Key events
Breaking news: West Ham legend Billy Bonds dies aged 79
West Ham have released the following statement:
One of the greatest competitors English football has ever seen, Billy passed away peacefully on Sunday morning, at the age of 79.
He stands unrivalled as the longest-serving player in the club’s 130-year history, having made a total of 799 appearances across a magnificent 21-year career that saw him captain us to two FA Cup triumphs and a Second Division title, win four Hammer of the Year awards, and awarded two testimonials, a PFA merit award and an MBE for services to football.
In February 1990, he was appointed as first-team manager, leading the club to promotion from Division Two and an FA Cup semi-final in 1991. After relegation in 1992, Bonds immediately led the Hammers back into the top-flight in 1993, as we became a Premier League Club for the first time.
He left Upton Park in 1994 after 27 years of impeccable service, and in 2013 was presented with the club’s first-ever Lifetime Achievement award. In 2018 he was voted by fans as West Ham United’s greatest-ever player, and a year later made an emotional appearance at London Stadium when the Billy Bonds Stand was opened in his honour.
The thoughts and sincere condolences of everyone at West Ham United are with Claire, Katie, Eloise and Elissa as they come to terms with their loss, and we kindly ask that the family’s privacy is respected at this sad and difficult time.
The family have made the following statement:
“We are heartbroken to announce that we lost our beloved Dad today. He was devoted to his family and was the most kind, loyal, selfless, and loving person.
“Dad loved West Ham United and its wonderful supporters with all his heart and treasured every moment of his time at the Club.
“He will always be in our hearts and eternally missed. We take comfort knowing that his legacy will live on forever.”
RIP Billy Bonds.
We should say that the United starting XI today is quite an attacking one, so it makes sense to have defensive options on the bench. But further to Andrew’s email, there is no recognised forward player of any kind, so any injury to Diallo, Mbeumo, Mount or Zirkzee, and United are once again in trouble.
The only player that is naturally offensive is Shea Lacey, an attacking midfielder or winger who is yet to make his first-team debut. The 18-year-old is highly-rated, though, and mentioned in this piece by Will Unwin regarding United’s academy.
“How many defenders is that on the Manchester United bench?” emails Andrew Goudie. “Five? Is the plan to nick a goal and then park three buses?”
This was one of the criticisms of United against Everton on Monday: that Amorim selected a bench unable to change the game when things were not working. It was bizarre that with United chasing the game against a 10-man side in a low block, he chose to bring on Diego Dalot at left wing-back. Dalot is a good footballer, but it was not a surprise that he offered very little going forward when he came on.
Yes, United have had injuries recently but it’s unforgivable that they do not have more dangerous options in reserve given the hundreds of millions that have been spent. How Amorim improves United offensively in the next weeks, especially with both Amad Diallo and Bryan Mbeumo leaving for Afcon, is going to be very interesting.
It’s worth flagging that following their midweek matches in the Conference League, Palace’s league results immediately after are two losses and a 0-0 draw, completely at odds with the rest of their season. It’s fair to say that they are still acclimatising to the challenge of fighting on two different fronts, domestically and in Europe.
Both Palace and United are playing 3-4-3 today, so both sides will be effectively marking each other man-to-man. Both managers have spoken to TNT about the tactical battle today.
Palace’s Oliver Glasner: “It’s a funny story. It’s the third game within one week and always facing 3-4-3. It’s an interesting challenge. We always know what we want to do, regardless of the opposition system. It’s all about where we can find the spaces, how quick we can come away from tight areas. If we find the overloads and we are efficient, it will be crucial and we have a good chance to win the game.”
Manchester United’s Ruben Amorim: “I make a rotation based upon training. If you train well, you are going to play. I think Palace fit our style. In the future we need to have more flexibility. It’s easy to compare the teams, it’s going to be a game man versus man.”
The teams!
Crystal Palace (3-4-3): Henderson, Richards, Lacroix, Guehi, Munoz, Wharton, Kamada, Mitchell, Sarr, Pino, Mateta.
Subs: Benitez, Lerma, Nketiah, Uche, Clyne, Hughes, Esse, Canvot, Devenny.
Manchester United (3-4-3): Lammens, Yoro, de Ligt, Shaw, Diallo, Casemiro, Fernandes, Dalot, Mbeumo, Mount, Zirkzee.
Subs: Bayindir, Mazraoui, Martinez, Malacia, Dorgu, Ugarte, Heaven, Mainoo, Lacey.
There were some interesting comments from Amorim in the lead up to this game. The United manager suggested that the pressure of playing for United is causing Patrick Dorgu to lose confidence, make poor decisions on the pitch. The Danish wing back has dropped to the bench today, with Dalot preferred at left wing-back.
When I see them training they are doing so much better than in games,” he said. “Then Patrick, when I see him playing for the national team, he’s scored a great goal against Scotland [this month], the decision that he made under pressure was completely different [to calmly sidefoot home] to the decision[s] he’s making in our team. You can feel the anxiety every time Patrick touches the ball. I can feel it, the anxiety.”
Amorim cited Dorgu missing a chance to equalise in Monday’s 1-0 loss to Everton as an example.
I remember the shot against Everton [dragging it wide]. That was easier than the decision that he had to make [against] Scotland – and I saw [his quality] when he played in Italy. But again, here [United] is different and sometimes the pressure is hard for them in the beginning, but he has time to improve. I just need to understand the context in trying to help them [Dorgu and Dalot]. They are far from their best, and they know it. Like a lot of players in our team, like myself. I just look at them, and think they have so much more to give. So let’s see this week if we can improve that.”
Preamble
Well, isn’t this a novelty: a midday (GMT) kick-off on a Sunday. The roast dinner is gonna have to wait. Selhurst Park is looking replendent in this winter sunshine. For the Palace fans living in south London and beyond, it’s time to go to church.
Let’s see if the United fans make it to the away end, the first train left Manchester Piccadilly on Sunday at 8.05am and arrived at London Euston around the time that this liveblog launched. That gives them just under an hour to make a 45-minute journey, which is almost certain to be longer anyone that needs a snack/drink/the toilet or those that aren’t intimately familiar with London’s public transport. So basically everyone. The unusual kick-off time is a result of TNT Sports choosing it for broadcast (and Palace’s involvement in the Conference League on Thursday). Once again, it feels like the match-going fans have been forgotten about. Hmmm.
Rant over. This is such an intriguing game. Both sides could win it. If United are to come away with three points, they are going to have to drastically improve on Monday’s home defeat to 10-man Everton, perhaps the most toothless and disorganised defeat of the league season to end what had been a decent unbeaten run stretching back to September.
Palace also lost this week, away at Strasbourg in Europe, but have been mostly excellent this season and are 12 points better off than this stage last season, a league high. They are unbeaten against United at Selhurst in over five years. Who would bet against Adam Wharton and Jean-Philippe Mateta, two players linked with United in the last few months, turning on the style today for Palace?
Kick-off: midday (GMT).
