**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....... 

[davewebber65National Legend]

that is that then, would have thought we would have had some defenders on the bench. looks like not securing the services of that right back we had on loan was mistake number one

[Tyrion TannisterGlobal Superstar]

Well Malky believes Connolly isn't good enough, hence our pursuit of Jesus Gamez. You have to play the players you have and Kev is a lesser choice

Agreed McNaughton is a lesser choice than Connolly, but not putting any defenders that can play fullback on the bench is (And was here) suicide.

Look at it this way - on the defensive wings you have Connolly, a centreback who only covers fullback, and an 18 year old who has yet to even reach double figures in competitive matches. Why the hell would you not cover your back by putting replacements on the bench - McNaughton and Taylor?

[davewebber65National Legend]

taylor was suspended because he was sent off against hull, but i agree we should have had kev and now sent out on loan joe ralls

[SteWellsTeam Captain]

Taylor was suspended.

[G-sterClub Legend]

Starting XI was just too negative for me.
4 central midfielders = not enough pace out wide.

Noone and even Conway would have offered more.

Disappointing.

Nice easy game v. Man City next.

[Tyrion TannisterGlobal Superstar]

Right, forgot about Taylors suspension. Nonetheless, McNaughton should of still made the bench.

[SteWellsTeam Captain]

Why didn't Brayford play? If Malky didn't think he was better than Connolly then why sign him??

[davewebber65National Legend]

but what is wrong with simon lappin as cover. apparently bellers was short of pace

[davewebber65National Legend]

forgot about brayford. bet he was sick as a pig

[TDAGlobal Superstar]

I agree with everything that has been said about the defence, but I'll sling the following into the melting pot as well....

The midfield unit, Whitts, Kim, Medel & Gunnarsson have the potential to do well. However, they had no outlets other than the out-numbered Campbell and I fail to see what Belllamy contributed today.....

Possession of 52%, but only one shot on target speaks volumes.

Downing at £6m for West Ham looks an absolute bargain and exactly the sort of player that City should have been chasing.........

[davewebber65National Legend]

we have a defender for a manager. he started the same way last season

[Tyrion TannisterGlobal Superstar]

I agree with everything that has been said about the defence, but I'll sling the following into the melting pot as well....

The midfield unit, Whitts, Kim, Medel & Gunnarsson have the potential to do well.  However, they had no outlets other than the out-numbered Campbell and I fail to see what Belllamy contributed today.....

Possession of 52%, but only one shot on target speaks volumes.

Downing at £6m for West Ham looks an absolute bargain and exactly the sort of player that City should have been chasing.........

Its clear that the tactics employed today, good or bad, were designed for Cornelius. Unless the players took things into their own hands, Malky inexplicably decided to not change the tactics despite Campbell being anything but a target man.

Bellamy I completely agree, I actually forgot he was playing he did so little. Whitts I feel did well on the left wing, it could be interesting to see how his season progresses. Our right wing definetely needs more work though, and if Malky indeed has targets in mind for this weakness then that is one thing he has got right.

Medel and Gunnarrson playing as defensive midfielders alongside each other shows a lot of promise. I can see them partnering well, and providing that security on the ball we so desperately require. Lets slow our play down, not be so determined to hoof the ball at the first glimpse of a chance. Let Medel, Gunnarrson and Kim pass the ball around until space develops on our wings, and then we should also show the pace to make sure a hole in the defence is punished.

[TDAGlobal Superstar]

we have a defender for a manager. he started the same way last season

......and I don't think he has the vision or tactical nuance to do it in the Premier League.

I was seriously worried by his tactics last season and think we flattered to deceive in "running away" with a poor division. That season was built on an early run of fairly lucky home results and we were hanging on a bit towards the end of it all.......

[Tyrion TannisterGlobal Superstar]

we have a defender for a manager. he started the same way last season

......and I don't think he has the vision or tactical nuance to do it in the Premier League.

I was seriously worried by his tactics last season and think we flattered to deceive in "running away" with a poor division.  That season was built on an early run of fairly lucky home results and we were hanging on a bit towards the end of it all.......

It's funny, I've read so many season previews that talk at length about how Malky acted as Brendan Rodger's understudy at Watford, and how they can see a lot of Brendan Rodgers in how Malky has set up Cardiff.

Formation wise I agree, we set up on paper very similarly in terms of favouring a lone striker and defensive midfielders. Malky appears to of developed the defensive long ball all on his own though, Rodgers wouldnt want to be associated with that at all.

[CyncoedslumdogNational Legend]

I always thought there was a lot of misplaced optimism about the outcome of today's game and wasn't surprised by the result. However, I agree with a lot of the criticism of team tactics and selection.
Connolly looked poor against Bilbao last week so I can only assume that Malky doesn't rate Brayford at all if he couldn't even get on the bench. As for Gestede, I didn't think he was up to Championship standard and to see him lumbering on today before hopelessly miscuing a shot with Maynard unmarked outside him summed him up for me. Also, Campbell is not my idea of a lone striker and I was amazed to see Kim hauled off after looking one of our livelier players.
Nevertheless, it's still too early to hit the panic button although it took a long time last season for Malky to change his tactics and thinking by introducing Kim and Mutch. It may be forced on him much quicker this time around.

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