Well, unless I missed something, in the training photos released from today, I noted the absence of: Matip, Keita, and Thiago.
Unclear why no Thiago, as I thought he’d been back training with the team but was just “not quite ready” for the CL game. I’ve been counting on his return to help solidify the midfield.
I’m assuming at this point that Matip won’t be fit for West Ham, which leaves a choice of Rhys, Nat, or putting a MF back into CB. While I know that Phillips is the more experienced, he also has no long term future at the club, and has actually had less game time than Williams, who has so far acquitted himself very well. Either way, I think it’s vital that we revert to our 4-3-3 and have a very hardworking midfield in front of our back line.
I also think it’s time to put together the most in form of our front 3.
So, I’d go with:
Alisson
TAA Rhys W. Gomez Robbo
Hendo Thiago Gini (if Thiago not fit, then Curtis J.)
Mane Salah Jota
I can’t actually bring myself to be happy about it. He’s caused us loads of problems in the past and West Ham will be ‘easier’ to face without him but he seems like a really good, solid and well spoken lad. I briefly watched some parts of a show with him and a few of the other London based footballers speaking of their upbringing and the trials they faced coming through and how they are looked up to by their communities. He was really down to earth and humble and it’s a pity is injured when he’s in good form.
With all the coverage of VVD’s injury and discussion surrounding Pickford and intent…we are in danger of forgetting the thuggish assault on Thiago, and the games he has missed due to that injury.
Hopefully he is fit for this, and that he plays at the base of a three with Hendo and Gini. Keita us out I think? Up front Mane, Salah and Jota. Mych as I love Bobby he is in the worst form of the 4 so he would miss out.
It seemed more malicious to me. The fact he got a red card and Thiago wasn’t injured as bad as Van Dijk is why outrage towards Richarlison isn’t as much as Pickford. It could have been worse for Thiago actually.
Matip may well be made from a chocolate Easter Egg recipe… but I am sure we knew that pre-signing. Maybe as fans, it is becoming more relevant with each batch of games why he cost us zero pounds in the transfer market…
Having said that, he has played his part in landing us the CL and Premiership…
What should concern us more… Is that there is £100m worth of talent we invested sitting alongside him everyday in the treatment room… Ox and Keita… Anyone got the time to calculate who has been the best value for money for us over the same period of time…! Is this what the future holds for us with these two… If it is what is the answer…?
Moyes asked about us missing Virgil, says the biggest difference is us being without fans, that they’re so important to us. Did he forget that the whole league is without fans? Did he forget how it’s like to have proper support from his fans, considering the crap moves West Ham have been making in last years?
Chamberlain’s injury wasn’t slight. It was described as being very similar to Henderson’s at Brighton which forced him out of the last few weeks and most of the preseason. Keita as far as it is known has no injury. He could still be testing positive for Covid as does Ronaldo and Dybala before them.
Thiago might be involved tomorrow. Keita close. Reconfirmed that Hendo is fit and him being taken off at HT on Weds night was a “responsible” decision given the schedule.
When discussing CB options, he specifically referred to Rhys Williams, Nat Phillips and Billy the Kid (although said he’s been injured). No mention of Sepp at all. Matip still no ready.
