West Ham vs Aston Villa | PL | 14.12.25 | Predictions and Match Thread

[stubbo-admin]

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Match Centre: 

Live data by Scoreaxis

 Odds: 
WHU: 13/5
Draw: 12/5
Villa: EVS

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Running a bit late on this one, but I'll keep it brief.  I've a sneaky feeling we beat Villa.  Not overly impressed by them man for man, they've had an away trip in Europe, and it's a lot of travelling.  Plus with the Bonds memorial pagentry, the whole ground should be up for giving someone a kicking.

Predicted Team
Reckon Nuno reverts to a 4 for this game.  

Areola
Wan Bissaka   Mavropanos   Todibo    Diouf

Magassa Potts

Bowen   Paqueta  Fernandes

Wilson

Subs: Hermansen, Kilman, KWP, Igor, Rodriguez, Irving, Summerville, Fullkrug, Earthy

Not sure what's happened to Luis after a nice cameo vs Liverpool   

Predicted Result: Home Win.  West Ham 3 - 1 Aston Villa (Wilson, Bowen, Fernandes)


COYFI!

[Beef&Tomato]

Ferret son I'd be more worried about Spurs getting tonked at Forrest.   

[Jean-Luc Paul Goddard]

To me AWB is a bit like Trent (once of Liverpool) although not as good in his distribution, quite decent going forward but absolutely useless as a defender, just watch how many times he’s out of position, and to my eyes not busting a gut to get back.

I'm not even sure that he's that decent going forward, at least not in a counter attacking side. If that's the way you play then you really want someone who can rapidly carry the ball up field and quickly pass or cross to an attacker, while most of the opposition are still in your own half. AWB doesn't do that. He keeps possession well but it's a fairly slow progression forward so we've lost any kind of benefit from playing this low block system. He was much better suited to the previous manager.

[twoleftfeet]

A few posts about AWB and who should come along and blame Potts? Yes you guessed it that sad cսnt from North London Ferret/thundercunt/ladyboy or whatever his latest reincarnation is.

Bondi Beach massacre? Freddie Potts
Ukrainian war? Freddie Potts
State of the UK economy? Freddie Potts
Ferret living with his mum and never kissed a girl? Freddie Potts

[Sweep]

Think Wan-Bissaka was maybe anticipating us breaking forward and was wrong side of Rogers when the ball was turned over, He's chasing back to catch up and get goal-side all the way until Rogers controls the ball to turn and finish.

Paqueta giving up the ball in that position leaves Diouf stranded ahead of him and AWB wrong side too.

 

[Gaffer58]

To me AWB is a bit like Trent (once of Liverpool) although not as good in his distribution, quite decent going forward but absolutely useless as a defender, just watch how many times he’s out of position, and to my eyes not busting a gut to get back.

[Sir Alf]

Agree on AWB yesterday. KWP is better with his defensive positioning although aerially is his weakness but early on thisxseason KWP was decent at RB.  AWB over relies on his recovery abilities via his acclaimed “telescopic legs” abd last ditch tackles which usually compensate for positional and man marking ( getting close )indiscipline.  Yesterday Rodgers took advantage of the space. Costly when you consider Rodgers us arguably the best midfielder in the PL and even Europe on current form.  

[Mad Ferret]

I thought AWB was fucking diabolical yesterday. I'm still trying to get my head round what he was doing for their 2nd goal? He's running along with Rogers, the ball gets crossed in, and rather than try to get the ball in front of his man, he carries on running towards our goal. Absolutely brainless.

Freddid Potts also didn't cover himself in glory with his effort to stop the cross, although Paqueta started the whole thing off, his lack of who was around him was shocking. That was the killer goal, and there were 3 mistakes to gift them it.

Not at all disappointed to see AWB go to the AFCON. Got a feeling he'll struggle to regain his place when he comes back.

Potts and Paq are both liabilities in the middle of the park, for me.

[Eerie Decent]

I thought AWB was fucking diabolical yesterday. I'm still trying to get my head round what he was doing for their 2nd goal? He's running along with Rogers, the ball gets crossed in, and rather than try to get the ball in front of his man, he carries on running towards our goal. Absolutely brainless.

Freddid Potts also didn't cover himself in glory with his effort to stop the cross, although Paqueta started the whole thing off, his lack of who was around him was shocking. That was the killer goal, and there were 3 mistakes to gift them it.

[Sir Alf]

Nuno is improving us without doubt imo and the first manager weve had that finally recognised the need for pace, youth and physicality ( edp. Midfield). The previous 4 managers didnt. We have recently lost against the best team in Europe based on form. We lost against Pool again at home ( 10 men last 20 mins ) and Arsenal away since the above changes were made. 

As ever, us fans saw the aforementioned need for youth/pace etc a long while ago, going back to the Moyes era, and yes Nuno wasted 2 games and points ( Brentford and Leeds) working it out despite it being bleedin obvious to a one eyed man with a glass eye. 

But the problem with set pieces he fixed early on, and while he would never have been my personal pick for manager in better times ( not a relegation struggle), he is about the best we could have chosen ( Dyche the exception maybe although he was no ones choice) because Sullivan would only hire out of work managers.  

Fans can blame Nuno for mistakes ( timing of subs mostly ) but its not the root problem. Just look at that squad and the options he has?  And look at yesterday, we got worse with the late subs. Some fans now blaming the defeat on not putting 34 year old Wilson on 15 mins earlier is a hindsight observation imo.  

Thats too simplistic, one dimensional thinking imo and as mentioned its futile saying its mostly Nuno that is the problem and implying another manager will be the answer. The previous 4 werent. And, to repeat,  Sullivan will only hire out of work managers anyway and expecting them to be the difference is imho simply “grass is greener” thinking.  

The transfer window is now what matters and for once emplyimg longer term thinking with younger players being recruited where possible to keep in mind that we could be a championship side next season. That said the run of 5-6 games after City is the “pivotal period”. Failure to pick up 2 or 3 wins probably means we’re down. And tbh unless Nuno brings in the “Tortoise Collective” to start games again, he’s probably again the best bet for getting us back up again and rebuilding the squad with youth via Jorge Mendes.

Finally, and in the spirit of open mindness, those who want Nuno gone and believe that will make the difference between success and failure, who is it we bring in asap to see us turn this season around? 

[greenie1]

Never watched the match, so not sure I am really in a position to comment.
... Anyway, I'll have a moan.

I can see from reading this thread that we played well. However, we lost! You can play like the Brazil team of the 70's, but no points is no points.
Previous matches, we should have really won and I am feeling that this season could be a repeat of when we went down with the likes of Cole, Carrick and Johnson in the team. On paper, back then, we should not have been relegated. I do hope I am wrong.

[El Scorchio]

I was about to write about the apparent 'improvement' that you all seem to be convinced is happening. It isn't but this article sums it up perfectly. When you get to the end ask yourself are we actually capable of winning 9 games.

West Ham are sleepwalking towards an entirely avoidable relegation

Put it this way- before yesterday we were on course over a full season to win 40 points under Nuno, taking his first 10 matches. Under Potter we were on course for likely less than 20 from his matches.
We are improving, there is no doubt whatsoever, but is it enough? Quite possibly not, given what else is going on around the division. 

[claypole]

To add actually I thought (as ever) the ref was quite weak. We did not get a lot from some robust challenges from their midfield and Tielemans in particular, and he fell for them constantly going to ground under the lightest of challenges. 

We are too honest as a team (on the whole, Paqueta aside) and I hate to say it because I hate it, but I think we need to play that game a little more, particularly in our situation. Throwing yourself to the floor holding your head in your own box or anywhere on the field where there's danger works a treat consistently for other teams.

I make you righr about this. If Mavro goes down clutching his head last week and Soucek goes down in the box after a clumsy challenge (cant remember who we were playing- maybe utd) our points tally could be different 

[boleyn8420]

I was about to write about the apparent 'improvement' that you all seem to be convinced is happening. It isn't but this article sums it up perfectly. When you get to the end ask yourself are we actually capable of winning 9 games.

West Ham are sleepwalking towards an entirely avoidable relegation

[El Scorchio]

To add actually I thought (as ever) the ref was quite weak. We did not get a lot from some robust challenges from their midfield and Tielemans in particular, and he fell for them constantly going to ground under the lightest of challenges. 

We are too honest as a team (on the whole, Paqueta aside) and I hate to say it because I hate it, but I think we need to play that game a little more, particularly in our situation. Throwing yourself to the floor holding your head in your own box or anywhere on the field where there's danger works a treat consistently for other teams.

[Rossal]

---

Thought we played well, didnt deserve to lose. They are arguably the best team in the league the previous 10 games so to come away gutted about losing I guess shows we played well. 

I am gutted though as the game was there to be won and yet again Nuno hasn't won it. Again I am massivly questioning his bench and his in game subs. 

4 defenders and 3 centre mids, again its fucking baffling. The way we play, the attackers are going to be the ones who are fucked on 60-70 mins so stick some fucking attackers on the bench to replace them or to try get a goal as we will likely be needing one the way this season has gone. Watching Soucek and Rodriguez the last 7-8 mins try and create something was painful. 

I also thought he should of put Wilson on on 60 mins. Paqueta was shite, and he stopped battling up there second half. It needed Wilson to come on and to try nick a winner. Bowen was doing well down the right, the midfield 3 were great again......there was just no striker to play off or into. As usual we wait until we go behind to react, too late by then. 

Two other points to raise, the first being that the first goal came from pressing them high, getting in their faces in their half.....nick the ball and goal.  We then seem to by default just run back to the edge of our own box.....why don't we keep doing what you just did to score a goal ffs. When we did press them in their half the midfield 3 were getting stuck in and winning it for us.....why do we not continue to do the things that prove succesful in a game? Its beyond infuriating. 

Finally, I thought our worse spell in the game was when we went 3-2 down. NEver ever looked like equalising, they just look liked theyll add a fourth. There was no grit or bollocks shown to try and get that deserved point. Was worrying to watch in terms of mentality. 

After the City game is for me whether we stay up or not. 4-5 game run where we need 8-10 points minimum. Have to beat Forest. Without the full backs is going to be very tough for us.  

[Sir Alf]

Agree Scorch and I see why he didnt start Wilson. Villa have arguably the strongest or certainly close to the strongest midfield 4 in the division so he tried to match them up.  In the end the game turned imo on giving up a lead so so early in the 2nd half literally after kick off.  We needed to hold that lead as Villa would have needed to take risks. Paquetas arrogance and weakness mentally and physically in that moment was so costly.  Imho as always

[El Scorchio]

Tough one this. We played well against THE form team in Europe, I guess and I think were very unlucky not to come away with a point. The winning goal looked like a worldie from the other end of the stadium and was an absolute sickener. We are not getting the breaks at the moment where Leeds are- but actually despite that we are not shipping a lot of points to them. Surely the luck will change sooner or later and we just need to be taking advantage when it does. 

I do think we can take heart from that performance yesterday- we really battled and it felt like a proper football match which it doesn't always these days. Criticism being sitting back too much after scoring and giving them too much space in some areas of the pitch, (all our good moments and goals game from pressing high up and their goals came from being too passive) but they are a fucking good side as results clearly prove. IF we show up like that every week we will pick up a good amount of points and be fine. Two wins gets us right back in the mix, but for the moment we are absolutely hanging on.

I've already said this too many times, Sullivan NEEDS to have deals in place to go through in the first days of January. At least three players who will make a significant difference until the end of the season and one of which being that striker we so glaringly need. DO that and we have a good fighting chance. If he does his usual meddling and dawdling until the end of Jan and goes with half measures, particularly in attacking places, then we're fucked and it's 100% squarely on his shoulders alone.

[twoleftfeet]

Trudging back to Pudding Mill Lane station wasn't much fun yesterday past hoards of gloating brummies taking the piss on our home turf. Wasn't really an issue yesterday but that amount of mingling straight after matches could get very lively with different opposition. 

I’m looking forward to the day that away supporters sing something other than “ you sold your soul for this shit hole “. I mean we know that and we probably join in with you but think up something more original although “ going down with the dingles “ was mildly amusing.

[Massive Attack]

Trudging back to Pudding Mill Lane station wasn't much fun yesterday past hoards of gloating brummies taking the piss on our home turf. Wasn't really an issue yesterday but that amount of mingling straight after matches could get very lively with different opposition. 

You should have gone east, Aldgate.

[aldgate]

Trudging back to Pudding Mill Lane station wasn't much fun yesterday past hoards of gloating brummies taking the piss on our home turf. Wasn't really an issue yesterday but that amount of mingling straight after matches could get very lively with different opposition. 

[BoleynGone]

Massive
Exactly,of course I've been screaming out for both Marshall and Earthy on the bench but Nuno chooses a bench with only one attacking option and he's 33.
Nuno does this every game

Kante IS a defensive player but in the system the U21's use he can quickly turn offensively,he surges forward and scores as he arrives late. he's raw and makes mistakes but can change a game in an instant.

Earthy must feel that under Nuno he's not worth a place,feel for the lad. 

Nuno clearly is so arrogant that he doesn't need to watch the U21's himself. When he clearly needs to as the players he uses aren't good enough and other options are required.

The U21's are a team who have a big desire to win and play football. 
Nuno's team look half of what they are and he feels to not play in a similar way. Keeps losing and playing crap players who offer nothing.

Leeds play Palace on Saturday evening after Palace play on the Thursday. 
We'll be 6 points behind the teams above us come Saturday night.

Nuno has us relegated

[BoleynGone]

Sweep.
Are you for reel ?
Under Nuno people think we are playing well,crap. We are still conceding goals and not scoring enough.
A couple of players have improved whilst his my main man gets worse.
He has a striker that scores twice then is negated due to Nuno's tactics.
He drops his 2 energy filled midfielders to go to a back 5 and bring a non used player in for his first appearance in 3 months. Result another bore draw where we let the home team have 5 shots on target after 90 minutes.
Still our most creative midfielder is left out of the match day squad entirely.
Game after game we see the weak bench bring nothing to the game. Nuno is worst than any manager we have had in his proactive tactics and selections. No alrenative to a right back/left back during AFCON.
I can bet that he doesn't realise that Senegal are heading for a semi-final thus the end of Jan before Diouf returns,AWB won't be back before mid Jan at the earliest.

All the teams above us have been gaining points and will be so far away from us only 7 wins on the bounce will get us back.
Nuno's negative tactics in his first 4 games have hit him hardest. Most  saw that but took it on the chin giving him leverage,nah not me and a few. 
I can't see a way out. Nuno now will certainly give up on the Cup.
City next week,great and some think he's doing a good job.

[Monsieur merde de cheval]

Don't think Kante is considered a defensive midfielder. More box-to-box....has scored quite a few goals for the youth from driving runs. 

Correct stubbo ..I've no idea where the defensive midfielder comes from?
His game is more than that.
He has promise for sure , but has a lot of work to do to make himself a part of the first team squad regularly.
If we drop, I can see him blossoming like WINSTON  REID

[Sydney_Iron]

Not too bothered about West Ham these days, we have always been a bit of a yoyo club, so another relegation to add to the others, its just that time in the cycle of things.

Not the same club either, its just a name or shell of what is was to support West Ham, an adopted stadium thats maybe the worst for watching football in the PL, a bunch of on the whole mercenary type players, gone for a big part is a team with a good portion from the local area or English at least!!

Chopping and changing managers every year, how many since Harry left? And he was our 7th in our entire history, double figures since then if you don't include the 7 from nearly a century!

Will still check the results and can't support any other but the passion and fire in my belly has well and truly gone, don't even bother with watching highlights these days and prefer watching games we are not involved in, more enjoyable TBH.



 

[Mickey Rat]

Spot on Faux