West Ham Online

Team for me:

Ariola

Wan-Bisaka
Kilman
Todibo
Emmerson

Soler
Alvarez
Rodruiguez

Summerville
Bowen
Kudus

Bench:
Fabianski
Coufal
Cresswell
Mavrapanos
Casey
Orford
Paqueta
Ings
Antonio

I predict a 1-1 draw.

Soucek for Paqueta FFS

Oh I see Mex has done the assists - my bad.

Anyone got some stats on Alvarez’s assists, ball winning interventions and passing accuracy?

True, but it does show Soucek can do the job, while with Alvarez needs to be seen, so a bit more risk.
Agree Soucek is plan B, until we get the midfield working with one DM either Alvarez or Rodriguez. Hope we see Solar at some point today. I'd also like to see what Irving can bring to the table, but looks difficult he gets an opportunity.

Fuck me this feels like a football discussion!

Comparing their attacking output is largely meaningless as Soucek has been deployed as a second striker most of the time, whereas Alvarez was deployed to sit in front of the CBs.

But could Soucek have scored the goal Alvarez did against Everton? Not likely. Bottom line we have enough attacking threat in the team without making Soucek plan A, and any kind of possession game suffers with him in it. Playing to Soucek's strengths is limiting the strengths of the players in the team that play football.

Soucek has value, but should be plan B.

2023-24 Season

Alvarez 2,375 minutes played,

1 goal,

1 assist​​​​​

Soucek 2,867

minutes, 7

goals, 2 assists

2024-25 Season
Alvarez 21 minutez, 0 goals, 0 assists
Soucek 180 minutes, 1 goal, 1 assist
 

Soucek? No sorry.

The inclusion of Soucek at the start is the root and source of our midfield malaise: lack of proper movement and ball control. There are plenty of goals in this squad without Soucek and relying on him for goals is exactly what leaves us so vulnerable at the back. Of course Guido and Alvarez can start. The latter has plenty of goal threat in him as well.

Personally think we'll see Alvarez and Guido. Alvarez has all the skills to play as an 8 rather than just sitting...carries the ball well, good short intricate passing range, physically strong and powerful. 

Soucek is bench bound for the foreseeable IMO...effective player,but in open play between the boxes he's like playing with 10, and that's not good for a team looking to dominate possession.

Fulham are weak in central midfield...playing with two no 10s and a sub par holding midfielder in Lucic. Expect Paqueta, Alvarez and Guido to dominate them.

Fair play, Mex, but I suspect Soucek will be on the bench. Nice not to know what the team will be anyhow, unlike last season with the same side every week.

Soucsk has been good this year. I understood dropping him for City as Rodriguez and Alvarez are a better midfield defensive combination. But against Fulham should be Soucek getting forward into the box, but also giving cover for the defense. As the DM it's Rodriguez or Alvarez, not both. Could be Alvarez. I think I'm right to say that's the team that beat Palace, but dropping Coufal for Bissaka.

I think a lot may depend on if Antonio is deemed 'ready'.

Todibo - if he's as good as you hear then he will become a regular starter in time, but as it stands Dinos deserves to keep his spot imo, it sends out the wrong message if he's dropped for the new boy, apparently he was very good for Greece this week too. So I'd keep him in and let him build his confidence up, we paid circa 25 mil for him, so don't think he should just be cast aside like he's some kind of back up player.

Regardless, it's good to have options now. Soler needs to force his way in too.

Drop Stavros and put in Todibo(spelling)

Bowen up top. Kudus on the right Summerville on the left.

If Paqueta starts his show boating bollox pull him off and put in Soler.


 

Martillo - No Alvarez? Let's be fair, you're not the sharpest tool in the box are you mate.

Martillo - Soucek and Antonio? That will get a few sneers on here. I think that could be the side though.

OK late fitness test for Fullkrug, Areola fit, Cresswell not available.

Areola
​​​​​​Bissaka, Mavropanos, Kilman, Emerson
Rodriguez
Paqueta, Soucek
Bowen, Antonio, Kudus

We will win handsomely

Agree , think when Paqueta is having a mare like normal Soler will come on for him 

Any idea how much professional footballers get paid to represent their country? Guido flew all the way to S. America to sit on the bench for two matches without getting on the pitch. At least he won’t be worn out but all of that travelling is hardly ideal. 

At least Alvarez stayed here (I believe) so should be raring to go.

I did read somewhere that this Soler fella is not the physical type but then again players like Modric weren’t and that’s the sort of player I hope he can emulate?   So probably a tad early to have him starting in the very fast paced and physical Premiership?  A sub for Pawueta if he is stinking the pkace out and hanging onto the ball too long, getting disposessed or hitting too many stray passes that give the ball back so cheaply.

 

                               Areola 
Wan Bissaka      Tobido. Kilman.       Emerson 

                      Alvarez           Paqueta

                                 Kudus.                         

 Bowen             Fullkrug/Antonio         Summerville

If Paq still struggles to get into the game, then we have Soler or Rodriguez as options off the bench. I have a good feeling about this one

J Lo needs Chat GPT…

Hoping to see:

                                 Areola 
Wan Bissaka Mavropanos. Kilman. Emerson 

                               Rodriguez 

             Alvarez.                         Paqueta

 Kudus.                    Bowen.                     Summerville

Subs:

Fabianski, Coufal, Todibo, Soucek, Soler, Antonio, Ings, Guilherme, Cresswell or Orford.

Would rather only see one of Cresswell or Coufal on the bench, with Wan Bissaka able to cover both sides (this Coufal makes the most sense). Hard for the kids to get on unless we're 3 up though, given the strength on the bench.

Apparently Scarles is signing a new 4 year deal with an option for another year. Good news if he's as good as some say he is/will be.

No need to waste time listening to anyone just come on here and read what, of value, a manager needs to say.