It makes sense though, it's pretty obvious that if Slaven Bilic wanted to get a "heads up" on our team news, the first place he'd look would be Hertfordshire's premier sports only website. This isn't just the writer being a pompous in-the-know merchant, he's doing it to protect our club.
Would be great to get a point tonight. With other results that could make us mathematically safe would it not? Either way we can relax tonight knowing we are safe. Hoping for a good performance as a battering would not be good ahead of Sunday. West Spam have to come out and play and hopefully we can negate their play and nick a goal. Still after the worries of the last few months nice to relax knowing we are safe.
If we win tonight and Sunderland fail to win on Sunday against Arsenal, we could know 15 minutes before the Semi-Final kicks off that we are mathematically safe West Ham 1 - 2 Watford Ighalo Berghuis
If we win tonight we would be safe (on 44) as Norwich (max 43) wouldn't be able to catch us as they have one less match to play than Sunderland (max 45).
still a possibility to get to 50 points now that would be one hell of an achievement in a season we were meant to be relegated!
I honestly think we have a chance tonight. All the pressure is now on West Ham, who are chasing Europe, which I'm sure QSF will remind the players of that. Also, it seems like a fresh squad are going to be playing and are going to be well and truly up for it to prove they are worthy to play for this club. I'm going for a cheeky 2-2.
Doesn't sound like the team will be as weak as we all thought, no under 21 players travelling with the squad. I'll go for: Gomes Paredes Prodl Cathcart Holebas Abdi Suarez Behrami Anya Amrabat Deeney (off after about an hour for Ighalo)
How is a 'cheeky' 2-2 different to a non-cheeky 2-2? Is it the players little grins as the full time whistle goes?
I think it may be less about the strength of the team that is put out and more the message that comes from the dressing room. When I lived in Norwich and they lost to Luton in the cup, I was chatting to a colleague who told me that the team had been given instructions to 'not get injured'. This of course meant players didn't go in for 50:50s, maybe push slightly less when sprinting etc. IF Flores gives a similar message I think we will lose comfortably regardless of who's in it, as West Ham will be fired up pushing for Europe.
At this stage of the season, with the need to rotate because of the semi final this weekend and with PL safety virtually assured, I think it's a crying shame that Quique has opted not to at least include Jakubiak in the travelling party.
It might be better if Jakubiak makes his Premier League debut against Joleon Lescott rather than Winston Reid.
Yeah I was hoping he'd be involved tonight but it's not much of a reward to chuck him in for a touch away game at West Ham compared to an easier home game against already relegated Villa.
It's almost like Quique has a better understanding of our young player's development and capabilities than us.
If we play a front 4 of Anya, Abdi, Berghuis and Amrabat, we won't score if we play for a full century. i hope i am wrong
According to Watford Pics on twitter Capoue, Ighalo and Ake haven't travelled, they also says Deeney could be on the bench.
When Blackpool were in the Prem, Ian Holloway got in trouble for not fielding the 'strongest side possible' The Premier League aren't still doing that BS are they?
Not altogether BS when you consider that a European spot is at stake. You can be sure West Ham won't complain about a weakened team but Man City, Man U and Arsenal might.
