**Official Pre-Match Thread - West Ham v City**

[TDAGlobal Superstar]

First topic message reminder :

Okay, let's pick up where we left off..... 0 - 0 for me, with Marshall to start in goal....... 

[Slimfrog's Son™Global Superstar]

Lets not forget however that Swansea started their first ever Premier League campaign with a 4-0 loss to Man City and only had two points from their opening four matches, but went on to finish 11th

[Tyrion TannisterGlobal Superstar]

We're playing long ball. Badly.

[Tyrion TannisterGlobal Superstar]

I know our campaign is only thirty minutes old but this is dire stuff.

Connolly has been truly, truly awful. Hes hoofing the ball at every chance but yet to find a team mate, being beaten everytime his wing is challenged, conceeding free headers in the middle of the box, its a disaster.

Kim has spoiled some of our only chances by either being excessively selfish or putting out an unbelievably weak pass straight to West Ham.

Please, please, please, put Hudson back on. Our back two have been stunningly poor. Most championship teams would run rings around them, no exaggeration.

[Tyrion TannisterGlobal Superstar]

Case in point - Diame nearly scores after leaving Connolly for dust.

[Tyrion TannisterGlobal Superstar]

Fucking hell Connolly. Seriously, put me at right back, I can at least kick a ball.

[Tyrion TannisterGlobal Superstar]

Aaaaannd now my stream dies. Im about a millisecond from punching through my laptop screen and charging Connolly for the damages

[davewebber65National Legend]

rather under the cosh i think. if the second half goes like this then we are in for a hammering

[SteWellsTeam Captain]

Connolly won't play many games at this level based on this performance.

I think a few of our players are a bit nervous. First Premier League game and all that. Will be interesting to see if Malky can talk them into the game during half time. Hopefully we'll come out a bit more relaxed.

[TDAGlobal Superstar]

......a little better towards the end of the half, but the RB position needs to be sorted out.

[Slimfrog's Son™Global Superstar]

Kim has looked alright! Quite classy! Connolly is poor, this years Super Kev in terms of distribution and final ball

[SteWellsTeam Captain]

Oi! Kev would be schooling West Ham if he was out there!

And Kim has looked good, but then messed it up with a poor final ball / shot.

[Tyrion TannisterGlobal Superstar]

Whittingham has actually been very good, he's involved heavily in our (very rare) attacking chances, and he has supported John very well on the left wing.

Campbell has been working hard like he always does, but has had virtually nothing to work with.

Declan John has done well, the left wing is far safer than the right. For an 18 year old making his premiership debut, thats impressive.

Improvements -

Shoot Connolly. Seriously, he needs putting out of his misery.

Explain to Caulker and Turner that it's normally a bad idea to stand and watch the opposition take free headers at goal. They should consider defending, just occasionally.

Keep the ball on the ground. Taking on West Ham in a long ball competition is a risky business all the time, but especially when we're so bad at it. Our team is much, much shorter than West Ham's, so why are we trying to beat 6 foot defenders by lobbing balls to 5 foot attackers?

[puggerFirst Team Regular]

Connolly is worrying me, Super Kev would be better. We are so nervous and it is showing in the hoof ball we are playing. Wet Spam are all over us like a rash.

[TDAGlobal Superstar]

....can't play football without the ball.......end of......

Difficulty in holding onto the little possession that we have got. We really need outlets on the wings. The midfield by design is narrow and the FBs can't get forward......perhaps we need Conway after all.......eh, Red?... 

[Tyrion TannisterGlobal Superstar]

....can't play football without the ball.......end of......

Difficulty in holding onto the little possession that we have got.  We really need outlets on the wings.  The midfield by design is narrow and the FBs can't get forward......perhaps we need Conway after all.......eh, Red?... 

Id rather staple my testicles to the goalpost...

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