That Europa cup thingy

we're all doomed...

According to a few post on 'the other forum' Bilic has stated that none of the starting 11 on Thursday will be starters against Arsenal, read in to that what you will

It means billic very much knows the league is the priority, so either the reserves and youth come through or it's a learning curve

which was why it was so important not to let the opposition get two fupping away goals last week!!!!!

On the positive side, this Europa thingy has allowed us all to get pissed off, annoyed and frustrated weeks earlier than everyone else! Nothing like an early start, is there!!

SemiOldIron wrote:On the positive side, this Europa thingy has allowed us all to get pissed off, annoyed and frustrated weeks earlier than everyone else! Nothing like an early start, is there!!

westhamonkey wrote:

which was why it was so important not to let the opposition get two fupping away goals last week!!!!!

I hear you dude. I'm still frustrated on Monday evening about that. I desperately wanted a good European campaign.

alfiehammer wrote:

westhamonkey wrote:

which was why it was so important not to let the opposition get two fupping away goals last week!!!!!

I hear you dude. I'm still frustrated on Monday evening about that. I desperately wanted a good European campaign.

or at least the op to get in there and play a few competitive games when it meant something - not get knocked out with the no-hopers before the fun even starts...

Too much chopping and changing for me by Slaven in the Europa so far.

The youngsters that were given a chance in the opening round should have got more of a look in in the following round rather than playing a team from last seasons squad that had no pace and just about dragged us through on penalties.

Last week saw another change of team for the 2-2 draw and we'll probably see some sort of mash up of a team of youngsters mixed with fringe players from last season for the return leg.

Id give Spiegel a go in goal and make sure the likes of Burke, Page, Oxford, Cullen and Lee get a full game assuming they are all fit.

^^^ I'd do the exact opposite, play our best team and sacrifice the chances of the 3 pints at the goners

Kray JR wrote:Too much chopping and changing for me by Slaven in the Europa so far.

The youngsters that were given a chance in the opening round should have got more of a look in in the following round rather than playing a team from last seasons squad that had no pace and just about dragged us through on penalties.

Last week saw another change of team for the 2-2 draw and we'll probably see some sort of mash up of a team of youngsters mixed with fringe players from last season for the return leg.

Id give Spiegel a go in goal and make sure the likes of Burke, Page, Oxford, Cullen and Lee get a full game assuming they are all fit.

I'd defy give Spiegel a chance between the posts - Randolph hasn't exactly been an inspiration in the gems he's played.

I guess it comes down to figuring out which is the most of a kind of thing... or something...

The Premier League is a long haul deal - a win or a loss on any particular weekend can (in theory) be negated by results later down the line

The Europa League is a lose and you go home - no repeat, no second chances deal (especially at this stage)

So...

Is it more important to get the result we need in Romania to give us a chance of progressing in Europe

Or...

Is it something we don't really care about period?

Then...

Is losing or winning the first Premier League game of the season really that important one way or another?

Does a loss set the tone or does a win set the tone in a way that a potentially positive result in week two can't put right?

Which then leads to...

What are the odds of beating Arsenal anyway?

We're playing pretty shitty at the moment - as we have done since December 2014... Arsenal have been destroying it in pre-season and beat Chelsea in their first 'competitive' (I know it's the Charity Shield) game...

So if we feel we're unlikely to get a result against the Arse... is it more important to try to ensure we get thru to the next round of the Europa League???




which is all a bit of a mind fupp...

but then there's this...



WHAT THE fupp IS OUR PREFERRED OR BEST STARTING 11 ANYWAY????


Does anyone know?

And if no one has any idea who our best starting 11 is (and we ain't got any clues from the fish-mash of selection and formations in pre-season) that how do we even tell what a stronger or weaker West Ham team is these days?

For me I feel we need to do two things to set the season off in an ok fashion i) win in Romainia and ii) avoid an embarrassing defeat against Arsenal. Few people expect us to beat Arsenal at their place on day one but everyone expected us to progress through the early stages of the EuroCup. Do that and expectations are met and Slavan avoids getting off on the wrong foot.

I kinda agree. Thinking being we have nothing to lose but lots to gain (prestige, more Europe games under the lights at UP, chance of bringing in names and experience for all-p,layers, staff, fans and profile raising)

Losing against Le Arse ain't gonna cause waves-it is pretty much expected (especially on pre-season form) It's a shame and a wasted opportunity if, as been reported, Bilic doesn't put any first team starters for the Arsenal game in on Thursday.

Plus, it's the start of the season! Players should be able to manage two games in a week-bit different if it was May.

Nothing to lose, all to gain

the team has touched down in Romania...

no official word on a line up or squad but pictures show...


Jenkinson
Nolan
Lanzini
Poyet
Maiga
Randolph (gulp)

so it's gonna be interesting to see who rounds out the Euro squad

JulianDicksLeftKnee wrote:I kinda agree. Thinking being we have nothing to lose but lots to gain (prestige, more Europe games under the lights at UP, chance of bringing in names and experience for all-p,layers, staff, fans and profile raising)

Losing against Le Arse ain't gonna cause waves-it is pretty much expected (especially on pre-season form) It's a shame and a wasted opportunity if, as been reported, Bilic doesn't put any first team starters for the Arsenal game in on Thursday.

Plus, it's the start of the season! Players should be able to manage two games in a week-bit different if it was May.

Nothing to lose, all to gain

Bang on, word for word. Specially the part the players should be able to play two games in 72 hours as a one off.

I can see a starting line-up of

             Randolph
Jenkinson Oxford Henry Page
        Nolan Poyet
Amalfitano Lanzini Jarvis
             Maiga

I can't see any point in playing maiga. To put it in real word terms, the guys on his redundancy period, knows he's off, knows he's not wanted, hardly going to bust a nut or do a diving header in a crowded box for us is he? May as well start with 10 men

I don't think it is that he isn't trying dude, he just isn't that good.

He'll score tonight after saying that.

the teams...

Let's face it, we lost this tie last week. In my opinion it's more important to perform at the Emirates and Bilic is doing the right thing. These lads have next to no chance out there but it will be good experience for them... and you never know what might happen!

Goaaaaalllllllll! Lanzini gives West Ham the perfect start, collecting possession in the left channel, cutting inside and firing home via the keeper's hand and the post. 1-0!
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Brilliant!! Now all we have to do is sit on it for 85 minutes. Where's BFS when you need him??

don't get too excited...

1-1 on the night

3-3 on aggregate

at this point we are OUT on away goals if nothing changes

we need to score a minimum of 1 goal to win

another goal each and we're extra time and penalties...

any draw beyond a 2-2 scoreline sees us through on away goals

obviously, lose tonight and we're out till next year, or the year after... or whenever

oh well... while I was typing that... the Romanians scored again...

2-1 on the night

4-3 on agg

We're pretty much out unless we get our shit together