Liverpool vs West Ham | PL | 28.2.26 | Predictions & Match Thread

[Mad Ferret]

Thanks MF.

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Match Centre: 

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 Odds: 
WHU: 6/1
Draw: 4/1
Bin Dippers: 6/1

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Due a result at Anfield.

.........................Hermanson

AWB.....Mavropanos.....Disasi....Diouf

Bowen.....Magassa.....Fernandes.....Summerville

............................Soucek

........................Taty Costalot

[Massive Attack]

Lightning doesn’t strike twice. 

Not with their limited poor squad up against Liverpool in the short space of a 3 day turnaround. However unlike us who were 3-0 down by half time they managed to at least get in level at HT with a worse squad than ours to cope with that context. 

[twoleftfeet]

Lightning doesn’t strike twice. 

[Massive Attack]

No idiotic is thinking we could outscore Liverpool at Anfield attacking as much as we did instead of defending well to get a result.
 

[twoleftfeet]

I see Wolves doing the same gameplan as they did on Liverpool the other night to good effect again showing us how it's done against them.

Idiot.

[Massive Attack]

I see Wolves doing the same gameplan as they did on Liverpool the other night to good effect again showing us how it's done against them.

[Hammer I am]

Fucking hell, digging up an old match thread to have a moan up after a win. A new WHO low

[El Scorchio]

Yet everyone always says Liverpool and the likes away is a free hit and to go for it. This seems very revisionist and reactionary thing to say. Any manager that sits back at Liverpool gets pelters when they win inevitably against us and now pelters when we don’t and they win inevitably against us. Let’s be fair. The grumble is about the result rather than how the game was approached. 

No harm done re last night though and Wilson got his start in the must win game. 

 

[Massive Attack]

Defending doggedly against Liverpool is th exact behaviour that makes everyone on here piss their pants in fury about the manager. Also we don’t have five decent subs to bring on. 

Also we as on many times have done. We can actually play well at Liverpool and just get shat on by tj gods of luck and come away losing. Good on Wolves for winning but we didn’t really do anything wrong against Liverpool and got shat on as had happened countless times. 

He should know his fixtures when to go for it and when not to be so naive. Going toe to toe with Liverpool trying to outscore them at Anfield was idiotic and was never going to work with these set of players (He doesn't have the likes of Payet and Lanzini to play that way). And he did have Subs to bring on, to the point he didn't even bother playing Wilson at all. Edwards showed him up how to get a result against them and in a far worse position than us.

Just as importantly he mismanaged the players minutes by over using them in such an unlikely fixture to get a result. Only Magassa was given a little breather on 76 minutes whilst everyone else was expected to complete a full game whilst we had such an important game just days away today. He failed freshening up the line-up for today when he had 5 Subs he could have used.

[El Scorchio]

Defending doggedly against Liverpool is th exact behaviour that makes everyone on here piss their pants in fury about the manager. Also we don’t have five decent subs to bring on. 

Also we as on many times have done. We can actually play well at Liverpool and just get shat on by tj gods of luck and come away losing. Good on Wolves for winning but we didn’t really do anything wrong against Liverpool and got shat on as had happened countless times. 

[Massive Attack]

If anyone wants an example of good in-game management against the same opposition we just faced of how to not only get a result against Liverpool but to actually beat them last night compared to what we done.

Wolves doggedly defended for their lives 0-0, then Edwards makes all 5 Subs 2nd half with 3 as early as the 60 minute mark to great effect with 1 of the Subs on the 70th min mark scoring their important 1st goal. Deservedly running out eventual winners. Whereas we wait until the 76th minute to make our first, bringing on a donkey and then 2 pointless 90th minute Subs to waste time already losing 5-2.

This is the worst Premier League side who have had a shocking season too, so can't even say they are a decent side.

 

[southbankbornnbred]

Watch the goals again. For the first three goals, he never leaves his line at the corner, he never once attacks the ball (all three land inside the six yard box, even the first goal which is never cleared). And he only creates confusion for his defenders, who also didn’t deal with set pieces well.

Watch the action, but don’t watch the ball - watch our keeper. He’s fucking terrible. For the second goal, he actually grabs Gomez and purposefully stays on his line.

He doesn’t know what he’s doing at set pieces. He has absolutely no presence inside his own box. Absolute waste of money.

I had the same thoughts and wondered why he didn't attack the ball for the second one. The box was congested, but that's no excuse. 

I don't know why he's the automatic first choice now. In the games where he did keep a clean sheet, he wasn't tested at all. He had an easy day. 

His “effort” on the second goal was absolutely shameful. Gomez just backed into him, but you need to be stronger to shove him out of the way. Ludo or Parkes would have sent him flying and he’d have got a knee in his back.

[southbankbornnbred]

There’s a bit of a paradox emerging with Premier League keepers this season. For the last few years, everybody has tried to copy the Pep/sweeper keeper model where goalies need to be good with their feet.

But savvy, well-coached sides - like Liverpool, Arsenal etc - have got wise to the need to be ultra-physical at set pieces (overloads etc) and are scoring a lot of goals against keepers who are not as good in the air.

The pendulum is swinging back to needing a big, physical Ludo-style keeper - or it makes you vulnerable at set pieces. Of course, if you have a keeper that can do both you’re fine: but they will cost a bomb.

I’d like to see us sign a keeper who is physically more dominant on crosses. The nimble footwork is fine, but it’s a luxury.

[Dick Shaftsbury]

Watch the goals again. For the first three goals, he never leaves his line at the corner, he never once attacks the ball (all three land inside the six yard box, even the first goal which is never cleared). And he only creates confusion for his defenders, who also didn’t deal with set pieces well.

Watch the action, but don’t watch the ball - watch our keeper. He’s fucking terrible. For the second goal, he actually grabs Gomez and purposefully stays on his line.

He doesn’t know what he’s doing at set pieces. He has absolutely no presence inside his own box. Absolute waste of money.

I had the same thoughts and wondered why he didn't attack the ball for the second one. The box was congested, but that's no excuse. 

I don't know why he's the automatic first choice now. In the games where he did keep a clean sheet, he wasn't tested at all. He had an easy day. 

[onsideman]

Two clean sheets and one goal conceded in the last three games Hermansen played in, so it's harsh to dig him out. I've only seen the first goal from yesterday but the defending was shit for that deflected goal and I understand two more of the goals were deflections.

Areola was dropped for a reason. He is also abysmal at dealing with crosses and was personally culpable for giving away the foul for Forest's late penalty winner against us which could well ultimately be the difference in the relegation battle.

Both keepers are bang average and although it was cumulative Areola was ultimately dropped for his performance in the Chelsea game, where his indecsion/positioning cost 2 goals. I thought Hermansen had put his early form behind him and he was starting to look assured, especially with the ball at his feet, but yesterday proved otherwise and I fear that trend is likley to continue if he retains his place. We've conceded 5 goals twice this season, both occasions with him between the sticks

[southbankbornnbred]

And don’t ask what AWB was doing for their fourth goal. He backed off for miles and just let Gakpo wander a few yards from goal without even threatening to make a challenge.

At some point you have to engage and make a tackle. We’re still poor at too many basic things. Other clubs drill this stuff out of players.

[southbankbornnbred]

Watch the goals again. For the first three goals, he never leaves his line at the corner, he never once attacks the ball (all three land inside the six yard box, even the first goal which is never cleared). And he only creates confusion for his defenders, who also didn’t deal with set pieces well.

Watch the action, but don’t watch the ball - watch our keeper. He’s fucking terrible. For the second goal, he actually grabs Gomez and purposefully stays on his line.

He doesn’t know what he’s doing at set pieces. He has absolutely no presence inside his own box. Absolute waste of money.

[Come On You Irons]

Two clean sheets and one goal conceded in the last three games Hermansen played in, so it's harsh to dig him out. I've only seen the first goal from yesterday but the defending was shit for that deflected goal and I understand two more of the goals were deflections.

Areola was dropped for a reason. He is also abysmal at dealing with crosses and was personally culpable for giving away the foul for Forest's late penalty winner against us which could well ultimately be the difference in the relegation battle.

[Tomshardware]

The Van Dyke goal is abysmal defending. 

[southbankbornnbred]

That midget keeper (he is NOT 6ft 2) is a fucking liability in the Premier League. No presence, terrified to come off his line at set pieces, can’t jump and can’t catch.

He also spreads panic and uncertainty among his defenders at set pieces. He’s got to get off his line and attack the ball when it’s inside his six yard box. Your defenders will hesitate if you do.

He was diabolical today. Areola is a better keeper. Which says everything.

Unfortunately, you're right
I was hoping he'd come out the other side of his disastrous start but that's put him right back again. He'll be proper targeted IF he keeps his place

Yep, he’s just not very good. And he spreads fear in his own defence.

Every team targets him at set pieces, which puts huge pressure on defenders. The whole point of your keeper is that he’s the one person in the box who can attack the ball with his hands to help your defence. This guy just stays frozen to his line (watch yesterday’s goals). He’s no help at all. Diabolical.

He’s not selectable during a relegation battle, in my view. We have a (slightly) better keeper.

[onsideman]

That midget keeper (he is NOT 6ft 2) is a fucking liability in the Premier League. No presence, terrified to come off his line at set pieces, can’t jump and can’t catch.

He also spreads panic and uncertainty among his defenders at set pieces. He’s got to get off his line and attack the ball when it’s inside his six yard box. Your defenders will hesitate if you do.

He was diabolical today. Areola is a better keeper. Which says everything.

Unfortunately, you're right
I was hoping he'd come out the other side of his disastrous start but that's put him right back again. He'll be proper targeted IF he keeps his place

[southbankbornnbred]

That midget keeper (he is NOT 6ft 2) is a fucking liability in the Premier League. No presence, terrified to come off his line at set pieces, can’t jump and can’t catch.

He also spreads panic and uncertainty among his defenders at set pieces. He’s got to get off his line and attack the ball when it’s inside his six yard box. Your defenders will hesitate if you do.

He was diabolical today. Areola is a better keeper. Which says everything.

[Eerie Decent]

Of course you did.

I waited to see him play for us first before making that call.

[Come On You Irons]

The curse of hammer of the year. He was dropped first few games of the season, wasnt he? Seems to have got into a sulk and cant be arsed. Will be first gone out the door if we go down.

I think sadly he's just a bit away with the fairies. Terrible back post defender. Terrible awareness. Good carrier. But that's he's known for going to ground slide tackling is because he's a last ditch desperado. Backs off and back off....KWP a superior football in all ways IMO except for ball carrying. 

Plus, AWB is in my opinion lazy or just so lacking in awareness. Was the same under Lopetegui at the start too. How many goals this year have come from crosses from our left (which Diouf NEVER cuts out to the back post where AWB hasn't bothered to track his man or has lost his man.

Wouldn't get in my side. 

I don't want to be a knob (again) but I've been calling it out since last season, to the agreement of no one - until now, so I'm glad you've pointed it out.

There was one game in particular, sure it was Brentford at home, but when watching him live, his tracking back is a disgrace most of the time. I'm baffled it's all only just coming to light now, I still can't believe he was HOTY, but we all see the game different I s'pose. All good and well looking a bit flashy carrying the ball, but his basic defensive nous is shocking. I'd have KWP over him all day long.

He has cost us time and again, as I said before not always obvious, and he won't go down on the STATS as being directly at fault, but a lot of the time, he could've made sure we didn't concede. One player I will be absolutely chuffed if he goes in the incoming firesale.

I've never rated Wan-Bisaka either. In fact I stated when we signed him that he was an overrated Man Utd reject.

[Eerie Decent]

 

At last, someone else has noticed. I gave up saying it, but imo, so many goals are down to him, a lot of the time not obviously, but he is an appalling defender. He has natural physical attributes, but in terms of defensive intelligence, he was at the back of the queue.

He also is clearly one of those players who doesn't give a real fuck. It is purely a job to him, his face doesn't change when we concede, just strolls off with zero emotion.

The curse of hammer of the year. He was dropped first few games of the season, wasnt he? Seems to have got into a sulk and cant be arsed. Will be first gone out the door if we go down.

I think sadly he's just a bit away with the fairies. Terrible back post defender. Terrible awareness. Good carrier. But that's he's known for going to ground slide tackling is because he's a last ditch desperado. Backs off and back off....KWP a superior football in all ways IMO except for ball carrying. 

Plus, AWB is in my opinion lazy or just so lacking in awareness. Was the same under Lopetegui at the start too. How many goals this year have come from crosses from our left (which Diouf NEVER cuts out to the back post where AWB hasn't bothered to track his man or has lost his man.

Wouldn't get in my side. 

I don't want to be a knob (again) but I've been calling it out since last season, to the agreement of no one - until now, so I'm glad you've pointed it out.

There was one game in particular, sure it was Brentford at home, but when watching him live, his tracking back is a disgrace most of the time. I'm baffled it's all only just coming to light now, I still can't believe he was HOTY, but we all see the game different I s'pose. All good and well looking a bit flashy carrying the ball, but his basic defensive nous is shocking. I'd have KWP over him all day long.

He has cost us time and again, as I said before not always obvious, and he won't go down on the STATS as being directly at fault, but a lot of the time, he could've made sure we didn't concede. One player I will be absolutely chuffed if he goes in the incoming firesale.

[Sydney_Iron]

Didn't watch but from seeing people talk about recent games (not including this), the consensus seems to have been at least we have the defence sorted out now and we are not leaking goals..............

Never really expexcted us to win this but shipping 5 isnt good in anyones book i would imagine.

Still got a mountain to climb, hopefully Brighton and Fulham are on top form this round though, last thing we need is that gap blowing out AGAIN.