Team v West Ham

[absolute bobbins]

As much as I want to start Bale, I can see some West Ham prick putting a 'marker' on him in the first five minutes. So I'd try and start with the same team that started vs United and introduce Bale in the second half.

 

[Hazelton]

I'd say it's almost certain that Bale won't be starting straight away, he'll be slowly worked into the team from the bench.

I'd be inclined to play the same team as United, personally. Not sure how you drop anyone after that.

 

[Shadydan]

--------------------Lloris----------------------
--Doherty---Sanchez---Dier---Davies--
------------Lo Celso----Hojbjerg-------------
------------------Ndombele------------------
-------Lamela------Kane--------Son----------
​

Absolutely essential we have our tallest defenders on the pitch because West Ham's biggest weapon by far is their aerial threat - Antonio, Soucek, Rice, Diop all good in the air and it wouldn't surprise me if Jose will get them working hard to stop that.

Lamela to start and Bale to come on.

 

[Vincent30]

Though I agree with your sentiment, at this moment in time, I seriously don’t think Dier and PEH should be untouchable mainstays in the side. Dier especially.

hopefully Reguilon and Lo Celso can cement themselves on that undisputed status. They both are on their way.

PEH for me should be an untouchable, take him out the middle of the park and we lose so much bite and awareness. Real leader who drives us forward. We are a hell of lot weaker without him in CM.

 

[whitechina]

The same that started MU game.
The only change would be to bring in Doherty as he has a good arial record and WHAM use this route 1 alot

 

[Who’s our next manager?]

As much as I want to start Bale, I can see some West Ham prick putting a 'marker' on him in the first five minutes. So I'd try and start with the same team that started vs United and introduce Bale in the second half.

More attention to Bale = Less attention to Kane and Son

 

[John48]

Until we know who's back from Internationals it's too early to speculate on this.

Not sure they've got as many away as we have & if that's correct they have an advantage right there.

 

[BringBack_leGin]

Until we know who's back from Internationals it's too early to speculate on this.

Not sure they've got as many away as we have & if that's correct they have an advantage right there.

Son, Dele, Bale, Lucas, Lamela, Vinicius, Ndombele, Sissoko, Lo Celso, Tanganga, Hart have not traveled.

Hart
Sissoko Tanganga Vinicius Bale
Ndombele Lo Celso
Lucas Lamela Dele
Son
​

Reckon we’d win with this team?

 

[ShayLaB]

Son, Dele, Bale, Lucas, Lamela, Vinicius, Ndombele, Sissoko, Lo Celso, Tanganga, Hart have not traveled.

Hart
Sissoko Tanganga Vinicius Bale
Ndombele Lo Celso
Lucas Lamela Dele
Son
​

Reckon we’d win with this team?

Well, that's just stupid.

Bergwijn for Lucas all day long.

 

[EQP]

Some days to go but why not start with some fun already. In a good case everyone will be available and cause Jose a headache who to leave out.

Things can change and players can get injured but i start for now:

---------------------Lloris-----------------
Aurier-Alderweireld-Dier-Sergio
------------Lo Celso----Hojbjerg------
-----------------Ndombele--------------
----Bale----------Kane----------Son---

Subs: Hart, Davies, Sissoko, Winks, Lamela, Lucas, Vinicius

Left out: Gazza, Sanchez, Doherty, Tanganga, Gedson, Dele, Bergwijn - what to do?

Good team.

 

[Don_Felipe]

West Ham fans are going to LOVE the Bale countdown this week.

They'll get to see a lot of Upton Park at least

 

[ComfortablyNumb]

We just put six past Utd at their gaff. No way should we drop anyone who’s fit from that team. How could you even consider that?

 

[Mr Pink]

We just put six past Utd at their gaff. No way should we drop anyone who’s fit from that team. How could you even consider that?

Because it's a different type of game mate. I wouldn't be looking to change too much but West Ham will leave a lot less space than United will.

They'll also pose a bigger threat at set pieces.

I'd keep the same team, but if fit Lo Celso in for Sissoko.

 

[barry]

Interesting listening to José in his documentary talking about untouchables. He was referring to lampard as one of his untouchables.

At spurs I think we can already name a few,

Lloris, dier, PEH, Kane and son.

The team is pretty much interchangeable around the rest. Bale of course may become one as well.

The battles are toby Vs davinson (could be a tactical decision as well). The full backs. And the rest of the midfield.

Though within a few games we could have ndombele, lo celso added to that list.

So we are slowly getting to know our first 11 again. I have high hopes for davinson and reguillon. Which leaves only the right back.

I thought it was Doherty but this could get interesting. It's Serge at the moment.

I'm not a Dier hater, but he certainly shouldn't be an untouchable

 

[Shadydan]

I'm not a Dier hater, but he certainly shouldn't be an untouchable

Jose likes him because he has the right mentality, I think he can improve though.

 

[Shadydan]

We just put six past Utd at their gaff. No way should we drop anyone who’s fit from that team. How could you even consider that?

West Ham have a considerable arieal threat, I'd be looking to bring in some height for that very reason.

 

[spurs mental]

Jose won't give a damn that we put 6 passed United. The next game is the game that matters. Take your eye off West Ham and start thinking about how good it was v United is foolish and he'll be telling them as much.

He will pick a team that will enable us to exploit their weaknesses and defend against their strengths. It might be the same XI, but it probably won't. I'd expect to see Sissoko start for his energy and strength in the midfield.

Lloris
Doherty Dier Sanchez Reggie
PEH Sissoko
Ndombele
Lucas Kane Son
​

That should allow out two full backs to bomb down the flanks again.

 

[chrissivad]

We just put six past Utd at their gaff. No way should we drop anyone who’s fit from that team. How could you even consider that?

Depends on when players are back. I would expect Toby in for Sanchez and he will be back later.
If Lo Celso is fit I can see him coming in.

 

[rez9000]

We just put six past Utd at their gaff. No way should we drop anyone who’s fit from that team. How could you even consider that?

Different tactics - pure and simple. Just because it worked at Old Trampford doesn't mean it'll work at the London Stadium.

This is Jose we're talking about - he'll formulate the strategy he thinks will win the game, and 'staff' it with the players he thinks will most effectively execute his strategy. He will take into consideration individual form, but it won't be the only criterion he uses.

EDIT: On a side note, and I don't suggest this is what Jose'll do, but something I wouldn't be surprised if he did do, is talk up Bale all through the week, but then completely leave him out of this game. Pure, unadulterated mind games - Spam'll be thinking about how to handle Bale all week and Jose doesn't even bring him to the match. Disarray!

 

[TheTanguy]

Different tactics - pure and simple. Just because it worked at Old Trampford doesn't mean it'll work at the London Stadium.

It's in our stadium (not that it will make much difference to what you are saying).