
<gu-island name="KeyEventsCarousel" deferuntil="visible" props="{"keyEvents":[{"id":"642973778f08800f71af8476","elements":[{"_type":"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement","html":"
West Ham United (4-1-4-1): Fabianski; Kehrer, Aguerd, Zouma, Emerson; Rice; Benrahma, Soucek, Paqueta, Bowen; Ings. Subs: Areola, Cresswell, Coufal, Fornals, Antonio, Lanzini, Downes, Cornet, Ogbonna.
","elementId":"899c1b77-fc10-431f-b119-d730d540f6f9"},{"_type":"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement","html":"
Southampton (4-4-2): Bazunu; Walker-Peters, Caleta-Car, Bednarek, Perraud; Elyounoussi, Ward-Prowse, Lavia, Armstrong; Mara, Walcott. Subs: McCarthy, Maitland-Niles, Lyanco, Aribo, Orsic, Onuachu, Sulemana, Alcaraz, Diallo.
","elementId":"291c7561-2286-42bf-bc17-82585584b293"},{"_type":"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement","html":"
Referee: Paul Tierney (Wigan)
","elementId":"2419dfc7-a795-42a5-9a6e-b12fd6bf7adf"}],"attributes":{"pinned":false,"keyEvent":true,"summary":false},"blockCreatedOn":1680438135000,"blockCreatedOnDisplay":"13.22 BST","blockLastUpdated":1680438565000,"blockLastUpdatedDisplay":"13.29 BST","blockFirstPublished":1680438259000,"blockFirstPublishedDisplay":"13.24 BST","blockFirstPublishedDisplayNoTimezone":"13.24","title":"Let’s have some teams…","contributors":[],"primaryDateLine":"Sun 2 Apr 2023 13.42 BST","secondaryDateLine":"First published on Sun 2 Apr 2023 13.19 BST"},{"id":"6427f1378f082ce94b437024","elements":[{"_type":"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement","html":"
There’s little more affirming than someone else’s misery, and there should be plenty of that at the London Stadium today as the Premier League’s bottom two get it on. Though nothing will be settled today, because every side up to Crystal Palace in 12th are part of the fight to stay up – they have 30 points to Southampton’s 23 and West Ham’s 24 – but a defeat for either, and things will look very grim.
","elementId":"b72bf4c3-5a9f-4e1d-a992-e17fcf2b97d6"},{"_type":"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement","html":"
West Ham have absolutely no business whatsoever being as bad as they’ve been – theirs is a talented and expensive squad. But 24 goals from 26 games is an absolutely disgraceful return, and unless David Moyes can find an attacking combination that works, he’s not only struggling to keep his team in the division, but to keep his job for next season.
","elementId":"7b5a93a4-e1ba-4417-a2ae-1743075becc4"},{"_type":"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement","html":"
Southampton, meanwhile, are in all sorts. Ruben Selles could be a good manager, but he’s only in post because Nathan Jones isn’t, and his contract only runs until the end of the season. In the meantime, though, he needs to somehow generate momentum, having had any might’ve enjoyed following the 3-3 comeback draw with Spurs confiscated by the international break.
","elementId":"57b4b43e-6557-4174-b070-f725aa6ba805"},{"_type":"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement","html":"
This is going to be horrible!
","elementId":"6b59c286-bfe0-40ae-a2b1-5001a568f72d"},{"_type":"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement","html":"
Kick-off: 2pm BST
","elementId":"a0fa5101-d514-4865-82fb-124f0f328106"}],"attributes":{"pinned":false,"keyEvent":true,"summary":false},"blockCreatedOn":1680437968000,"blockCreatedOnDisplay":"13.19 BST","blockLastUpdated":1680437994000,"blockLastUpdatedDisplay":"13.19 BST","blockFirstPublished":1680437968000,"blockFirstPublishedDisplay":"13.19 BST","blockFirstPublishedDisplayNoTimezone":"13.19","title":"Preamble","contributors":[],"primaryDateLine":"Sun 2 Apr 2023 13.42 BST","secondaryDateLine":"First published on Sun 2 Apr 2023 13.19 BST"}],"filterKeyEvents":false,"format":{"display":0,"theme":2,"design":10},"id":"key-events-carousel-mobile"}”>
Key events
David Moyes says his side were in good form prior to the break – they thrashed the mighty Lanarca – and he thinks it’s a shame they missed their Man City game the weekend before the internationals due to FA Cup. I wonder if he actually thinks that. Anyhow, he admits that scoring goals has been a problem, so he’s pleased to have Ings, and also that Aguerd and Emerson are available, as both were doubt. He thinks it’s good if you can more points as opposed to fewer points.
My guess is West Ham look to get the ball into Ings’ feet then play off him, or go wide and get early crosses into the box. I’d not expect to see all that much playing through midfield, though who knows, perhaps today will the day that Lucas Paquetá starts asserting himself.
Danny Ings seems a nice lad – Sky have just done a piece with him – and his choice of Highgate as a place to live in London is solid. It’s not especially handy for West Ham, but he explains that players’ schedules are so full-on, they need to make sure their partners are happy with their living arrangements.
Email! “Scamacca, not even on the bench,” says Michael Allen. “Moyes must really dislike him.”
I guess we need confirmation that he’s not injured – leaving a striker off the bench when your team struggle to score seems odd – but yup, three league goals is not a great return.
Southampton, meanwhile, make two changes: Mohammed Salisu and Che Adams are both out with gahs sustained with their countries, so Duje Caleta-Car and Sekou Mara come in.
What does it all mean? West Ham welcome back Lukasz Fabianski – he’s been out with a fractured cheekbone and eye socket – with Alphonse Areola dropping to the bench.
Let’s have some teams…
West Ham United (4-1-4-1): Fabianski; Kehrer, Aguerd, Zouma, Emerson; Rice; Benrahma, Soucek, Paqueta, Bowen; Ings. Subs: Areola, Cresswell, Coufal, Fornals, Antonio, Lanzini, Downes, Cornet, Ogbonna.
Southampton (4-4-2): Bazunu; Walker-Peters, Caleta-Car, Bednarek, Perraud; Elyounoussi, Ward-Prowse, Lavia, Armstrong; Mara, Walcott. Subs: McCarthy, Maitland-Niles, Lyanco, Aribo, Orsic, Onuachu, Sulemana, Alcaraz, Diallo.
Referee: Paul Tierney (Wigan)
Preamble
There’s little more affirming than someone else’s misery, and there should be plenty of that at the London Stadium today as the Premier League’s bottom two get it on. Though nothing will be settled today, because every side up to Crystal Palace in 12th are part of the fight to stay up – they have 30 points to Southampton’s 23 and West Ham’s 24 – but a defeat for either, and things will look very grim.
West Ham have absolutely no business whatsoever being as bad as they’ve been – theirs is a talented and expensive squad. But 24 goals from 26 games is an absolutely disgraceful return, and unless David Moyes can find an attacking combination that works, he’s not only struggling to keep his team in the division, but to keep his job for next season.
Southampton, meanwhile, are in all sorts. Ruben Selles could be a good manager, but he’s only in post because Nathan Jones isn’t, and his contract only runs until the end of the season. In the meantime, though, he needs to somehow generate momentum, having had any might’ve enjoyed following the 3-3 comeback draw with Spurs confiscated by the international break.
This is going to be horrible!
Kick-off: 2pm BST