Tuesday, January 31, 2006
Tough Draw for Hammers; Gabri to Join
* West Ham have drawn Bolton away in the FA Cup. It's looking to be a tough side for West Ham's Cup bogey side, particularly after the Wanderers saw off Arsenal in the last round (and in the league, actually).
* Alan Pardew is reportedly on the brink of signing Barcelona fringe player Gabri on a three-year deal. The 26-year-old can play in defence or midfield and is likely to fill the vacant right-back position at the club.
* Dean Ashton is reportedly fit and fighting for a start at Highbury. I reckon there are two things Pardew can do: he could play a 4-5-1 with Ashton up front, Yossi in the hole and Marlon out on the right (Zamora on the bench), or stick with the current formation and leave Deano on the bench.
* Just as an aside, from the match reports I've seen, Danny Gabbidon played superbly against Blackburn. It's fantastic to see him pick himself up from his poor display against Fulham - but he has showed immense mental strength and in my mind is well in the running for Hammer of the Year.
Dave said...What will he do with Teddy also? He has a glut of choice up front now. I'd stick with Zamora for sure - he's earned it and he's confident so why drop him? He might stick Marlon on the right anyway and put bobby and deano up front.
whubris said...Where would you play Yossi in such a system? Would you drop Ethers and put Yossi on the left?
I think Yossi is well worth a start, and although Zamora has been scoring lately he still needs to work on his touch. I reckon the competition will be beneficial to Bobby. He has earned a start as well though so Pardew has a lot to think about!
Personally I don't think Teddy is the player he was last season. In many matches he has been too slow to the ball, which offsets his ability to place nice passes for the others. He's still valuable to the side, but for me he's not a starter.
