think Benteke or even Gabby would have been felled the time he burst though in the first half.He later got injured so missed his chance to put the ever mounting number of chances he's had to score to be addressed positively. Had two great chances in the second half and i'm sure it won't be too long before Benteke hits the goal trail again, A bit too much long ball up to him for me but as I said with 6 in midfield we were never going to play it through them too many times.They did beat spurs 0 3 recently after all. It has stopped the rot of a run too many defeats and a ANOTHER clean sheet and a point more than we got from there last year - it's two less on west ham's tally too. On reflection not a bad result from another frustrating overall performance, don't think either team really deserved to win we have quiet a few 'winnable' games coming up - over to you Paul Lambert.

I think the physical and mental energy spent over the three games took it's toll both on the first half performance and the overall result. Perhaps with a fresh Sylla in the middle instead of Bacuna ( who I thought was no worse than anyone else) and either Tonev or Helenius in for Wiemann we may have got a few more passes together and made a goal happen. If the consensus is that we have just played three of the top 6 you really wouldn't be able to say we didn't match any of them all over the pitch. I think Vlarr's strength and Okora's pace we have a much improved central defense. Bring on the toon.

Confused by this?! You'd drop Weimann and play Clark where exactly?! Especially as you're bringing in okora (Okore) alongside Vlaar?! Anyway same team that played the majority of Saturday for me and I fancy 2-2 As stated in the 4 4 2 ie gabby and benteke up top clark westwood delph kea in midfield luna vlaar okore lowton defense i fancy a 1 - 2

I cannot see Lambert changing our 4 3 3 for this, didn't we go 4 2 4 at old trafford recently ? On saturday's form I would drop Weimann for clark and bring in okora alongside vlarr to go 4 4 2 but am 100 % behind whatever he see's fit to try. Although we have had some thrashings of late we don't have a bad record against them with an entertaining 4 4 draw not so long ago and under mcliesh did we not win 1 3 ? Would really love to get a result here and make up for the 8 0 from last year - although the score didn't flatter chelski that much ! Guzan seems to command his goal well and let's hope our defense is ready for a battle !!! bring it on

I think Okora will be picked along side Vlaar. KEA , Delph and Westwood will be the choice in midfield. Guzan Lowton Vlaar Okora Luna Delph Westwood KEA Wiemann Benteke Agbonlahor

The thing is with the luxury of having 3 up front we cannot afford too many midfielders getting caught further up field, especially if Lowton and Luna rome forward up the wings. The three in the middle have to anchor, battle and protect our vulnerable defense. Delph, Sylla and Westwood will do this with offensive options like Tonev Bacuna KEA coming on to help later in the game if we need goals to change the result..Against the top teams we will need the front three tracking back from time to time to help out anyway. This is why Bent has lost his place. ( along with the extra 6 mill we may have to pay sunderland for performances ).

I think Clark could be considered in the team in front of Bennet but behind Luna, Okora, Baker, Vlaar, Lowton and maybe Bacuna at a push as a defender. Midfield as a last resort behind quite a few decent ones we have in there.

I realize that the top of the league is a more difficult situation than it was 30 odd years ago but then our back up was David Geddis alone up top. Tonev is an attacking midfielder although he might be called on for forward duties if injuries force it to happen. Nzogbia is not in the plans at present so omitted him from the scenario. Anyhow we have plenty of attacking midfielders that could support a forward two if required. Since Delph and Sylla established there places either side of Westwood the goals against improved considerably. With forward minded wide defenders who can support the midfield and attack we have a great shape and fluidity. AW and Gabby have the energy to track back when needed and give us some width when the midfield pushes forward. I'm not sure if you're agreeing or disagreeing! To summarise - I don't think our backup players are good enough (yet). If one of the three lads get injured, I know we have players who can come in, I just don't think they are up to the standards required. I'm sure lots of people will disagree and I hope I'm wrong I am not disagreeing with the comment that you don't think the back up is that good. BUT my point is the front THREE ( not two or one as we have had in the last say 20 years) is VERY GOOD. Geddis was the only back up in the title winning season and with some decent new midfielders and additional defenders this time around, the whole team is a good step up from last season. If one of these three got injured i'm sure the alternatives included with using the other two we can still carry a threat. I'm sure we will have to be satisfied with a draw from time to time.

I can really see some great goal - fests coming this season, with a stronger defense and better options in midfield hopefully we will shore up the goals against column. The forward threat this year compares well with the classes of '77 and '80. I love the lack of media attention too which will i'm sure adds more gravity to some of the back page headlines the'll begrudgingly have to produce. I think the spurs match would be my preferred choice for a landslide result.

Guard of honor for us there I understand

I realize that the top of the league is a more difficult situation than it was 30 odd years ago but then our back up was David Geddis alone up top. Tonev is an attacking midfielder although he might be called on for forward duties if injuries force it to happen. Nzogbia is not in the plans at present so omitted him from the scenario. Anyhow we have plenty of attacking midfielders that could support a forward two if required. Since Delph and Sylla established there places either side of Westwood the goals against improved considerably. With forward minded wide defenders who can support the midfield and attack we have a great shape and fluidity. AW and Gabby have the energy to track back when needed and give us some width when the midfield pushes forward.

Given the season we had last year I think we need a dedicated midfield of 3 with delph westy and sylla as the defensive model, exchange one or two with bacuna / tonev / el hamadhi or even helenius for a more offensive approach perhaps clark as the extra defensive option. A dedicated attack with gabby, benteke and weimann plan 'a' with possibly bowry / helenuis as a back up or last throw of the dice.

My feelings of optimism are gathering momentum each time I see further progress from our pre- season warm up matches. Would it be a bit premature to start comparing our present front three with some illustrious names from the past. Given that last season our front three Netted 47 in total Agbonlahor (12) Benteke (23) Weimann (12) if we can build on that and get some from around the rest of the team we could well be going places this year. We seem to be a little under the radar for the media too given our struggles and heavy defeats from last year. I bet Dicanio will remember his visit to Villa Park. How does the potential of these compare to some from yesteryear ? Going back to the late 70's Deehan, Little and Gray or early 80's Withe , Morley and Shaw ? We have some back up too with Helenius, Bowrey, Carruthers and Greilish Bring it on.