(A) West Ham - Pre Match Thoughts

Premier League

                                         Sunday 9th December 2012
                                            Boleyn Ground

                                     West Ham VS Liverpool

The trials and tribulations of a managers first season will see many challenges, I can't recall ever having to go into a game with no recognized striker to call on however. A lot of people will focus on the situation that's led to this position but whatever the outcome, those at the top need to make sure something like this never happens again.

As a trio that runs through the spine of the side, it will be good to recall Lucas, Gerrard and Agger. Lucas will have to be fully cleared if he's going to have as much of an impact as we'll need him to have. West Ham and the way Sam Allardyce will set up will require a lot of running and for that reason it may be better to see Gerrard in a more attacking role. This will also help in that he's our best finisher but we'll only be able to do it if Lucas is good to go.

Jonjo Shelvey is the one earmarked for the head striking option and having seen him play the role against Young Boys I think it'll work fine so long as those either side of him are prepared to run in behind. There is every chance we could be very narrow and have little numbers in attacking areas - both Gerrard and Shelvey would drop deep at certain times so then a lot would rely on either Allen, Henderson or Sterling's running ahead of the play to stretch it. A lot of the game will be played in the middle third and despite our - lack of - striking options we have to be conscious of this and make sure that we are able to get people further forward.

An alternative option - albeit a radical one - would be if Rodgers decided to go for three at the back. Glen Johnson and Jose Enrique would be able to get forward and support whomever in attack and with Lucas in midfield we would have enough solidity at the back to deal with what is sure to be an aerial bombardment. Allardyce teams pull no punches with their direct approach to the game and I'm a little worried about how we might be susceptible to the set peice but I firmly believe Skrtel and Agger are capable of dealing with them in open play, although they're certain not to get much peace.

With two winnable home games to come, it will be difficult but if a run of victories is ever going to materialize then this will be the biggest stumbling block. Get through this with anything would represent a decent effort but in order to move higher up toward where we want to be in the table then nothing less than a win would do. It's probably not going to be the best exhibition of football that's ever been on display but we're becoming rather good as of late of getting the job done. Doing it here would be a very good sign indeed.