Tuesday 27 September 2011

Baldock Starts Tonight!

Word on the street has it that Little Sam will get the nod from Big Sam to start tonight's game against Ipswich. With fans growing restless about the lack of forward momentum and none of Carew, Cole nor Piquionne looking like goal machines, Allardyce is set to turn to the new Michael Owen to make the net bulge.

The big question is how he will be accommodated? Will he be played out wide like Sears and Hines? Let's hope not because the experience damaged those two. If it is 4-4-2, who plays alongside Baldock? If not Nolan, what happens to Captain Kev? Will it be a diamond, or will Doctor Evil demand that last year's true Player of the Year sheds some pounds over the course of 90 minutes by putting in a proper shift?

Will Bentley replace Faubert? Will Collison get a look in? Will Tomkins start? How about three centre backs with Taylor and O'Brien as wing backs? They are perfectly equipped for the role but can anybody see Allardyce being that inventive? I tell you what, that would be my way forward with a team reading:

Green

Tomkins, Faye, Reid

O'Brien                                    Taylor
Noble

Bentley              Collison

Nolan                
                 Baldock

Remember, this Ipswich team shipped seven at Peterborough. We should go out to murder them tonight.

13 comments:

Anonymous said...

Yes but they shipped none against Middlesborough who you keep telling us are one of the better sides.

Anonymous said...

also forgot to mention that they were reduced to 9 men at some point during the game.

el martillo said...

Not dramatically different from what I suggested before Saturday's game.

Hammersfan said...

1753 - preparing the excuses for another drab performance already? Show some faith man! This is Ipswich. Remember the glory nights against them? The play off semifinals? The last home game of the season in 85-86 - Dickens and Stewart with a penalty, Butcher blooded and furious. Were you there? I was on the pitch at the end of the game - no choice, the entire Noth Bank surged forward. We thought we could win the title that year. The REAL title!

Hammersfan said...

Great minds Marty, great minds.

ashcloud9 said...

Anyone know of any streams for tonight? Thanks!

Anonymous said...

Don't underestimate this Ipswich side. They should have beat Borough as they had the better chances and better play. No point going on about Peterborough as all teams including the Hammers have been drubbed at some point.

Hammersfan said...

A stream of goals into the Ipswich net hopefully! Unlikely mate with Champions League games on tonight.

Hammersfan said...

Live radio commentary available on this link:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/8273126.stm

Or not! That's for the Posh game sorry.

Jibbles said...

Isn't Taylor injured? And possibly Tonks?

el martillo said...

As a new young striker I think it would be far better for Baldock to play with an established centre forward, namely Cole. For that reason, if Nolan has to play I would favour a 3-4-1-2 formation.

I agree that Nolan is already looking a problem, in the immediacy because you can't drop the captain and he plays in a position that pre-determines the shape we adopt, but in the long run have we saddled ourselves with another a highly paid, ageing albatros?

My geordie friends don't seem too distraut at his departure and his old team don't seem to be misssing him too much do they?

Hammersfan said...

Tomkins came on on Saturday and Taylor may be fit...or may not.

el martillo said...

Team's in: Push O'Brien on and you've got my 3-4-1-2 formation.