West Ham United v Aston Villa Pre Match Thread.

[Goldie.7]

Wet Spam haven't drew consecutive matches since last February, and the last time both of our league games ended in a draw was 20 years ago. This game screams "all or nothing" to me.

1-1 until the 92nd minute. We get a penalty - it's saved, but we score from the rebound. 1-2 Us.

[Hillbilly]

They've picked up a bit of form, we've picked up a bit of form. Hard to call which makes me nervous so 1-0 defeat.

[robbo1874]

Lot more at stake for us though. You’d hope our players want the 3 points a lot more than theirs.

[Axl Rose]

Everybody remember Sendo?

From KUMB

What is it the boss calls it? The axis of entitlement or something like that?

These lot think they're a massive club, on a level with Man Utd or Liverpool, and deserve to be one of the top teams year in year out regardless.

The reality is they're a **** house team with one decent player.

I hope we turn up and spank them. They've only got one goal a game in them. Score early and we can sit back and counter. Score a second and they might well crumble.

Well what an absolute fucking shithouse he is.

I thought he was our buddy?

I thought he was an irritating bellend. The above quote hints at that.

[Big Ming]

So.

We will be playing four (home and away) West Mids league derby fixtures next season.

Baggies and Dogheads.....  OR.......   Noses and The Homeless.

Christ.

Please get this right, Villa.

[KevinGage]

We coughed up a few set pieces against a below par Arsenal (nine corners and a few free kicks in and around the final third) the other night. Impressive for them that they still didn't manage a shot on goal even with that.

We concede that many against West Ham and they will have shots on goal. In the few Wham games I've seen since the restart they clearly work on it and it's a fruitful source of chances for them.

They also bullied Yanited off the ball at times on Wednesday.  OK, Yanited aren't what they were, but you don't often see teams do that at OT.

Keep it tight the first 30 minutes or so (or ideally an early goal for us) and we'll be reet, McGrath willing.

Don't fancy us if we go behind and have to chase the game.

[ChicagoLion]

Agree KG , we really do not want to concede first,
I am not sure if I want to watch us, Arse, both or avoid everything until it’s all over.

[Dave]

I dreamt last night that we were 1-0 up after three minutes,  2-0 up after 5 minutes and we eventually won 8-0.

Lucas Moura was our first goalscorer though, so probably don't put any money on it.

[Skerra]

This will be the most challenging match, tactically, this season for Dean. Put yourself in his shoes. Does he keep it really tight, due to our slender better goal difference or “go for it” to try to get an early goal. I’ve no doubt at all that he will have someone watching the Watford and Bournemouth matches, to keep him up to date with, not only for the scores but, also with the way those teams are playing.
The team shape in our last game was about as good as I have seen all season so, that would be a good start. Also, a thankless task for our lone striker but, they they really need to run their hearts out even if it’s just for 45 minutes each for Samatta and Davis. I’m sure we all would love it if, come the end of the game to give each of our players 10 out of 10 for their performances.
Let’s all, team and us fans have a really positive mental attitude and, If so, I’m sure we will be celebrating come the end of the game. UTV!!

[Lastfootstamper]

Consistent pressure has to be the way to go. Like a strongman pulling a train or a plane, focused and determined, and always mindful that we have to keep going all the way to the line. If we let up for even a moment, it could mean curtains. And don't give away corners.

A repeat of the last game, I think. 1-0, much soiling of underwear and clutching of left arms, but it'll do. Jack with our goal, the cherry on a performance that sticks another zero on his value.

[Risso]

We're going to have to watch Antonio very carefully.  At the age of 30 and a career that has mostly amounted to the square root of fuck all, he's now decided this is the time to turn into Ronaldo and has got 8 goals in his last 6 games.

[cdbearsfan]

I dreamt last night that we were 1-0 up after three minutes,  2-0 up after 5 minutes and we eventually won 8-0.

Lucas Moura was our first goalscorer though, so probably don't put any money on it.

Too late, I've gone for a double of Villa to win eight-nil, Arsenal to be leading at half-time but lose eleven-one.

[Olof's Beard]

It's going to be torture, I'm not sure how much I'll be able to watch. Once the euphoria of Tuesday dissipated, I've been feeling a bit sick following the realisation that relegation will feel all the worse for the hope we've generated. Holding on at Everton wouldn't half had helped too.

West Ham have good players who have had a bad season. Now they are in form, you can see they have quality throughout the team and they are also strong in areas we aren't, such as pace and strength. I think Soucek has made a big difference for them and Rice has come back into form alongside him. They are a sturdy pair of big bastards in the middle and McGinn and Hourihane will need to be right on it. West Ham are also unbeaten in 9 against the bottom 5 apparently, which has made me feel no better.

The various permutations are driving me a bit mad too. Let's say we're 2-0 down (please no) with ten minutes left, which Watford are 1-0 down and Bournemouth are drawing at Everton. In that scenario, a single goal from any of West Ham, Watford or Bournemouth would send us down. So, what does the team do? Dig in, 'protect' our goal difference and hope the others don't score? Go all out for a goal or even better two to secure our own fate? It could be a right pain.

That's why I understand the point earlier about it being easier for Bournemouth in terms of their approach, because they know they have to win by any scoreline and that's it.

So, if we could be 3-0 up by half time, that would be awesome. In reality, I think we're best of keeping it compact in the first time and making sure we go in at least level and try to nick one second half. Think the draw is the most likely enough and hopefully it will be enough!

[JD]

I dreamt last night that we were 1-0 up after three minutes,  2-0 up after 5 minutes and we eventually won 8-0.

Lucas Moura was our first goalscorer though, so probably don't put any money on it.

Too late, I've gone for a double of Villa to win eight-nil, Arsenal to be leading at half-time but lose eleven-one.

Tell Damon to put some money on these outcomes.

[ChicagoLion]

I guess the 3rd kit gets a run out.