[Gandalf Greyhame]

I think Mourinho will be pissed off with Martial's camp for encouraging Inter/Spurs to make bids. It showed in the Super Cup, it'll show in lineup today. Rashford to start, Lingard as a sub. Martial won't even get an appearance.

I hope I'm proved wrong, but if this happens, we should be concerned.

 

[The Stain]

Match day bitches!

 

[Pavl3n]

Don't be despaired for his comment, just looking at his name should bring that hope back immediately.

Didn't even notice it.

 

[pcaming]

Why do people care so much about Martial so much? He hasn't even done anything to deserve a starting spot yet...

 

[Summit]

Why do people care so much about Martial so much? He hasn't even done anything to deserve a starting spot yet...

I'd say he has. In preseason I thought he was better than Lingard, yet he starts.

 

[SSSSnake]

Why do people care so much about Martial so much? He hasn't even done anything to deserve a starting spot yet...

Yep this annoys me too. Every time he skins a player we all sit back and have a wank fest. He just isn't good enough and nowhere near consistent. Rashford out performs him in every departments and he cost us nothing.

 

[flappyjay]

Why do people care so much about Martial so much? He hasn't even done anything to deserve a starting spot yet...

True but you can't ignore the fact that he was more effective than Lingard and Rashford combined in the league last season whilst playing a similar amount of minutes . That alone should be enough for him to be ahead of them two in the packing order

 

[pcaming]

I'd say he has. In preseason I thought he was better than Lingard, yet he starts.

That was preseason though, Batshuayi looked great in preseason and was non-existent yesterday. Not saying the lad isn't talented, he quite certainly is, but it's no great travesty he's not starting. I'd much rather see Rash start. Lingard we can agree should be far away from the pitch as possible.

 

[WoodysWallet]

Cannot wait for this today!!!
I'm not particularly bothered who starts, as I believe the squad is looking very strong.

Just want us to go out and smash The Hammers, and give Little Pea a debut to forget unfortunately.

It'll be nice to see the reception he'll receive. He was a brilliant player for us, and I'm sure the OT faithful will let him know how much he was appreciated.

3-0 win please. Lukaku, Pogba and Matic with the goals

 

[villain]

I'd say he has. In preseason I thought he was better than Lingard, yet he starts.

Better than Lingard based on what? One silky assist?

Lingard had a better pre-season than Martial.
That's not to say that I want Lingard to start today, but Martial had an average pre-season overall.

 

[No Idea For Nickname]

Match day bitches!

Who are you calling bitches?
Yeeey, match day bitcheees, finaly.
Do we have a sleeve sponsor?
I really want us to have best looking sleeve sponsor in the league.

Anyway, 4-1. Lukaku x2, Rashford and Mhki, Chica gets one at the end, and gets RVP kind of aplause.

 

[TrustInJanuzaj]

Why do people care so much about Martial so much? He hasn't even done anything to deserve a starting spot yet...

Because quite simply we cannot with the league without an inform martial stepping up and getting 15 goals which he absolutely is capable of if mourinho uses him correctly. One of the most talented young players in the world and it's a travesty that our own fans can't see that.

 

[CG1010]

Why do people care so much about Martial so much? He hasn't even done anything to deserve a starting spot yet...

This place has become MartialCafe . True he is probably our 2nd or 3rd most talented player but the amount of discussion on it would make someone who doesn't watch our games feel that we continuously win 4-0s and 5-0s with him but drop points without him. Its insane!

 

[Pexbo]

Because quite simply we cannot with the league without an inform martial stepping up and getting 15 goals which he absolutely is capable of if mourinho uses him correctly. One of the most talented young players in the world and it's a travesty that our own fans can't see that.

I think you're missing a big point here. "Using him correctly" essentially means shaping the team around him and in that scenario Martial's 15 goals aren't going to win us the league.

It's down to Martial to find a way to perform within the teams tactics. That means taking advantage of any attacking opportunity he gets without shirking the defensive work.

He improved a lot in that regard in the second half of the season and that's a great sign that he is maturing. I'm positive about him this season and I think Mourinho will be too.

 

[Catt]

You just know Chicharito is certain to score. But we should still win.

 

[M Bison]

West Ham will be a good side this year. Got their business done early and seem to be clear in their direction so won't be an easy game.

I still think we'll win and a lot of the comments about our squad being no further forward than it was last year, will disappear. I expect to see a lot more from the likes of Martial, Pogba and Miki, and I expect Lukaku will give us a different dimension and provide more space for these to play in.

Ultimately I'd be delighted with a scrappy 1-0 win.

 

[MrSingh2002]

Martial has been probably the standout in preseason so if he's not starting today and wasn't rested against Real I'd be pissed along with everyone else can see the guy is trying hard to make it here.

 

[The Hacker]

We need a stronger LB this season. Darmian just fills me with anxiety. He's a liability in defence.

 

[Ash_G]

I'm not confident it will happen but I hope Mou does try to be a bit more adventurous. I don't expect us to go very attacking but with Matic holding and Darmian who will likely play lb being quite a defensive fullback, I think we can afford to give the wide attackers a bit more leeway to push forward.

 

[ManuMou]

West Ham will be a good side this year. Got their business done early and seem to be clear in their direction so won't be an easy game.

I still think we'll win and a lot of the comments about our squad being no further forward than it was last year, will disappear. I expect to see a lot more from the likes of Martial, Pogba and Miki, and I expect Lukaku will give us a different dimension and provide more space for these to play in.

Ultimately I'd be delighted with a scrappy 1-0 win.

I have the same expectation. Finger crossed !

Those who simply says "Lukaku only replaces Zlatan", "Matic only replaces Carrick" just don't understand that football is a team game. They fail to see the big picture and put everything into context. Not gonna go into details here

So one of the key things to watch this game is how the dynamics change. How much space given to them and how they perform etc......

 

[Vaibhav Raj]

True but you can't ignore the fact that he was more effective than Lingard and Rashford combined in the league last season whilst playing a similar amount of minutes . That alone should be enough for him to be ahead of them two in the packing order

Classical case of selective memory. More effective than Rashford? The guy who was the sole reason we made it to the EL final? Did you miss his goals and assists at the later stages of the tournament?

 

[JustinC00]

Those who simply says "Lukaku only replaces Zlatan", "Matic only replaces Carrick" just don't understand that football is a team game. They fail to see the big picture and put everything into context. Not gonna go into details here

Especially the Matic/Carrick one.

 

[M Bison]

I have the same expectation. Finger crossed !

Those who simply says "Lukaku only replaces Zlatan", "Matic only replaces Carrick" just don't understand that football is a team game. They fail to see the big picture and put everything into context. Not gonna go into details here

So one of the key things to watch this game is how the dynamics change. How much space given to them and how they perform etc......

Exactly! Players aren't like-for-like!

 

[Ventura]

I want us to start with Martial/Micki because they are our only potentially good left/right attack options. Our only chance this season (unless we buy someone) is to give them the chance to play into form because the alternatives are guaranteed to deliver mediocrity. Other than that the team mostly picks itself.

 

[Random Task]

Atkinson in charge at least gives West Ham half a chance, but I can still see us winning comfortably.

2-0 - Lukaka & Miki the scorers.

 

[ManuMou]

For LW, I think Martial will start over Rashford.

Although I think Jose prefers Rashford at this point in time, all else being equal, the "potential" of Martial has to be taken into account. Yes every single point is important, but it's only the 1st game, it's appropriate to take some risk. (Super Cup was a one-off, hence Jose went with his preference, Rashford)

-----------------DDG---------------------
Valencia---Bailly---Smalling---Darmian
-----------------Matic---------------------
---------Herrera-----Pogba---------------
Mkhi--------------------------------Martial
----------------Lukaku--------------------

 

[Andersons Dietician]

Better than Lingard based on what? One silky assist?

Lingard had a better pre-season than Martial.
That's not to say that I want Lingard to start today, but Martial had an average pre-season overall.

Huh?

 

[Pavl3n]

Anybody with access to the embargoed press conference from Mourinho?

 

[Random Task]

For LW, I think Martial will start over Rashford.

Although I think Jose prefers Rashford at this point in time, all else being equal, the "potential" of Martial has to be taken into account. Yes every single point is important, but it's only the 1st game, it's appropriate to take some risk. (Super Cup was a one-off, hence Jose went with Rashford)

-----------------DDG---------------------
Valencia---Bailly---Smalling---Darmian
-----------------Matic---------------------
---------Herrera-----Pogba---------------
Mkhi--------------------------------Martial
----------------Lukaku--------------------

That's the team I went for.

Got a feeling Miki is going to step it up this season, starting today. His contribution in terms of creativity, along with Martial, will prove decisive come the seasons end.

 

[Norris]

Going for a comfortable 4-1 win. Lukaku with a brace, Mkhi and Rashford to add to the tally.

DDG
Valencia - Bailly - Smalling - Blind
Matic
Herrera - Pogba
Mkhi - Lukaku - Rashford
​

Football season is back...

 

[stu_1992]

Can't wait to finish work work and get straight home to watch this. Hyped to say the least.

 

[The Black Pearl]

If anybody want any streams link me, I got the good stuff.

Well if you're not already part of the group in relation to all this stuff can you ask a mod or something to add you?

You might come handy this season.

Maybe @Damien

 

[The United Irishman]

True but you can't ignore the fact that he was more effective than Lingard and Rashford combined in the league last season whilst playing a similar amount of minutes . That alone should be enough for him to be ahead of them two in the packing order

No he wasn't. He kept losing the ball running into defenders and misplacing passes...It's easy to see why he isn't first choice under Mourinho.

 

[Damien]

Well if you're not already part of the group in relation to all this stuff can you ask a mod or something to add you?

You might come handy this season.

Maybe @Damien

Done. Thanks.

 

[VivaObertan]

Can't find the envelope with my season ticket in it, LOL. Wish me luck otherwise VivaObertan's mum is going alone!

 

[Catt]

Atkinson in charge at least gives West Ham half a chance, but I can still see us winning comfortably.

2-0 - Lukaka & Miki the scorers.

Isn't Atkinson a bit of a homebody?

 

[MadMike]

Better than Lingard based on what? One silky assist?

Lingard had a better pre-season than Martial.
That's not to say that I want Lingard to start today, but Martial had an average pre-season overall.

Martial had 3 assists and goal

 

[r3idy]

Really hope we stick to the 'Ammers today. Outside of the Scouse, there is something I really detest about them East End Barrow boys. Mug their fans off every year with some BS 'West 'Am Way i.e. play like shite and have the occasional patch where they play decent football. Only raise their game for us or Chelsea.

Think Jose will keep it pretty tight to start with so don't expect Martial or Rashford to start today.

 

[Random Task]

Isn't Atkinson a bit of a homebody?

Thought it was a known fact that he hates us with a passion, actively going out of his way to prevent us from winning the game.

No, I'm not paranoid

 

[ManuMou]

I think one of the main reasons that Lingard was starter, especially late last season, was that Jose played more defensively, hence Jose went with Lingard's work rate and defensive capabilities (compared to Martial/Rash)

I would be really, really surprised to see Lingard start over Martial/Rashford this game, @ OT !