West Ham v Saints - Sat 24th 3pm

[sfc4prem]

A big game approaches. Can we do to them what we did to Swansea?

[Willo of Whiteley]

Nope. 3-0 defeat, we aren’t quick enough.

[Toussaint]

On the plus side we will have had a weeks rest. On the downside, we haven’t looked convincing in our last three games, Tonda is tinkering too much and we are starting to pick up a few key injuries. We need Flynn back and Cyle fit and firing. 

[AlexLaw76]

I think we will be beaten quite comfortably.

3-1 to West Ham.

We have not been great other than in patches this season, and the manager is starting to get a bit weird 

[John Boy Saint]

Week off after 3 games, and the other business the week before that - hopefully things will be nice and settled for this, and we can be at our best.

[Willo of Whiteley]

West Ham are light years ahead of us in terms of speed, directness and finishing.

[tttdcs]

1 hour ago, Willo of Whiteley said:

Nope. 3-0 defeat, we aren’t quick enough.

Totally agree (and missing another nr 9)

[Pamplemousse]

If they play like they did at home to QPR then we have a chance

[whelk]

40 minutes ago, Willo of Whiteley said:

West Ham are light years ahead of us in terms of speed, directness and finishing.

No they aren’t. What is it with our fans who only seem to see greatness in other teams and flaws in their own? Guess what, you can play well one week and not so well the next. 
Light years lol.

[Toussaint]

7 minutes ago, Pamplemousse said:

If they play like they did at home to QPR then we have a chance

Good point, we are assuming they will be at their best, but they are a bit flaky. 

[saintant]

They weren't great at home against QPR.

[Lee On Solent Saint]

I'd back us for at least a point. Don't think they have been that impressive 

[Football Special]

Depends which West Ham side turn up, but we'll need big improvements, Jander back would help hopefully 

JWP should be up for it 

[Toussaint]

5 minutes ago, Football Special said:

Depends which West Ham side turn up, but we'll need big improvements, Jander back would help hopefully 

JWP should be up for it 

Jwp and Flynn. But I’d like to see Jander back in the side. 

[Football Special]

1 minute ago, Toussaint said:

Jwp and Flynn. But I’d like to see Jander back in the side. 

Flynn unlikely surely? in his protective boot yesterday 

[Toussaint]

36 minutes ago, Football Special said:

Flynn unlikely surely? in his protective boot yesterday 

From the Echo. I hadn’t realised it was that serious.

 

SAINTS midfielder Flynn Downes is a major doubt for next Saturday's trip to West Ham, but Tonda Eckert has not ruled him out entirely.

The 27 year old suffered ankle ligament damage during Wednesday's 1-0 Championship victory over Norwich City at Carrow Road.

Downes was forced off in the 22nd minute after rolling his ankle, and he missed the subsequent 0-0 draw with Bolton at St Mary's.

Downes had initially told Eckert to strap up his ankle so he could play the match, but he was ruled out and spotted at the ground in a protective boot.

However, Eckert remains hopeful he could return against his former club, despite admitting the target return date is "possible but ambitious".

[AlexLaw76]

Jander must surely be fit enough to start this one 

[Willo of Whiteley]

West Ham are big and physical, everything we aren’t. They’re also quick on the break, something we aren’t.

So yes, they are ahead of us. They will clearly win the league this season the way they’re going.

Our squad is too thin and doesn’t have enough game changing players.

[AlexLaw76]

21 minutes ago, Willo of Whiteley said:

West Ham are big and physical, everything we aren’t. They’re also quick on the break, something we aren’t.

So yes, they are ahead of us. They will clearly win the league this season the way they’re going.

Our squad is too thin and doesn’t have enough game changing players.

We are just far too slow and deliberate much of the time.

[Wade Garrett]

Going to be our hardest game of the season.  Think we should go hard at them as I don’t think they are that great at the back.

Need to keep Bowen quiet.  Tough afternoon for Manning or Welington.

[BotleySaint]

They are a good team. But I think our lads will raise themselves for this game.

We do need Larin fit as our only reliable striker. If he isn't there then we'll struggle to score anywhere.

And we need to play the formations that have brought up success. Not whatever we saw yesterday. 

[Matthew Le God]

4 hours ago, AlexLaw76 said:

We have not been great other than in patches this season

You don't get this from only playing in patches...

4th most points earned (only 2 points fewer than 1st)

2nd best goal difference

3rd most goals

2nd best defensive record

1st for time spent in the lead of games

Edited 4 hours ago by Matthew Le God

[Matthew Le God]

5 minutes ago, BotleySaint said:

And we need to play the formations that have brought up success. Not whatever we saw yesterday. 

The formation yesterday was the normal 4231 that we've done very well with under Eckert. The difference was there was a lot more rotation of the 3 behind the striker than normal. Azaz was wide right for a lot of the first half, when he is far more effective in the 10 role.

[Toussaint]

16 minutes ago, Matthew Le God said:

The formation yesterday was the normal 4231 that we've done very well with under Eckert. The difference was there was a lot more rotation of the 3 behind the striker than normal. Azaz was wide right for a lot of the first half, when he is far more effective in the 10 role.

It wasn’t really a normal formation, you said it yourself,  Scienza played as a second striker initially, played on the wrong side when out wide, Fellows and Scienza were on the same side at times. As you said Azaz started wide. It was all a bit of a mess. 

[Matthew Le God]

4 minutes ago, Toussaint said:

It wasn’t really a normal formation, you said it yourself,  Scienza played as a second striker initially, played on the wrong side when out wide, Fellows and Scienza were on the same side at times. As you said Azaz started wide. It was all a bit of a mess. 

The formation was the same 4231 as normal. There was more rotation than normal throughout the game of who was where in the 3 roles behind Larin. 

[die Mannyschaft]

West Ham 0-0 Saints.  We are very good at slowing down the game and keeping the ball so that will be the tactics. We could get a break and score but likely to let a counter from West Ham in. Either way a draw. 

I and a few in Northam dont see too much difference from Russ Ball and because we waste time on the ball Could get penned in and just allow West Ham to be on the front foot all game.

Tonda could approach the game differently with an attacking game plan. The other issue is Leo this could be the game he gets taken out for weeks as West Ham can kick players very well.

[ally_uk]

2-0 West Ham 

[die Mannyschaft]

1 hour ago, Matthew Le God said:

You don't get this from only playing in patches...

4th most points earned (only 2 points fewer than 1st)

2nd best goal difference

3rd most goals

2nd best defensive record

1st for time spent in the lead of games

When you look at those stats I'm now going West Ham 0-3 Saints. 

[sockeye]

Lose/draw the game we're expected to win, win the game we're expected to draw/lose. Stranger things happen!

[Toadhall Saint]

Away win 

[OneMrsWallace]

All depends. If Larin and Downes start, we've got a chance of at least a draw. If Jander is in for Downes, still a chance. If Larin is out though, I just can't see where the goals are coming from, not just against WH but every team. It's not just his goals, it's the way he battles and occupies defenders and holds the ball up to bring in runners. So if Larin is out, 2-0 to WH. 

[Birder Saint]

I am going to be sat with some West Ham mates,so no colours and keep my mouth shut.  Just hoping the bubble machine is unused and i dont see that cheesey cross armed salute.COYR

[Toussaint]

2 hours ago, Matthew Le God said:

The formation was the same 4231 as normal. There was more rotation than normal throughout the game of who was where in the 3 roles behind Larin. 

Except when it was 4 4 2

[OnceaSaintalwaysaSaint]

2 hours ago, OneMrsWallace said:

All depends. If Larin and Downes start, we've got a chance of at least a draw. If Jander is in for Downes, still a chance. If Larin is out though, I just can't see where the goals are coming from, not just against WH but every team. It's not just his goals, it's the way he battles and occupies defenders and holds the ball up to bring in runners. So if Larin is out, 2-0 to WH. 

When they brought on their big guns earlier this season, they looked twice as fast as us.

Agree Larin needs to be on his game for this one because he does a lot more than just knock balls in the net. But keep Bowen quiet and we have players in Azaz and Matsuki who are capable of positively affecting the game. 

[Matthew Le God]

1 hour ago, Toussaint said:

Except when it was 4 4 2

It was 4231 in possession, 442 out of possession... as normal