‚ö? Leverkusen v West Ham - Official Match Thread

[charleyfarley]

"Leverkusen V West Ham Bay Arena 11 Apr 20:00 BST Referee:- Artur Dias (POR ) VAR :-Tiago Martins POR Leverkusen:- Kov?°?ô, Stani?°iƒá, Tah ¬©, Tapsoba, Grimaldo, Xhaka, Palacios, Frimpong, Wirtz, Adli, Schick Subs: Hradecky (GK), Lomb (GK), Hincapi?©, Kossounou, Hofmann, Andrich, Borja Iglesias, Arthur, Tella, Boniface, Puerta West Ham:- Fabia?Ñski, Coufal, Zouma ¬©, Mavropanos, Cresswell, Emerson, Ward-Prowse, Souƒçek, Paquet?°, Kudus, Antonio Subs: Anang (GK), Knightbridge (GK), Aguerd, Ogbonna, Johnson, Casey, Earthy, Orford, Cornet, Mubama, Ings Betway:- Leverkusen 4/9 : Draw 7/2 ; West Ham 11/2 TV :- discovery + / TNT Sports 2 ."

[violator]

"Maybe move Kudus to the 10 role, Antonio out to the left and Ings up front, with Bowen on the right if fit."

[62Hammer]

"No surprise the way we played or the way it turned out. Frustrating but inevitable. Silver lining though is that, rather like when we were 2-0 down to Burnley at half-time, we have no alternative other than to come out attacking from the off. Except it's not Burnley, and being without Paqueta, Emerson and maybe Bowen won't help. But an early goal and the crowd behind them, who knows?"

[Lee Trundle]

"Loving the optimism, but they absolutely battered us. Moyes is a VERY lucky manager. It's down to luck that it wasn't 4-0 or 5-0. We have no chance in the second leg."

[Manuel]

"Wils - No, you're right, 3-0 we would be totally dead, 2-0 we have an outside chance, but realistically we are out, unfortunately."

[wils]

"Second leg is not looking good. Obviously could have done with not losing two players to suspensions. And if Bowen is still out too there is little hope. But he could be back along with Alverez. If they come out with the crowd behind them and nick an early goal it could be a game on still. Clutching at straws, I know, but don't write it off completely as I have paid good money for that ticket."

[nychammer]

"I mean who knows they may think the tie is over based on what they saw of us, so we may be able to catch them off guard with a fast start and a sucker punch. I think we have to start the next leg like we have some intention to win it whatever happens."

[RM10]

"If the fans can make an intimidating atmosphere and players give their all then we have half a chance, don’t want our Europe trips to end with a wimper."

[Manuel]

"Having calmed down a little I'm feeling frustrated that we conceded the second, this lot aren't as good as Moyes says they are and at one down we were still in it, and what with Liverpool going out most likely this is feeling like Frankfurt all over again with a big chance spurned. Infuriating."

[Gary Strodders shank]

The only chance we have in the second leg is if they have won the league this weekend and have been on the piss since. I can't see them not scoring and cant see us scoring three against them. It would take a truly exceptional performance to turn that first leg result over and with key players missing I cant see it happening. Moyes might as well stick Kalvin Phillips in and see if he can prove he is a footballer after all.

[Gary Strodders shank]

The only chance we have in the second leg is if they have won the league this weekend and have been on the piss since. I can't see them not scoring and cant see us scoring three against them. It would take a truly exceptional performance to turn that first leg result over and with key players missing I cant see it happening. Moyes might as well stick Kalvin Phillips in and see if he can prove he is a footballer after all.

[nychammer]

"Moyes clearly trying to big them up as a better side that we have no business trying to beat is how I read his attitude. Trying not to lose too badly is no way to approach the game even if that is the realistic outcome IMO. Look at Rob Edwards at Luton, they were written off before the season began but he has them going into every game believing they can win and they have every chance of pulling off retaining their PL status."

[simon.s]

"At Paqueta's age, he should know better. The stupid bookings is something you'd expect from a raw young kid."

[RootsRadical]

"Paqueta great player that he is is a moron. I knew they would target him and he would get booked within 30 mins of kick off. He's one yellow away from missing the 2nd leg and after 20 mins and the first challenge on him he goes steaming in kicking out, fucking idiot. Emerson's was barely a foul let alone a booking, very harsh to booked for that and his first foul, the ref must have known it meant a suspension but didn't hesitate, corrupt cսnt!"

[dealcanvey]

We all knew it would be backs to the wall last night but Moyes did not even try and do anything else. We gave them way too much respect. They were a good side but you can see how Qarabag nearly knocked them out! Defending like that for 90 mins is impossible. We needed some spells where we tried to cause them trouble but I saw no intention in our play that showed any sign at all. I thought Fabianski had a great game with some top saves. that deficit will leave us with too much to do in the home leg.

[ludo21]

I did say before the game that even a 2-0 wouldn't be the end of the world. Losing Paqueta and Emerson as well though I fear it probably is. What I HATE about Moyes is that he sets his team up like that and they pretty much executed his plan to the letter yet he comes out and blames the players and says that they need to play better! The man is deluded.

[RootsRadical]

".....get a couple out we are down to likes of Cresswell and Johnson and have nothing in the bench to change a game or even replace we hat we have on the pitch, that's on Moyes too. Thanks for the memories."

[RootsRadical]

Moyes fucked up with his usual inability to manage the game as it entered the critical stage and react to their changes. Our bench is so thin and lacking quality too. As soon as we get a cou

[Massive Attack]

"Iron Duke Yes. That’s the keeper’s job to stand in the way of shots that are straight at him. Straight at him?? You're on a wind-up. Lost count the amount of times he had to save at full stretch either down low or spectuarly save shots instinctively almost going over his head. He had an absolute worldie performance in goal and after 33 shots at goal, it's a miracle the scoreline stayed at just 2-0. In a broader sense, I actually feel so sorry for our players, especially those flogged to death when he rarely subs and only till very late, having to defend so bravely and admirably for 90+ mins game in, game out. It's the most demanding and knackering way of playing the game chasing the ball around like a turbo nutter. Trying to keep hold of the ball isn't just about trying to play some football, it's actually to give ourselves a much needed breather too. Not only do our fans deserve a lot better but so does every single one of our players too. No surprise really the likes of Paqueta get booked in frustration having to play this way for so long in games."

[Takashi Miike]

"""put Johnson on the left wing"" that should be put on his headstone, as it perfectly encapsulates his footballing philosophy"

[lowlife]

"He has no reason to set up so defensively next week. I’m fully expecting him to ‘keep it tight’ for the first hour and then maybe see if we can get a goal from a set piece. The only charges he’ll make will be to bring Alvarez back in and probably do something like put Johnson on the left wing, unless Bowen is fit (and I hope he doesn’t get risked and then is wiped out for the season)."

[Italian hammer]

"I think that Moyes and the players went into the match with the only goal to avoid being defeated heavily and they thought too soon to have managed it. It's the main problem of Moyes, who I still recognize is the best manager we've had in ages, he lacks in the ability of changing plans, he accepted the idea of a defeat 1-0, he would have signed before the match for that I believe, and settled also the players for that. Also when we play without Bowen we lack in attack and in a game like the one prepared it was a big miss. We can still make it though"

[Massive Attack]

"Errie descent ""That's how we approach and 'play' most games of football. The only surprise is anyone is surprised. Utterly utterly weak, feeble, pathetic. Best thing to do is blame the players, like some have done. Having a go at Brazil's best central midfielder for 'over-playing'. West Ham fans digging out players with World Class footballing ability for OVER-PLAYING because the team has been instructed not to play football. Hahaha! That's what this cսnt has done to this football club."" With bells on!"

[David L]

Imagine how different we would have approached that game with a manager like 2006 Pardew in charge. He would have them believing they could beat anyone

[Massive Attack]

"Not passing, is what we do... 743 Passes 279 Such an Anti-Football cսnt. ""But we don't understand why so many West Ham fans want him out?!"" Is the typical cry from the Media/his supporters....."

[Full Claret Jacket]

The biggest problem with this manager is his lack of positivity and belief his instills in players. He basically goes into games trying not to lose and bigs up the opposition in his press conferences. He doesnt actually instill belief and confidence in our team that we are actually decent. He conceded this match. We know we cant defend for 95 mins. We have a whole season of evidence so why would this be any different against a decent and supremely confident side. The bloke has no idea on the psychology involved to get the best out of the team and turn them into winners. Instead he uses the same failed tactics. When you ask the players what changes when they turn from good teams to great teams it's always belief. Belief they will win and belief in each other. We need to find a manager with that positive energy to see the best from our players.