West Ham v Aston Villa Pre-Match Thread

[dave.woodhall]

I agree and I am approximately there 15 mins before kick off.

just to defend some of the fans that came that day, it is a nightmare to get into West Ham, there was no announcement about the minutes silence and their Stewards hardly said a word about it.

UTV
The Doc

Similar things happened last week. It's downright daft to be holding Remembrance silences on November 1st.

You could have heard a pin drop in Villa Park. The silence was impeccably observed. It was the Club's last chance to do this before 11th November and most people in the ground applauded those taking part as they left the pitch area.

That's all well and good but it's a modern development that has no historical background.

[footyskillz]

Considered a fiorm team and improving from last season obviously the hope was and still is that its Villa but credit West Ham as they are currently playing well.

Adrian GK  somewhat temperamental, good shot stopper less so on deep crosses and being challenge on corners.
Cresswell. LB attacking strength moves forward quickly,  good left foot and can deliver. Chances are often given to opposing players through naive positioning and advancing forward. Can be exploited.Question mark on level not experience .
Jenkins on RB promising full back , is on loan to prove to Arsenal he's top level. however injury prone, suspect in balance but good athlete. Fits into current west ham philosophy of attacking play. A player who is still working on making the right  defensive decisions.
Collins CB rugged defender brought in to play against stoke . Great blocking and tackling , experience vs lack of pace leads to inconsistent performance. also struggles on a 90 minutes level due to injuries . May be retaining place but could sit out depdning injury situations.The choice is between him or Tomkins .
Reid CB Solid dependable centre back likely to play shaking off injury
Midfield
Kouyate has adapted well in the fitness and the physcial presence and attribute to hold and play in midfield. Weakness in passing , decision making but can move with ball . Is adapting to the tactics .
Noble a seemingly fans favourite local boy. Passionate and the one taker. box to box and energetic plays well when crowd get behind him.
DM Song . deployed to take the ball and add the steel in the middle. quality performer though can be both rash and I'll disclpined when things aren't occurring. Can also be a catalyst and major contributor to holding the midfield.
Downing AM Playing in the hole and given opportunity to be a creator. provides a threat on set pieces and crossing. fitness level currently very good and this has produced inspired play and form. Goal threat as well as assist. Danger man.
striker
Valenica technical lly very impressive both from dead ball and in to feet and back to goal. Very Lacey and a real danger. Has a real eye for goal.
Sakho expected to shake off injury to start in attack. Attacking player who is both good in air and shooting. Has adapted well and is a danger in the box. find space well.

[Dennis Evans]

I agree and I am approximately there 15 mins before kick off.

just to defend some of the fans that came that day, it is a nightmare to get into West Ham, there was no announcement about the minutes silence and their Stewards hardly said a word about it.

UTV
The Doc

Similar things happened last week. It's downright daft to be holding Remembrance silences on November 1st.

You could have heard a pin drop in Villa Park. The silence was impeccably observed. It was the Club's last chance to do this before 11th November and most people in the ground applauded those taking part as they left the pitch area.

That's all well and good but it's a modern development that has no historical background.

Some of us like to pay our respects.

[dave.woodhall]

Some of us like to pay our respects.

Indeed we do. But there were another ten days in which to do so; I can't see the point of it so early.

[Dennis Evans]

Some of us like to pay our respects.

Indeed we do. But there were another ten days in which to do so; I can't see the point of it so early.

As I said, it was the Club's last chance before 11 Nov.

[Clampy]

I didn't mind last weeks minutes silence too much but I think the match closest to the date would be better all round I think.

[dave.woodhall]

Some of us like to pay our respects.

Indeed we do. But there were another ten days in which to do so; I can't see the point of it so early.

As I said, it was the Club's last chance before 11 Nov.

That's as maybe, but there was still no need. We'll all have plenty of opportunity in the days leading up to November 11th.

[BoskoDjembaSalifou]

I thought that it had already been said that the Scottish Cafu was out until the new year. Was his injury not as bad as first thought?

Must've missed that then. I hope he'll be back before 2015, he's been our best player this season.

[pauliewalnuts]

I like to pay my respects, and I think it is incredibly important that we remember those who gave their lives for us, but I don't see why it is that football clubs feel (in recent years) they have to have one, too, even if the match is 10 days before November 11th.

If the match is on the 11th, then yes, obviously, but it seems strange to do it over a week before.

We all get our chance to pay our respects on the 11th. I don't know why recently we find ourselves doing it 10 days before - at least not any more than any of the other 364 days of the year.

[Legion]

So do I. This year I will be paying my respects at least four times. Villa at home. Villa away. Work. The actual moment.

[paulcomben]

Reports indicate that Hutton & Senderos will miss this match but Carroll is likely to return. Why not just rename our club Strikers Revived FC?

[David_Nab]

Will we stop West Ham scoring ..unlikely
Will we score more than one ...even more unlikely

[Dennis Evans]

All these people joining in with the official forum line about the silence (belittling it) should be ashamed of themselves. I had heard from other forums that H&V was full of people who just followed their leader. Now it has been confirmed. Most of the forum are good people but a small bunch sit there waiting to pounce on people, even if they agree with them. A dreadful collection of folk occupy the group of stooges and let down the majority of decent people on this forum.

[dave.woodhall]

All these people joining in with the official forum line about the silence (belittling it) should be ashamed of themselves. I had heard from other forums that H&V was full of people who just followed their leader. Now it has been confirmed. Most of the forum are good people but a small bunch sit there waiting to pounce on people, even if they agree with them. A dreadful collection of folk occupy the group of stooges and let down the majority of decent people on this forum.

Nice one Dennis. Now, before you run back to your little friends and tell them what a horrible, nasty man I am and they all agree, how about you, for once, pointing out one bit of evidence that backs up what you've just said? Just one post, then you can go back home.

[Dennis Evans]

All these people joining in with the official forum line about the silence (belittling it) should be ashamed of themselves. I had heard from other forums that H&V was full of people who just followed their leader. Now it has been confirmed. Most of the forum are good people but a small bunch sit there waiting to pounce on people, even if they agree with them. A dreadful collection of folk occupy the group of stooges and let down the majority of decent people on this forum.

Nice one Dennis. Now, before you run back to your little friends and tell them what a horrible, nasty man I am and they all agree, how about you, for once, pointing out one bit of evidence that backs up what you've just said? Just one post, then you can go back home.

Dave. There are loads on this forum that are far worse than you. Don't take it personally.