Tuesday 17 November 2009

Plimpsole Line On The Claret And Blue Hull


This weekend is truly do or die. I well remember saying, the season we went down, that if we couldn't beat West Brom we would be relegated. We lost at home 1-0 in just the fourth game of the season and, as far as I was concerned, the writing was on the wall from that point forward. The critical defeat in the end was, of course, the 1-0 reverse at Bolton five games before the season ended and even a Trevor Brooking inspired Great Escape was not enough to keep us afloat.

Well if we lose at Hull, that is curtains. Hull are a poor team managed by a dead man walking and, despite their victory over Stoke, are there for the taking. If we can't beat that pile of shite, we don't belong in the Prem.

But how will Zola play it? Will there be echoes of that Bolton defeat, when we waited until we were behind before we looked like we wanted to win? Unfortunately Zola's approach has been to give the opposition a goal or two start before turning to his cavalry. Well, in my opinion, we cannot adopt a negative approach for this game. Cole is back and so is Ilunga. Diamanti must start at the top of a diamond, with Franco paired with Cole, and Hines and Stanislas available if necessary when the opposition defenders tire. Parker, Behrami and Collison pick themselves in midfield and Da Costa has earned the right to partner Upson in the centre of defence. Faubert or Spector at right back? I would go for Spector's extra height personally.

Zola must send out a positive message with his selection and the players should be told to wipe the floor with these toothless tigers! Should we lose, we will be hulled below the water line and the good ship West Ham will sink without trace, with the rats abandoning ship as soon as the January transfer window opens!

15 comments:

Anonymous said...

very good article. Just about sums up the importance of this game. Big month ahead

Edz said...

I wouldn't say the game is as decisive as you say, as from what I've seen from us so far this season we are capable of being very good to very average. It is just up to the players which one they will take to Hull. I really would hate for us to underestimate them even if we do win, I want a convincing performance for the first team this season where we can shut up shop and win by two goals.

Anonymous said...

oh dear that might have tempted providence, we hope ha ha

Anonymous said...

Cannot believe your arrogance m8. You will get what you deserve.

Anonymous said...

Whose got more points, end of it

Stani Army said...

We just need to take our chances HF. I lost count of the the number of CLEAR CUT chances we had against Everton. We've done this in a number of games and it's the reason why we're in this position because we've been playing well, just not scoring.

I hope he had the strikers and the midfielders in front of goal all week during training. We need to stop practising those triangles for a while and start shooting into the corners of the goal.

OSP said...

You joining the 2500 travelling Hammers for this crucial game? No you will be jerking off in front of your computer screen hoping that it all goes tits up.

Anonymous said...

Is this the same shite that beat you at the KC last season - Dick!!!

Anonymous said...

"Hull are a poor team managed by a dead man walking"
---------------------------------------

7 points from their last 3 home games kinda pisses all over that theory..

Wouldn't you agree..?

TBI said...

We ain't going to get anything out of this game. They have their tails up after beating Stoke and our confidence is dented after losing to a poor Everton side at home.

Hammersfan said...

9.50, No. I heard their chairman interviewed before the Stoke game. It isn't only about results. He doesn't like Brown and is itching to sack him. The dressing room is divided too. Who have they beaten this season? Couldn't score at home to Pompey!

To the Hull fans, you are a shite team. Look at your results since Christmas. I don't say we will win but that we should win.

Anonymous said...

Don't know how you work out that 'Pearson doesn't like Brown' ... it was Pearson, after all, who brought him to HCFC in the first place, and then trusted him to take the reins when Parkinson lost the plot.

Still, someone who spells 'plimsoll' as 'plimpsole' obviously can't count thinking among his strengths.

Should be a good game today.

Hammersfan said...

0845, it was a pun. Footwear, football, Hull, ships...you know...

Anonymous said...

Err, no. Still don't get it.

And if we're a shite team, what are you? 2-0 up and we ragdolled you.

Consider yourself lucky that we had a man (unfairly) sent off.

Without that, we'd have buried you and you know it.

Hammersfan said...

1922, I haven't hid from that fact if you read the match report and the article on Zola. Mind you, to say your guy didn't deserve to be sent off is absurd - the ref had no choice. Franco should have gone too though. You see, it is possible to be honest!