West Ham v Aston Villa Pre-Match Thread

[Rob92]

It amazes me how highly rated Collins is by the West Ham fans. Having said that, he suits Big Sam's style of "football"

[tomd2103]

If Holman's out I'd put Delph in not Weiman.

Me too.  Can see the team looking something like:

                    Given

Lowton    Vlaar   Clark  Lichaj / Baker

                     Bannan

       El Ahmadi           Delph
             
                     Ireland

            Bent            N'Zogbia

I've got some reservations about that back line and really hoped the LB situation would have been sorted before the first game. 

[TaxDodger]

2-2. Diarra 2, 10. Bent 56, N'Zogbia 88.

[Villafirst]

We need to make another couple of signings.

Can't see it - Lerner is content to reduce the squad to the bare bones to save his dollars. I just don't see the point of his ownership of the club anymore - what does he get out of it? The playing stock has reduced massively in quality over the last two years.

[not3bad]

We need to make another couple of signings.

Can't see it - Lerner is content to reduce the squad to the bare bones to save his dollars. I just don't see the point of his ownership of the club anymore - what does he get out of it? The playing stock has reduced massively in quality over the last two years.

Right, so this new head of European scouting will be sitting around twiddling his thumbs will he?  I winder if Lerner will get him to mow his lawn.

[Clark W Griswold]

2-1 West Ham, i think that after a promotion back to the top flight a buzzing Upton Park and a team desperate to get off to a good start in front of them will have too much for a probable mid table Villa. We will play ok, but ultimately come up short.
Given, Lowton, Vlaar, Clark, Warnock, Holman, El Ahmadi, Ireland, Gardner, N'Zogbia, Bent. 4-4-1-1 with Holman RM, NZog LM and Ireland in behind Bent.

[dave.woodhall]

Can't see it - Lerner is content to reduce the squad to the bare bones to save his dollars. I just don't see the point of his ownership of the club anymore - what does he get out of it

It gives you something to moan about.

[not3bad]

Any updates on Holman?

[PeterWithesShin]

OUTRAGED Socceroos skipper Lucas Neill was disturbed by the fact Brett Holman's debut with Aston Villa on Saturday was thrown into chaos after a kamikaze Gary Caldwell tackle.

The Wigan and Scotland captain's hatchet job on Holman before the Socceroos crashed 3-1 to the Dark Blues at Edinburgh's Easter Road Stadium on Thursday staggered Neill.

Holman was expecting to experience his first English Premier League clash against West Ham at Upton Park before he was forced off clutching his knee and ankle after Caldwell's bone cruncher before half-time.

"He (Holman) was hobbling a bit, it wasn't the best tackle for a friendly," said Neill a former West Ham captain.

"OK it was a desperate situation but we could of done without that one, he (Holman) could have especially when he wants to make an important impact at Villa.

"Maybe he won't get that chance.

"I know he was in line to play, all the reports coming out of Villa saying they're very happy with him.

"Hopefully he doesn't have to delay his debut in the Premier League."

Holman was one of the Socceroos best performers in a night to forget.

Holman - a former member of Dutch club AZ - had claims for a penalty when his close range effort hit Danny Fox's arm just seconds before Mark Bresciano scored the goal of the game with a 23m volley.

[PeterWithesShin]

Mat Kendrick @MatKendrick
To those asking about the extent of Brett Holman's injury from Australia duty. Hope to know more later or at press conference tomorrow a.m.

[andyh]

Fucking totally meaningless internationals 3 days before the big kick off !
What a load of wank. 

[paul_e]

Caldwell is an absolute donkey at the best of times, hope it's nothing serious.

[OCD]

Ironic to be reading about Lucas Neill talking about a defender making a bad tackle.

[PGW]

Can always bring Hutton back into squad to make up the numbers in this ever diminishing squad!!!

[paul_e]

Can always bring Hutton back into squad to make up the numbers in this ever diminishing squad!!!

Probably just as helpful to pick someone from the crowd.