View From The Opposition - Liverpool
There were a number of positives to take out of the game away at Hull City last Monday and we will be talking about the goal from Enner Valencia for quite some time.
In the two away games West Ham have played this season there have been clear signs that the approach has looked more attacking.
The football has improved and we have scored five goals in those two away games.
As for the home form? Well it has been the same type of thing from last season and playing Liverpool is not a game you would look to as one to change the poor form at Upton Park.
At the same time Liverpool haven't started the season particularly well and the loss of Luis Suarez has clearly effected them.
This week we speak to a couple of Liverpool fans about the upcoming match.
As usual all the questions have come from members of WHO.
The two Liverpool fans as Greg Unitt and Gary Jones. Many thanks to both for their answers.
Very few people would deny you were unlucky last season - just how gut wrenching was the run in?
Greg: It was surreal, I'm 22 so have never seen us win a league title. The closest was in in 2008-09 season when we also finished 2nd. This time was just out of nowhere, I would say some games we were unlucky but others we were lucky! The famous 'Crystanbul' game will forever hurt us as fans.
Gary: It was for me the closest we have come to winning the league so probably the hardest few weeks in football for me and I've seen us play under Roy Hodgson.
Scousers are known for their great sense of humour, but were you able to join in the nationwide sniggering when Gerrard slipped against Chelsea?
Greg: Not at all, for obvious reasons. But its part of football, I've laughed at many players before so I have to accept it when it happens to our players! Although, the thing about this incident, is the irony of the fact Gerrard's performances got us to a position where that slip is known as 'what cost LFC the title'. Our aim was top 4, so finishing 2nd is nothing to be gutted about whatsoever for me.
Gary: No I can't say I did join in especially as it was against Chelsea.
Will Gerrard now be forever remembered as the captain who destroyed your only shot at title success for the foreseeable future?
Greg: Absolutely not. Quite the opposite in fact. Without that man who knows where we'd be, he's the one whos basically ran the club on and off the pitch in terms of his passion and commitment, and his remaining few years I wouldn't be surprised if we had another title run in.
Gary: No never. He will be remembered as one of our greatest ever players - all players make mistakes.
Do you see parallels between the rapid demise of yourselves and now of Man Utd (successful manager leaves, man who takes over struggles to make instant impact, board has to throw money at it to fix things)? Did Benitez actually just leave a huge mess to clear up like Fergie has?
Greg: I think ourselves and United are alike in that sense. Benitez and Fergie were fantastic managers, they leave, Moyes and Hodgson come in but don't make the impact they need to, now we have Rodgers and they have VG who have made the teams that more attacking and slick. Too soon to tell for Man United though, I still think they're missing the fear factor Fergie bought.
Gary: Yes very similar but they have fell from a greater height and when you can't offer European football you become desperate with your signings, for example and (no offence here) Andy Carroll (35m) and Stewart Downing (20m). Also add Charlie Adam in the mix. Fergie left a sinking ship for his ego.
Do you understand a word Jamie Carragher says?
Greg: Haha! I don't think he understands himself.
Gary: Yes! He was born round the corner in Bootle and his mum still lives 2 minutes away.
What are your views on safe standing being introduced?
Greg: I honestly just don't see why we can't just have seated stadiums, but certain parts of stadiums allow fans to stand up. That way you have a choice of either. Obviously we've all seen the footage of what happened at Hillsborough on that day, and any form of standing just brings me an image of those lives lost, I personally don't see many benefits from it.
Gary: It would be disrespectful to the victims of Hillsborough.
Has the Suarez money been spent wisely?
Greg: Time will tell. I think Markovic, Moreno and Lovren have been very impressive. Lallana and Manquillo from what I've seen have done well, Emre Can is the only player I've seen so far and haven't been too impressed. And as for Ballotelli, I think £16m is worth the risk for a potentially £30m striker. Nobody was ever going to replace Suarez though were they?
Gary: Yes I believe it has. We have signed young talent and whilst we have maybe over paid for a few of them I think we have brought in some real class, A player like Suarez will always be irreplaceable
As you are famous for thieving do you feel aggrieved that Allardyce managed to nick both Carroll and Downing from you for £23m?
Greg: Ah, the famous 'thieving scousers' stereotype. Never gets old. £23m for 2 players that were well below par for a club like LFC? I would of paid you £23m to take them off us.
Gary: Haha and no I feel like we done thieving. They're worth about 15 million between them.
Which would you chose, if forced to choose between the two scenarios? Scenario 1: For the next ten seasons, you finish 2nd, and Man U finishes 1st. Scenario 2: For the next ten seasons, you finish 7th and Man U finishes 8th.
Greg: Scenario 1. Title battle with United would be amazing each season, plus, how boring would City v Chelsea be for 10 seasons?
Gary: Scenario 1 all day long. Champions League football is key.
Which West Ham player you would have in the Liverpool team?
Greg: Hmm.. I'm a fan of Collins and Jaaskelainen but would probably go for new boy Valencia, he looks a player!
Gary: Valencia (for the bench)
Your favourite crisp?
Greg: Chilli heatwave Doritos, consistently fantastic.
Gary: Cheese and onion Walkers
Prediction
Greg: I'm going 2-2, I feel we both struggle defensively but can also score! Plus we struggled to break down Villa at home, and now have champions league midweek, we could be exhausted!
Gary: A scrappy 94th minute 1-0 Liverpool win.
Thanks again to Greg and Gary for taking part.
Email: vinnywhufc@hotmail.com
Twitter: @vinnywhufc
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