*** Official West Ham v City Match Thread ***

[Bluemoon16]

What score would take us on top of the table?

[Dubciteh]

Pretty chuffed Barry has been dropped!

Really?

[ant london]

What score would take us on top of the table?

4-0

[Mase]

Really?

No. I actually love the fact he gives the ball away and likes to use his hands to control the ball ;)

[Ted Hughes]

If Carroll plays we have a problem.

Have to keep the ball away from him.

Have to say that looks like a side which will play right into Sam's hands. Extra aerial power at set pieces with Balo & Dzeko, but weak in open play (Nasti) & potentially weaker in possession.

Hopefully I'm wrong but that looks grim.

Tevez midfield perhaps ?

[Moonchesteri]

@MCFC: #WHU v #MCFC - Substitutions: Pantilimon, Zabaleta, Kolarov, Garcia, Barry, Sinclair and Aguero.

That is one brilliant bench if I may say so. in an ideal world we would have one better attacking alternative for our midfield but that's strong bench.

I like the starting XI too, good strong attacking lineup. I like it! Come on City!!

[ant london]

Pretty chuffed Barry has been dropped!

Really?

Yeah I don't get that really either Mase

I'd rather Yaya dropped for a game like today as workrate and putting a shift in in the middle of the park will be essential against The Big Sam's team.

The likes of Nolan will be putting it about and whilst Milner is perfect for this game, I question mark whether Yaya is. We shall see I guess

[Mase]

Yeah I don't get that really either Mase

I'd rather Yaya dropped for a game like today as workrate and putting a shift in in the middle of the park will be essential against The Big Sam's team.

The likes of Nolan will be putting it about and whilst Milner is perfect for this game, I question mark whether Yaya is. We shall see I guess

Kolo is playing so hopefully Yaya won't spit his dummy out and will put a shift in.

[Douglas Higginbottom]

That's almost exactly the team he worked hard with in the week with Nasti in for Lescott who I assume has some kind of injury as he missed one day in the week. Seems certain Tevez will play deep but it's important we don't just isolate 2 players up front. Getting in front early would be nice.

[Moonchesteri]

I know one person who will not agree with me but I thought this game if any would've been where Joleon is our no.1 choice to CB. Imo he's our strongest header and today our defenders will be up against AC. Tough tough day ahead for Nastasic, come on lad show me you are strong enough!

[Swales4ever]

From twitter:

Hart, Kolo Toure, Kompany, Nastasic, Clichy, Yaya Toure, Nasri, Milner, Tevez, Dzeko and Balotelli.

Seriously? I guess Zaba isn't match fit yet or Mancini is saving him for Ajax.

Hart
Kolo Vinnie Nasti Clichy
Yaya Milner
Nasri Tevez Balo
Dzeko

either that or making his best effort to drop a bollox.
Kolo to stop cross feeding for Carroll? mot convinced at all. as well as Milner is gonna need a special double effort to balance the front line alone. Yaya in holding position: we know what may happen!

not excited. might end 1-4 or in tears!

COME ON THE CAMPIONS, tho

[Cocacolajojo1]

have we ever came out with tevez dzEko and balo? and doesnt anyone know why isnt aguero playing..feeling good about this one altho ill have to follow it on live score from my work ;/

Yeah, for a while during the 10-11 season right after Dzeko had been bought. I think it was down to a couple of injuries OR that the team had stopped producing goals. Something like that. I don't remember. Anyhow, it didn't work out back then and I don't really see why it would work out now either. On the other hand, Tevez might have a more clean cut midfield-role this time which might fuck up the opposition. I don't know. I'm scared. But in short: Yeah, we have played with all three.

[Dameerto]

ESPN are claiming Milner injured in warmup, Barry to start instead.

[ant london]

Milner is now out apparently


Injured in warm up. Barry in

[carl_feedthegoat]

If Carroll plays we have a problem.

Have to keep the ball away from him.

Have to say that looks like a side which will play right into Sam's hands. Extra aerial power at set pieces with Balo & Dzeko, but weak in open play (Nasti) & potentially weaker in possession.

Hopefully I'm wrong but that looks grim.

Tevez midfield perhaps ?

Not happy with Kolo in the line up at all.

[Moonchesteri]

ESPN are claiming Milner injured in warmup, Barry to start instead.

shit. Milner would've been perfect for a game like this.
And we don't need any more injuries in midfield do we

[Dameerto]

Mancini wouldn't confirm if Kolo was playing rightback when interviewed by ESPN, all he said was "Maybe - he plays." Then smiled. I hope he's not going with three at the back.

[phips]

Barry in, Milner pulled his hamstring.

I guess thats okay.

[Moonchesteri]

Mancini wouldn't confirm if Kolo was playing rightback when interviewed by ESPN, all he said was "Maybe - he plays." Then smiled. I hope he's not going with three at the back.

if Milner got injured then I'd guess that plan went out the window. or is Nasri the right WB?
edit: if there even was a three at the back plan...

[Florida Blue]

From twitter:

Hart, Kolo Toure, Kompany, Nastasic, Clichy, Yaya Toure, Nasri, Milner, Tevez, Dzeko and Balotelli.

Seriously? I guess Zaba isn't match fit yet or Mancini is saving him for Ajax.

Hart
Kolo Vinnie Nasti Clichy
Yaya Milner
Nasri Tevez Balo
Dzeko

either that or making his best effort to drop a bollox.
Kolo to stop cross feeding for Carroll? mot convinced at all. as well as Milner is gonna need a special double effort to balance the front line alone. Yaya in holding position: we know what may happen!

not excited. might end 1-4 or in tears!

COME ON THE CAMPIONS, tho

It is clear he rarely thinks outside the box, Kolo is the obvious answer, but not a good one with other options. But if we get 3 points who cares?