Aston Villa vs West Ham Pre-Match Thread

[Matt Collins]

There's a rumour Carew is injured, which presumably means Ivanhoe up front?

I have  a feeling Ireland won't be here in time, so would play Albrighton, Downing, Young behind Heskey in one way shape or form

[JJ-AV]

Please let Ireland sign in time.

We'll know if Davies is staying or not won't we? If Clarke plays he's gone...

I'd go something like -

Friedel
Young - Davies - Dunne - Warnock
Albrighton - Petrov - NRC - Downing
Young
Gabby

Hopefully Ireland and Carew on the bench to change it around.

[jonzy85]

Reckon the boost in morale for the players should be enough to see us through. 2-0

Boost in morale?? You mean for the players who arent good enough to start??

Players will be playing for their futures now, which could be a good thing, but having read that Collins and Cuellar are both out I'm a bit worried.

Also with Grant at the helm at West Ham, I've a feeling they could be a decent outfit this year, a few unknown signings in the mix too.

[PaulTheVillan]

Cuellar and Collins are out.

Davies and Gabby might be available.

[Greg N'Ash]

Reckon the boost in morale for the players should be enough to see us through. 2-0

Boost in morale?? You mean for the players who arent good enough to start??

Players will be playing for their futures now, which could be a good thing, but having read that Collins and Cuellar are both out I'm a bit worried.

Also with Grant at the helm at West Ham, I've a feeling they could be a decent outfit this year, a few unknown signings in the mix too.

my understanding is even the players he picked didn't like him much so the general improvement in the dressing room atmosphere, and "new boss syndrome" should ensure we have enough to beat west ham

[placeforparks]

see the other thread, but hitzelsperger is a doubt for saturday now.

[Chris Smith]

Reckon the boost in morale for the players should be enough to see us through. 2-0

Boost in morale?? You mean for the players who arent good enough to start??

Players will be playing for their futures now, which could be a good thing, but having read that Collins and Cuellar are both out I'm a bit worried.

Also with Grant at the helm at West Ham, I've a feeling they could be a decent outfit this year, a few unknown signings in the mix too.

my understanding is even the players he picked didn't like him much so the general improvement in the dressing room atmosphere, and "new boss syndrome" should ensure we have enough to beat west ham

That's not what Martin Laursen said but I'm sure your 'understanding' (i.e. you've just made it up) is far more reliable.

[Dave Clark Five]

my understanding is even the players he picked didn't like him much so the general improvement in the dressing room atmosphere, and "new boss syndrome" should ensure we have enough to beat west ham

I would confirm this.

[Greg N'Ash]

oh dry yer

Reckon the boost in morale for the players should be enough to see us through. 2-0

Boost in morale?? You mean for the players who arent good enough to start??

Players will be playing for their futures now, which could be a good thing, but having read that Collins and Cuellar are both out I'm a bit worried.

Also with Grant at the helm at West Ham, I've a feeling they could be a decent outfit this year, a few unknown signings in the mix too.

my understanding is even the players he picked didn't like him much so the general improvement in the dressing room atmosphere, and "new boss syndrome" should ensure we have enough to beat west ham

That's not what Martin Laursen said but I'm sure your 'understanding' (i.e. you've just made it up) is far more reliable.

oh dry yer eyes chris. Its hardly my fault the guy you continuously said you trusted turned out to have the morale backbone of a common Hodge. Your total wrongness in judging a manager's character is a constant source of amazement and pity. Another shrine to go in the loft next to the dust covered DOL one and the slightly mouldy John Gregory one. I'm sure you'll bounce back :0)

[Chris Smith]

oh dry yer

Reckon the boost in morale for the players should be enough to see us through. 2-0

Boost in morale?? You mean for the players who arent good enough to start??

Players will be playing for their futures now, which could be a good thing, but having read that Collins and Cuellar are both out I'm a bit worried.

Also with Grant at the helm at West Ham, I've a feeling they could be a decent outfit this year, a few unknown signings in the mix too.

my understanding is even the players he picked didn't like him much so the general improvement in the dressing room atmosphere, and "new boss syndrome" should ensure we have enough to beat west ham

That's not what Martin Laursen said but I'm sure your 'understanding' (i.e. you've just made it up) is far more reliable.

oh dry yer eyes chris. Its hardly my fault the guy you continuously said you trusted turned out to have the morale backbone of a common Hodge. Your total wrongness in judging a manager's character is a constant source of amazement and pity. Another shrine to go in the loft next to the dust covered DOL one and the slightly mouldy John Gregory one. I'm sure you'll bounce back :0)

I knew when I posted that your reply would be petty and childish in the style that only you think is funny and you didn't let me down. You used the term "I understand" to imply that you have some inside information when the relaity is you've just made it up.

Laursen said on Monday that some players got on with him and others didn't. I'll take that over your bullshit any day of the week.

[jonzy85]

I find it hard to believe that any of the regular 10/11 starters from last season had a problem with MON.

MON made them all better players, bar Downing who he pursued with and played them all regularly.

But anyway, that discussion doesnt belong on a pre match thread.

I would predict a team of:

Friedel

L.Young Dunne Davies Warnock

Reo-Coker Petrov

A.Young Ireland Downing

Agbonlahor

If Ireland hasnt signed then perhaps Albrighton in and Young/Downing playing off Gabby. Or Carew in and Gabby playing out wide with Young off Carew.

Either way, the likes of L.Young, NRC and Davies will be playing for their futures (and the reportedly massive contracts they are on).

Extra bit of spice for NRC against West Ham.

 A.Young should be buoyant from his England performance and no doubt Gabby + Downing will want to get back in the fold.

All these together could give us a good performance, plus Gabby usually starts the season on fire.

[pauliewalnuts]

So, just to add extra spice to this game (I'm referring to the inevitable tension there is going to be behind those who back the former manager and those who back the chairman), we now have Collins and Cuellar definitely out, meaning that we'll almost certainly see Luke Young at right back (cue lots of cheers and probably more tension) and Curtis "Noboby Loves Me" Davies given his chance at centre back.

It's been a stressful week, we all know, but fucking hell, how much more exciting is this fixture looking now than it was a week ago (even if for the wrong reasons)?

[CheeriOneill]

Just bought my Ticket for Saturday after failing to renew my Season Tickets and having no intention of going previously! 1-0 to the Chairman I think?

[Concrete John]

oh dry yer eyes chris. Its hardly my fault the guy you continuously said you trusted turned out to have the morale backbone of a common Hodge. Your total wrongness in judging a manager's character is a constant source of amazement and pity. Another shrine to go in the loft next to the dust covered DOL one and the slightly mouldy John Gregory one. I'm sure you'll bounce back :0)

So, how long until you turn on the new manager as he doesn't do exactly as you want and dares to sign a player you don't rate, despite winning games in the meantime?

I'll give it to Christmas.

[WALTERS WARRIORS]

Gotta admit Playing West ham seems a lot more exciting now after the week we have had. Luke Young at RB, Davies (why is no one talking to me and saying i am great) back in defence with Dunney and possibly Ireland with Downing and Petrov ............ :-