Who honestly believes we will stay up this season?

Beating Man Utd? Beating Wolves? Beating two teams despite having 10 men? I’d say an awful lot has changed since the Burnley game, that was a lifetime and a different manager ago.

 

No.
Not unless we get Freddie back and win at BHA.

 

Sarr got injured at such an annoying time.

Of course it’s great to try to have a go at beating the Man Utds/ Spurs/ Liverpools of this world.

But to lose matches against the teams around us is far more dangerous.

If Sarr is back for Brighton, I still think we’ll stay up. If not, we’re in a lot of trouble.

 

I must just be good at early predictions then. Well that one anyway.

 

How long has Sarr been out for now? I thought hamstring injuries usually take about 6 weeks to recover from?

 

We panicked yesterday when we needed to show composure, especially when they went down to 10 men. It was like we were trying too hard. I don’t think we have a strong enough mentality to keep us up. Hope I’m wrong.

 

I was talking about this issue today with a friend who is a long time West Ham fan. We both believe that we don't have players with the commitment, belief and grit to really battle to stay up. Some of it is to do with players that are in each club as a stepping stone to somewhere else. But, some of it is also to do with attitude, mentality, connection to club and fans ... Norwich are just not good enough. Bournemouth, Villa and Brighton have players that are just more determined and prepared to scrap and fight. We do have them - but they need to be on the pitch and not substituted or sitting on the bench. The game at Brighton is going to be a real test of grit, determination and commitment...

 

Yeah, my west ham friends (season ticket holders) are throwing in the towel. It will take a big turn around in form for them to stay up. They have the players - but do they have the desire - and will their manager motivate them? No wins for a while, and very tough run of games.

Not sure about Muff and Villa having players more up for the fight though. Look at Villa's leaky defence (I know it isn't a popular opinion, but there is a team with a worse defence than us). And Muff have only won games against the bottom 6... will be interesting to see how they get on now those games have all gone - if they do do stay up they will deserve it with their tough run in.

 

If the players share this attitude, then yes, I think we will escape.

 

It's very much in the balance. There are enough games we can win, however, we can lose to absolutely anyone, and do tend to go on long bad runs of form. Just can't call it as the squad cannot be relied on. They have too many Everton type collapses or total non-performances to accurately judge it.

 

I'd bring Hughes back in for Chalo - he was playing superbly before his injury. I think Sarr may be missing for a few games yet and it may be too late by the time he's back. We need a couple of decent results to get us back to a 50/50 chance, hopefully including this 27 pointer against BHA.

 

Sarr is huge for us but not worth risking on Saturday if not fully fit. We then have a two week break and then two games that probably won't affect what happens to us this season against United and Liverpool. After those we're in to the final 10 games and it will be vital for Sarr to be a 100% for those

 

I agree with this. Chalobah's doing well, but we're losing. Hughes was in exceptional form before his injury.

On Saturday, I would have preferred Pearson to have taken off Chalobah, but replaced him with Hughes. Play Hughes as a DMF and push Doucoure further forward. This works very well for us. I don't think we'd have got caught out in the last minute if we had played that way, and maybe would have forced a winner.

 

I disagree. I think Sarr needs to be in the matchday squad, even if he's not 100% fit. It will give everyone a big psychological lift and could cast doubt in the Brighton minds when they see we've got quality like Welbeck and Sarr on the bench. So much of football is mental, so even that could play on the minds of some in the Brighton camp to our advantage.

 

I agree, it would be great to have him back in the team but if not 100% and it goes again, that could be it for the season and that will make a difficult task even more difficult. I very much doubt he will be risked

 

No way in hell should he be on the bench if he's not 100% fit. He's absolutely vital to have for the run in. Even if he has to miss the the Utd, Liverpool games as a precaution. He needs to be completely healed otherwise it could be a season finishing injury. That's not worth the risk.
We have a team that's more than capable of beating Brighton. It's going to be a game both teams believe they can win. We just need to overrun their midfield and be completely switched on from dead ball situations. No way possible we can make the same mistakes again.

 

You reckon ??

 

It was a tounge in cheek comment to finish off.

 

I'm sure he's able to sit on a bench without getting injured, so I respectfully disagree with you.

 

Being on the bench doesn't mean he has to play. It's more for kidology to the opposition. To give them something to think about that maybe he'll come on at some point. It could effect their game management or deciding on which substitutions they make etc.

From what I'm hearing, it's not as if he can't walk. He's going to be access nearer the time, so it will be a judgment call whether he starts or not by the looks of it.

 

Just found this:

https://www.premierinjuries.com/injury-table.php

Of course the potential return dates are just guesstimates and don't guarantee anything, but even if we can't play Sarr against Brighton, having Kiko back in time for Man Utd would be a huge boost. Having him on the right instead of Mariappa alone would make that side so much stronger.

 

Just spent £150 at 6/4 on us getting relegated. It will not be life changing, but the financial impact of relegation will help pay for next years season ticket.

 

More than Gino has spent.

 

What’s the point of wasting a space on the bench with a player not 100% fit? I'm glad you're not picking the team.

 

We're not going to have a player on the bench we can't use. I really hope he's fit as we look so much better with him playing but it's one game, albeit a very important one, but i would rather he played the final 10 games

 

Likewise.

 

Well I could guarantee fans that I wouldn't select injured players. Jeopardising not only said player or players but the forward thinking of the team. Unlike you!

 

You’ve already made that point and I disagree with you. Not sure what else there is to say really.

 

I’d rather a 25% fit Sarr on the bench than gray or success 100% fit. Never mind the bench starting xi come to think of it.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

Same as putting Success on there.

If Sarr is 80% fit and we're losing 2-1 with 10 minutes to go, I'd risk him. That's how big the Brighton game is IMO.

 

OK 2-1 down. Sarr comes on and pulls up with a hamstring issue again. To me he's worth more in the final run in than a suspect 10 minutes while losing.