Alvarez...switched to 4

[stubbo-admin]

Looks like he might be staying on that basis...same as Aguerd switching number. If he was looking for out....why bother.

[Eerie Decent]

I'm starting to look forward to the season now. Maybe more in hope than anything, but feeling a bit positive for some unknown reason.

Having looked into the keeper a bit more, I think he's going to be excellent for us.
Freddie Potts has really impressed me, his pass and move is really good to watch.
The left back whips in a sensational ball, and looks very composed for a 20 year old.
Paqueta playing with a free mind, expecting a big season from him.
Summerville hopefully staying fit and adding some much needed pace.
Fullkrug & Bowen seem to have a bit of a partnership going.
Also expect another couple of players through the door.

Defence for me is the biggest worry, I'd start Mavropanos over the other 3, which is terrifying.

[southbankbornnbred]

A Napoleonic geriatric in charge.
Alan Partridge managing the team.
A supposed "recruitment expert" who can't recruit players.
Bunch of crocks upfront, including a new striker who doesn't really like West Ham.
A large amount of expensive, slow "squad fodder" who will get starts: Kilman, Rodriguez, JWP etc.
A soul-less athletics track for a stadium.

Can't even hitch a lift from Antonio anymore.
Grim right now.
Keep the faith. You cunts.

 

[southbankbornnbred]

Can't think of a season I looked forward to less than this one.

For me, 2025-26 is all about the fans. It should always be about the fans. But the club is shocking right now. 

[Gank]

That's it then, we're all just accepting that we'll only ever play one formation for the rest of time and can only look for players who we can crowbar into it?

[El Scorchio]

It didn't go well when Lop put him there dropping deep between them as part of the weird formation he was trying, but I suspect a lot of that was due to the overall insanity of the tactics rather than Alvarez as a player.

Who would have thought that leaving one player centrally 5 yards behind everyone else with your full backs pushed so high up that it would be a piece of piss to run in behind them with no danger of being offside and be basically one on one with the keeper with one through ball?

[Jaan Kenbrovin]

To be honest I wouldn’t mind him playing in the back 3. He’d be better than Kilman, and more commanding too.

[El Scorchio]

4 represents the number of minutes it will take him to get his first yellow card. 

As long as no-one has a cheeky bet on it...

[stubbo-admin]

My choice would be to move on JWP Rodriguez and Soucek and add at least 2 midfielders with some pace energy & athleticism plus someone with some creativity like Fernandes of Southampton or El Khannous of Leicester 
If we got all those then Irving would go as well
Obviously we are hoping Potts, Earthy & Orford can develop & give us more options 

 

 

Id like to see Rodriguez move on.

JWP and Soucek Id keep if they were content to be backups. Soucek is a great plan B. JWP is a reliable and trustworthy pro, part of the leadership group, and can be relied on to implement the tactical plan. 

Id like to see Irving get more game time, but if that's not in the pipeline would let him leave so his career can continue to climb as it deserves...especially since I doubt there is space form him and Earthy to get meaningful minutes.

Orford should be sent on loan and have that reviewed at Xmas. He's shown he's a level above in age group football, but needs to be playing 70-90 mins regularly in mens football to toughen up and build his self belief in that environment. A team like Leicester or Southampton would be a good option (or even Portsmouth to replace Potts in their team). 

If we're keeping Alvarez, then I guess there is space for one true number 8 with power. I feel we're putting a lot of faith in Potts too...that could blow up on us if he has a run of bad form, as young players are prone to. But I'd not what to get a clear first choice over him, as it would stall his development and the extra 10% you get from having someone who is actually West Ham in the side. 

[goose]

4 represents the number of minutes it will take him to get his first yellow card. 

[Fauxstralian]

My choice would be to move on JWP Rodriguez and Soucek and add at least 2 midfielders with some pace energy & athleticism plus someone with some creativity like Fernandes of Southampton or El Khannous of Leicester 
If we got all those then Irving would go as well
Obviously we are hoping Potts, Earthy & Orford can develop & give us more options 

[Sir Alf]

 Our transfer business will really fall short if we do not get at least one decent number 8 with legs and speed, power etc.   I think we need 2 in all honesty. Players who can turn and run with the ball but also have the pace to track back if we lose it.  

Alvarez and Potts as options at the base of midfield is decent but we need desperately need to create a squad where JWP, Guido or Soucek as not starters. 

[dealcanvey]

We all know the CM area needs the improvement more than any other department.

Paqueta, Alvarez, Soucek, JWP, Potts, Rodriguez, Irving. 

Thought Alvarez would be the one to go with reports he had a fall out with Potter and wanted to move. 

Guessing Irving and Rodriguez will be the ones to go. Does not give us much in terms of cash to buy someone that is going to kick us on. 

Liked the thought of Ramsey but that looks unlikely. 

[Barty888]

We're quite clearly playing 3-1-4-2...one 6 and two 8s. 

Whether it's Potts or JWP at 8, and Alvarez or JWP at right sided 8 only Potter knows (unless we sign someone). 

Where does Paqueta fit in?

Left or right sided 8 (or in the fwd that drops in role that Füllkrug has been playing). If you've got the stomach for it, the 'Pre Season Tactics Nerd-fest' I posted yesterday breaks it all down in painful detail.

Hermansen

Todibo   Kilman   Aguerd

Potts/JWP

Wan Bissaka  JWP/Alvarez.  Paqueta. Diouf

               Füllkrug
Bowen              

Cheers. I'll check it out when I have time.

If I was Potter I would ask for 3 signings then. CB, CM and striker. I would prefer Charlie Cresswell, Mateus Fernandes and Idrissa Gueye (Magic Diouf's compatriot)

Sell Cornet, Rodriquez and Emerson.

[stubbo-admin]

Supposedly our key progressive ball will be Todibo --> Füllkrug, with him the playing to the 'wrong side' to release who ever the opponent is standing off. 

[stubbo-admin]

----------Hermansen

-----Todibo Kilman Cresswell

Bissaka Alvarez Fernandes Diouf

-----------Paqueta

--------Bowen Fullkrug 


That's Charlie Cresswell btw

We're quite clearly playing 3-1-4-2...one 6 and two 8s. 

Whether it's Potts or JWP at 8, and Alvarez or JWP at right sided 8 only Potter knows (unless we sign someone). 

Where does Paqueta fit in?

Left or right sided 8 (or in the fwd that drops in role that Füllkrug has been playing). If you've got the stomach for it, the 'Pre Season Tactics Nerd-fest' I posted yesterday breaks it all down in painful detail.

Hermansen

Todibo   Kilman   Aguerd

Potts/JWP

Wan Bissaka  JWP/Alvarez.  Paqueta. Diouf

               Füllkrug
Bowen              

[Barty888]

----------Hermansen

-----Todibo Kilman Cresswell

Bissaka Alvarez Fernandes Diouf

-----------Paqueta

--------Bowen Fullkrug 


That's Charlie Cresswell btw

We're quite clearly playing 3-1-4-2...one 6 and two 8s. 

Whether it's Potts or JWP at 8, and Alvarez or JWP at right sided 8 only Potter knows (unless we sign someone). 

Where does Paqueta fit in?

[Massive Attack]

----------Hermansen

-----Todibo Kilman Cresswell

Bissaka Alvarez Fernandes Diouf

-----------Paqueta

--------Bowen Fullkrug 


That's Charlie Cresswell btw

I was thinking more..


.............................Hermansen 

Wan-Bissaka.... Kilman ...Aguerd......Diouf

.......................Soucek ...... Potts

Bowen....................Paqueta.........Summerville

....................................Fullkrug

[stubbo-admin]

(Plus for formations just use text centering instead of - - -...gotta love the new WHO) SWTOCUFC

[stubbo-admin]

----------Hermansen

-----Todibo Kilman Cresswell

Bissaka Alvarez Fernandes Diouf

-----------Paqueta

--------Bowen Fullkrug 


That's Charlie Cresswell btw

We're quite clearly playing 3-1-4-2...one 6 and two 8s. 

Whether it's Potts or JWP at 8, and Alvarez or JWP at right sided 8 only Potter knows (unless we sign someone). 

[Barty888]

----------Hermansen

-----Todibo Kilman Cresswell

Bissaka Alvarez Fernandes Diouf

-----------Paqueta

--------Bowen Fullkrug 


That's Charlie Cresswell btw

[Barty888]

Excellent news, I rate him. If he becomes more disciplined he'll be immense.

Now use the money saved on the striker Wilson to get Mateus Fernandes alongside him.

[Mad Ferret]

Fucking shit player, would sooner Potts got the number 4.

[Pub Bigot]

He was shit last season was I was happy to see the back of him. I know he’s a good player, but he needs to consistently show it and stop with the stupid bookings. 

if he’s our DM we need pace and vision in the centre because he’s a crab. 

[El Scorchio]

Looks like he might be staying on that basis...same as Aguerd switching number. If he was looking for out....why bother.

If we end up keeping both him and Paqueta, that's a big win for Potter when at the end of the season both looked good as gone. Hopefully he sticks around and produces what we've seen he's capable of.