Tonight, sees Sky Sports broadcast the re-fixed game of Man City v West Ham with a kick-off time of 7:30pm. The original game was cancelled for supporter safety due to Storm Ciara. I’m not even going to go into my frustrations at the original fixture being cancelled. I think I covered it enough in my last blog!
West Ham go in search of their first victory in their last nine games v City in the Premier League. The last victory being back in September 2015, when they won 2-1 with goals from Moses and Sakho, and De Bruyne scoring for City.
Prior to that victory, our last win at City was the memorable FA Cup QF game back in March 2006, when Dean Ashton rattled in two goals and Musampa (who?) scored for City.
With having to go back so long to find our last two victories at Man City, hopes for tonight aren’t looking too good.
But in saying that, both those victories were covered by the TV cameras! I know! I’m clutching at straws here!
TEAM NEWS
Anderson is back in contention for a start following his back injury ruling him out of the last five games.
New signing Bowen could feature following his January transfer window move from Hull.
Yarmolenko is back in training but still ruled out.
Wilshere – see previous career stats!
PREDICTED LINE UP
My first predicted line up since Arsenal back in December, due to the work and life commitments as per my last blog, and how things can change!
But I can’t fully claim responsibility for this one as the teenage son and I were chatting last night and I’ve nicked his team.
Fabianski obviously will start – Happy Days, my previous blog teams were chosing between Roberto and Martin!
Back four of Fredericks, Diop, Ogbonna and Cresswell. There is a call to say we should go with the five at the back, but I’d be tempted to go at City tonight to start with and see just where the players / management’s heads are at. They are bound to be distracted a bit with all the Financial Fair Play and the ban from Europe. It could be our chance to catch them out.
Midfield two with Rice and Soucek. I liked the look of Soucek against Brighton. He seemed to be covering a lot of ground, something we have been badly needing.
Fornals playing just infront of Rice and Soucek. I like seeing Fornals on the ball, he’s very good with it. I was a big knocker of him at the start but he’s obviously adapted to the Premier League now and looks worth every penny of the £24 million we bought him for.
Attacking wise I’d go with Antonio up front with Bowen and Anderson playing either side of him. I know Moyes has said he wasn’t keen on throwing Bowen in tonight but I think we need to. Anderson should be fresh back from his layoff, maybe he will lack a bit match fitness but get him in and go at the City defence. When he gets tired we can bring on Masuaku or Lanzini depending on how the game is going. Antonio can just do what Antonio does and scare the bejesus out of their defence!
So tonight, I’m / the wee lad are going for the following:
I have no doubt Moyes won’t go for that line up. For a start he will shoehorn Lanzini in somewhere.
He will more than likely go for a back five, bringing in Masuaku. He will have Rice as a holding midfielder with Noble or Snodgrass and Soucek in the middle with Lanzini playing in behind Haller. Watch this space!
My plan tonight is to take the wee lad to his training, then speed back to the house, get the dinner in me and plop myself in front of the TV. I have the beers in the fridge cooling for either celebration or to drown my sorrows.
The likelihood will be drowning sorrows. We have taken just four points from 13 Premier League games at City. Pep has won all his matches against us and has never lost seven games in any of his previous ten top-flight campaigns!
But these kind of records must come to an end! You can get odds of 23/1 on Betfair Exchange for a West Ham win tonight; I’ll be having some of that!
COYI!
Twitter: @IrishIron2
Facebook: Irish Iron
Website: www.irishiron.sport.blog
Previous H2H Blog: https://irishiron.sport.blog/2019/08/12/west-ham-v-man-city-review/
irishiron.sport.blog 