We looked much stronger in the second half with two up front yesterday against Everton so would hope we start with Barnes and Wood at West Ham.

And West Ham's Winston Reid went off injured yesterday with what looks like a serious knee injury and possible concussion.
I think they now have just the one central defender fit and available when they play us so let's capitalise on their misfortune.

It has to be the team that finished, a no brainer.
We couldn't be playing West Ham at a better time, let's hope we don't blow it.

We shouldve beat them there last season. And theyre worse than then and us better!

Just looked and I don't think West Ham now have any natural centre backs fit and available

mkmel wrote:We looked much stronger in the second half with two up front yesterday against Everton so would hope we start with Barnes and Wood at West Ham.

Will West Ham play like Everton? We played with two up top against City because it was clearly the right thing to do. I think we should have reverted at West Ham. Just because it works one way because of the opposition doesn't necessarily mean it will work in the next game against a different team.

I understand what you are saying but when a team has virtually none and maybe completely no centre backs available I think we should exploit that weakness

Impose ourselves first and then go for it. It's a cliche maybe but there are no crap teams in this league.
Antonio, for example, is more than capable of nicking a goal or two against us - given the chance. We control the game in our usual, well-drilled way, give them nothing and then go for the win.

I'm with, CT. Those tactics, yesterday, were specific to Evertons ponderous defence. The balls down the channels worked perfectly to get Keane and Williams away from the middle.
Different opposition, different game plan. Although they did look good second half making it difficult to change

I agree that we should be more cautious as West Ham are likely to be far more potent then Everton and Everton created enough chances to win comfortably in the first half alone.

Start with the team that finished yesterday. It's our best and most balanced team at the moment. We are safe in the premier league so let's give it a real go with our most positive set up.

Barnes looks a better fit behind the striker than Hendrick, so i'd drop him back and push Wood up in place of Hendrick.

We don’t necessarily have to go 442 though to accommodate both Barnes and Wood. Barnes can play behind Wood or we can go two up top. We have to find a way to get both in the team though as Wood scores goals and Barnes has been excellent for most of the season.

I felt a bit for Jeff yesterday as he probably had his best half for us in a long (long) time. However, with no Defour we just need a bit more going forwards as we’re less creative and we get that with both Barnes and Wood playing.

Any team with Antonio, Arnoutovic and Lanzini in, should be treated with immense respect. Next week will be a totally different game, although I'd like to think that there'll be some 'give' in their backline.

Things aren't good at the Olympic Stadium. Freeze the Hamners out, frustrate them and get them on the counter. First goal could be the match winner!

I'd like to think we should be positive and go for it but Dyche is a safety first at all costs type of guy. Just hope that it's Barnes playing in the number 10 role and not Hendrick.

I would start with two up top due to their lack of centrebacks. Also in the first half yesterday defensively, they did not look any tighter playing a lone ranger.

Irrespective of formations it's more about committing men forward, full backs pushing on, central midfielders driving forward etc which appeared to be the main difference. If you are committed to playing on the front foot then with two strikers you are more likely to capitalise.