Europa Play Off Round (WHU v Astra Giurgiu - Away Leg, 18 August* EARLY KO 7.15 UK*)

eskimoking

Like that side, Madcap.

TheMadcapLaughs

It rests all the main players for sunday, and gives some of the better youngsters a chance. If Callieri is fit I would also love to see him get 45 minutes. And if all is going well maybe one or two of the other youngsters can get 10 minutes or so. Hopefully be too strong for Astra. ;scarf

ASLEFshrugged

Astra won the Romanian League, finishing five points clear of Steaua Bucharest but five regular starters have gone (three to Steaua) and top scorer is out injured.

They've lost two of their four league games and we're dumped out of the CL by FC Copenhagen 4-1 on agg.

If anything they look decidedly weaker than last season

WHU_Champo_league_in_7_years

We need 3 points on the board against a team like Bournemouth so at that risk we should rest players

If we do lose we can always go all out with the home leg and field a full strength team

A lot of our players need minutes

Slaven_Cups_His_Beard

grey_til_I_dye said:

The players don't seem worried, but surely the pilot's banking too steeply?

I'm not happy.....

It appears Enner is upfront and on the wing again

;angry

Yeoldhammer

Payet not travelling/involved apparently according to KUMB

Slaven_Cups_His_Beard

Slight knock from the CFC game.

No doubt that "tackle" from Kante.....

Lukerz

Ok. No Masuaku. Didn't know that. Page not here.

Carroll not likely to be risked.

So...

Randolph
Oxford - Collins - Ogbonna
Byram - Obiang - Noble - Antonio
Tore - Calleri - Valencia

Massive game. Starting the season with back to back losses puts big pressure on the lads come Sunday.

Vorselaarhammer

This is the expected team in the mirror

WEST HAM: Randolph, Burke, Reid, Collins, Byram, Obiang, Kouyate, Antonio, Noble, Valencia, Carroll.

Lukerz

Remember folks that KO tonight is 7:15

IronHerb

Cheers Lukerz, didn't spot that. ;ok Have to get to the pub a bit earlier now ;wahoo

Moojor

Is it on BT Sports?

Ravel49

Yes Mooj ;ok

ASLEFshrugged

The only time Slaven went with three at the back was against Arsenal and Tottenham, somehow I don't think Astra pose as much of a threat as either of those.

Had a look at the Astra squad, three of their back four joined in the summer one of which is Romanian RB Cristian Sapunaru who played in the Euros but Astra are playing him at CB.

Lung is Romania's back up keeper, he's been on the bench at every international match for the last two years although they did give him a go between the sticks in two friendlies.

Filipe Teixeira, played for WBA 2007-10, was a regular in the Championship but failed to hold down a place in the Premier

Other than that there's not much of note, as I said before five of their regular starters left in the summer and their top scorer is out injured.

BT Sports 2, I've set the box to record.

SuzanneClaret

;wahoo excellent.

Moojor

Thanks ;ok

MrsGrey

Early KO, good spot Luke, thanks. I'll add it to thread title ;ok

Expat_Hammer

No Reece Oxford in the squad ;hmm

Is he crocked ???

Lukerz

;doh

So it now looks like.

Randolph
Antonio - Reid - Ogbonna - Byram
Noble - Obiang
Tore - Calleri - Valencia
Carroll

Pretty worrying that 3 days into the season that is now our strongest available XI. Not sure that would beat Bournemouth. ;hmm

secrethammersfan

OS is streaming the game, apparently.

grey_til_I_dye

shf

Nothing on the OS or club twitter about it so far.

Would be strange, given that BT have taken the game.

WHU_Champo_league_in_7_years

Well Bilic said he's going to name the strongest team he can

Think it's a bit risky given how easily crooked we are already

Tore just coming back from injury and Payet obviously having no pressure season one of those will start most likely tore

Want Bilic to be forced into starting antonio at RB but with no Masuaka he may still start

I'd go:
Randy
Burke Collins Ogbonna byram
Tore Noble Obiang Antonio
Calleri Valencia

Sub: Adrian, Reid, Oxford, Kouyate, Nordveit, Payet, Carroll

Like luke I'm worried that this is almost the strongest team we can field

Payet hopefully can get 45 mins today and some game time at the weekend

Actually can't wait for the international break, would have a fully fit (hopefully) Payet, Lanzini and Feghouli back in the squad

jay_in_cpt

So twitter is saying Kouyate injured?? And what about Oxford? Is he injured? What's going on

MrsGrey

Expat_Hammer said:

No Reece Oxford in the squad ;hmm

Is this for deffo?

Isn't that him getting off the plane? (about 1m in the video)



And isn't that him in one of the training pics?

Lukerz

Champo - Payet hasn't travelled due to a knock picked up v Chelsea.

ASLEFshrugged

According to unsubstantiated twitter rumours Kouyate is out with a thiigh and Nordveit has a knock. Payet hasn't travelled, no one seems to know about Oxford.

My money's on Antonio at RB, Byram at LB, any two of Reid, Collins or Oggy at CB, Noble and Obiang in the middle, Valencia and Tore out wide, Carroll up front.

Not my personal choice but that's what I'm expecting.

Hang on, that's only ten.........

IronHerb

Even the stewardess was counting the players to see if we had 11. ;biggrin

ASLEFshrugged

Okay well it looks like Oxford in that photo so I'll go with Oxford in the midfield

Slaven_Cups_His_Beard

I think this is a great opportunity for Slav to restore some faith and get Antonio back on the wing

I can see either Burke playing RB and Byram LB or Byram RB and Ogbonna LB before he plays Antonio there at RB.

He said he was putting out a strong team but I'm now wondering due to all the injuries this week if he may play Oxford and Burke and try and keep the others fresh for Sunday

OldCastleSwift

I wouldn't mess around with Burke at right back. Put Byram there, play Ogbonna at left back and have Ginge/Burke alongside Reid.