WHUFC.com
All the background information and team news ahead of Saturday's visit to
the Emirates
29.10.2010
ARSENAL v WEST HAM UNITED
BARCLAYS PREMIER LEAGUE
SATURDAY 30 OCTOBER 2010
KICK-OFF: 3PM
Introduction
• West Ham United make the eight-mile journey to the Emirates aiming to
extend their recent encouraging run to one defeat in eight matches in all
competitions.
• The Hammers have lost just one of their previous five Barclays Premier
League matches, going down 2-1 at home to Newcastle United on Saturday 23
October. That defeat was followed by a 3-1 extra-time Carling Cup
fourth-round win over Stoke City at the Boleyn Ground on Wednesday evening.
• Arsenal have won their last four matches in all competitions, scoring 14
goals in the process. The Gunners scored an impressive 3-0 Premier League
victory at Manchester City last Sunday 24 October before defeating Newcastle
4-0 at St James' Park in the Carling Cup on Wednesday.
• Arsenal have won five of their six home matches in all competitions this
season, scoring 25 goals in the process. West Bromwich Albion are the only
away side to win at the Emirates this term, scoring a 3-2 Premier League
success on 25 September.
• West Ham will be seeking to end a seven-match winless run against the
Gunners stretching back to 7 April 2007, when Bobby Zamora's goal secured a
1-0 victory in north London. The Hammers did the double over Arsenal in
2006/07, with Marlon Harewood bagging the winner in the reverse Premier
League fixture at the Boleyn Ground on 5 November 2006.
• The two sides met three times last season. A 2-2 Premier League draw at
the Boleyn Ground was followed by a 2-1 FA Cup third-round win for Arsenal
at the same venue. The Gunners also won 2-0 at the Emirates in the reverse
Premier League fixture in March.
• The best Hammers awayday at Arsenal came on 14 November 1964 with a 3-0
victory. Geoff Hurst, Johnny Byrne and Martin Peters all scored without
reply for a West Ham team without the injured Bobby Moore.
• West Ham's heaviest defeat at Arsenal was a 6-1 reverse exactly 34 years
ago on 20 March 1976. Brian Kidd scored the final three goals for the
Gunners, with Alan Ball getting two, against a Hammers team boasting Frank
Lampard, Billy Bonds and Trevor Brooking. Arsenal finished 17th that season
on 36 points, ahead of West Ham in 18th only on goal difference.
Team news
West Ham United
• Manager Avram Grant is without Thomas Hitzlsperger (thigh), Zavon Hines
(knee) and Jack Collison (knee). The latter two are entering the final
stages of their rehabilitation and are hoping to return around the turn of
the year, Hitzlsperger has a February comeback date having had surgery on
his torn muscle.
• Robert Green, Scott Parker and Mark Noble will all hope to maintain their
ever-present records this season in the Barclays Premier League. Green is on
a run of 135 consecutive league starts for the club and will make his 150th
league appearance for West Ham should he appear at the Emirates.
• Matthew Upson will not return to the starting lineup after missing the
midweek Carling Cup win over Stoke City as a precaution after suffering a
minor hamstring injury in last weekend's defeat by Newcastle United.
• Lars Jacobsen is available again after missing the midweek victory over
Stoke due to being cup-tied. It remains to be seen if striker Freddie
Piquionne can return from his own knock last weekend.
Arsenal
• Arsenal will be without forward Robin van Persie, who has been out since
suffering a foot injury playing against Blackburn Rovers in August.
• Centre-back Thomas Vermaelen is out with an achilles problem he suffered
while on international duty with Belgium in August.
• Midfielder Aaron Ramsey is sidelined with a broken leg suffered in a
tackle with Stoke City defender Ryan Shawcross in February.
• Young midfielder Emmanuel Frimpong is out for the remainder of the season
after undergoing anterior cruciate ligament surgery.
• Left-back Kieran Gibbs could be out after suffering a knee injury in
Wednesday's Carling Cup success at Newcastle United.
Last time out
West Ham United
• West Ham United returned to winning ways, defeating Stoke City 3-1 after
extra time to reach the Carling Cup quarter-finals. Kenwyne Jones headed
Stoke into a sixth-minute lead before Scott Parker equalised six minutes
from full-time. Substitute Mark Noble provided the assists for Manuel da
Costa and Victor Obinna to settle matters during the additional 30 minutes.
27 October 2010
Carling Cup fourth round
West Ham United 3-1 Stoke City
West Ham: Stech, Faubert, Da Costa, Tomkins, Ben Haim, Barrera, Kovac
(Obinna 64), Parker, Boa Morte (Behrami 72), Cole, McCarthy (Noble 72)
Subs not used: Green, Reid, Ilunga, Nouble
Goals: Parker 84, Da Costa 96, Obinna 118
Arsenal
• Arsenal swept aside Newcastle United 4-0 at St James' Park on Wednesday to
take their place in the last eight of the Carling Cup. Magpies goalkeeper
Tim Krul deflected in an unfortunate own-goal before Theo Walcott added a
controversial second. Nicklas Bendtner scored a third before Walcott
completed the scoring with his second of the evening.
27 October 2010
Carling Cup fourth round
Newcastle United 0-4 Arsenal
Arsenal: Szczesny, Koscielny, Djourou, Eboue, Gibbs (Sagna 19), Eastmond,
Rosicky. Walcott, Denilson, Vela (Fabregas 70), Bendtner (Emmanuel-Thomas
84)
Subs not used: Fabianski, Nordtveit, Arshavin, Lansbury
Goals: Krul 45 (og), Walcott 53, 88, Bendtner 83
Last meeting
West Ham United were defeated 2-0 by Arsenal in the clubs' most recent
Barclays Premier League meeting at the Emirates on 20 March 2010. Denilson
stroked Arsenal into a fifth-minute lead before Thomas Vermaelen was
sent-off in added time at the end of the first half for a professional foul
on Guillermo Franco. Alessandro Diamanti saw the resulting penalty saved
before Cesc Fabregas made sure of the Gunners' success with a spot-kick of
his own seven minutes from full-time.
Arsenal: Almunia, Vermaelen, Clichy, Eboue, Campbell, Fabregas, Nasri (Sagna
74), Denilson, Song, Arshavin (Eduardo 84), Bendtner (Diaby 58)
Subs not used: Fabianski, Silvestre, Rosicky, Walcott
West Ham United: Green, Upson, Spector, Tomkins, Daprela, Kovac (Noble 70),
Behrami, Diamanti, Stanislas, Franco (Cole 57), Mido (McCarthy 75)
Subs not used: Stech, Ilunga, Spence, Ilan
Head to head
• Last six meetings (Premier League unless stated):
20 March 2010 Arsenal 2-0 West Ham United
3 January 2010 West Ham United 1-2 Arsenal (FA Cup third round)
25 October 2009 West Ham United 2-2 Arsenal
31 January 2009 Arsenal 0-0 West Ham United
26 October 2008 West Ham United 0-2 Arsenal
1 January 2008 Arsenal 2-0 West Ham United
Overall record v Arsenal (all competitions) W 33 D 38 L 52
Ten-year league records
West Ham United
2009/10 Premier League 17th (35 points)
2008/09 Premier League 9th (51 points)
2007/08 Premier League 10th (49 points)
2006/07 Premier League 15th (41 points)
2005/06 Premier League 9th (55 points)
2004/05 Championship 6th (73 points - promoted to Premier League via
play-offs)
2003/04 Championship 4th (74 points)
2002/03 Premier League 18th (42 points - relegated to Championship)
2001/02 Premier League 7th (53 points)
2000/01 Premier League 15th (42 points)
Arsenal
2009/10 Premier League 3rd (75 points)
2008/09 Premier League 4th (72 points)
2007/08 Premier League 3rd (83 points)
2006/07 Premier League 4th (68 points)
2005/06 Premier League 4th (67 points)
2004/05 Premier League 2nd (83 points)
2003/04 Premier League 1st (90 points)
2002/03 Premier League 2nd (78 points)
2001/02 Premier League 1st (87 points)
2000/01 Premier League 2nd (70 points)
Background
West Ham United
• Scott Parker is West Ham's leading scorer this season with four goals -
the No8 has scored twice each in the Barclays Premier League and the Carling
Cup. Frederic Piquionne and Mark Noble have also netted twice in the Premier
League, with the Frenchman adding a third goal in the Carling Cup
third-round win at Sunderland.
• Danny Gabbidon's yellow card against Fulham on 2 October was the quickest
caution given to a top-flight player this season. It came after just one
minute and 25 seconds.
• It is ten matches since the Hammers scored more than once in a Barclays
Premier League contest - the longest run in the top-flight.
Arsenal
• Samir Nasri is Arsenal's leading scorer in all competitions this season
with seven goals - four of which have come in the Barclays Premier League.
Theo Walcott has also netted four league goals and six overall. Marouane
Chamakh has netted three league goals and six overall.
• Arsenal are the Premier League's second-highest scorers with 21 goals in
nine matches. Chelsea are the only side to have hit the net more often,
scoring 25 times.
• Andrey Arshavin is the only Arsenal player to have started all nine
Premier League matches this season. Chamakh has started eight and appeared
as a substitute the other.
Referee
• Saturday's referee is Mike Jones, who last took charge of West Ham United
for the 1-0 home Barclays Premier League victory over Sunderland on 10 April
2010.
• Jones started refereeing at 15, and is now in his 17th season on the
National List, four as an assistant and thirteen as a referee. 2009/10 is
his second season as a Select Group referee.
• He was appointed to referee the 2009 FA Trophy final between Stevenage
Borough and York City and to referee the 2007 League Two Play-Off final
between Bristol Rovers and Shrewsbury Town, both at Wembley.
• He was the fourth official for the 2004 Carling Cup final between
Middlesbrough and Bolton Wanderers and was also the man in the middle for
the 1997 Conference League Cup final and the 2005 Women's FA Cup final.
• Jones has yet to referee the Hammers this season, but he did take charge
of Arsenal's 6-0 home Premier League victory over Blackpool on 21 August.
Old boys
• Matthew Upson joined Arsenal from Luton Town for £2m in May 1997 at the
age of 18. Upson made a total of 56 appearances for the Gunners over
five-and-a-half seasons before moving to Birmingham City for £1m in January
2003
• Luis Boa Morte was brought to English football from Sporting Clube de
Portugal in 1997 in a £1.75m deal, making 25 appearances for Arsenal before
leaving for Southampton for an initial fee of £500,000 in August 1999.
• Among the players who have represented both clubs are Jeremie Aliadiere,
James Bigden, Jimmy Bloomfield, Liam Brady, Dick Curtis, George Burgess,
Kaba Diawara, Ted Drake, Stan Earle, Bert Fletcher, Ron Greenwood, Eddie
Hapgood, John Hartson, Les Henley, Fergie Hunt, James Jackson, Bernard Joy,
Fred Kemp, Tom Lee, Harry Lewis, William Linwood, Fredrik Ljungberg, Roddy
MacEachrane, Jimmy Marshall, David Noble, John Radford, Stewart Robson,
Charles Satterthwaite, Laurie Scott, Rami Shaaban, Bill Sidley, Bob
Stevenson, Davor Suker, Charlie Walker, Nigel Winterburn, Ian Wright and
Richard Wright.
Next up
• Avram Grant's side travel to St Andrew's Stadium to face Birmingham City
in the Barclays Premier League on Saturday 6 November, kick-off 3pm.
• Arsenal travel to Ukraine to take on Shakhtar Donetsk in the UEFA
Champions League group stage on Wednesday 3 November, kick-off 7.45pm UK
time.
Travel information
• For directions to the Emirates, click here.
General information
• All standard tickets for Saturday's game have SOLD OUT.
• The weather forecast for Saturday in north London is for a sunny day with
a maximum daytime temperature of 15C (59F).
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Avram on Friday
WHUFC.com
Avram Grant has spoken to the media ahead of Saturday's Barclays Premier
League trip to Arsenal
29.10.2010
The manager was in upbeat mood at his Friday press briefing, with the
midweek cup success returning the club to the form of the previous month.
While his skipper may be absent on Saturday at Arsenal, there is a chance
for one or two others to perhaps force their way into the starting lineup at
the Emirates.
Avram on team news…
"For the moment I don't think he [Matthew Upson] will play. The medical
department is checking him now but I don't think he will play. "Some of the
players are tired of course after 120 minutes [against Stoke City on
Wednesday], but this is the reason why we have scored so we can't complain.
This situation would be better if we had one more day to recover, but the
players that are playing tomorrow will be fit.
Avram on the possibility of fringe players forcing their way into the team…
"Yes, that happened against Sunderland then we did well in a few matches
after, including winning against Tottenham and can happen now. The Carling
Cup for us is important and also we can see other players and they can play
tomorrow.
Avram on the confidence gained from Wednesday's Carling Cup victory…
"It is not a secret that we are trying to implement a winning mentality. A
winning mentality means that you need to have the desire to win every game
and we were certainly very delighted for what happened on Wednesday because
against Newcastle we continued the second half against Wolves that was very
good, but on Wednesday we continued the second-half against Newcastle which
was not so good. However, the reaction of the players was very good. "I
think we didn't start the season very well but after 31 August, when we knew
the team and [despite] having some injuries, we did well. Our mentality is
better. Of course we are not 100 per cent yet, but you cannot change that in
one day. But the mentality is good, the football is good and from the last
seven games we won three and we drew three. The draws were more close to
winning and also affected by the decision of the referees against us, so we
just lost one game."
Avram on Valon Behrami's suggestion that some of the players are 'scared' on
the pitch…
"First, it is good that he was very honest and maybe some people were
scared. When I was in top teams I saw some were scared of losing the
Champions League or the semi-finals. I don't think that's negative, but I
don't think that needs to affect on the pitch. When you go to the pitch you
are trying to do your job and this is what is important. "I don't think that
any team in the bottom or on the top goes on to the pitch thinking 100 per
cent that they are going to win without any fear. I don't think is negative,
it might be negative if affects on the pitch. We were with zero points after
four games, so we had many reasons to have in a fear, but after that from
seven matches we just lost one game."
Avram on his respect for Arsenal's style of play…
"I always support good football, and they are playing very good football,
now they are in a good shape and they are playing wonderful. But we are in
the football business and it is important to remember that in football
everything can happen. "I think if we don't think like this we are
sportspeople. You always have to be positive and you need to believe that
you can do things that seem to be impossible. Of course I have all the
respect for them, but we going to do our best. "I think football players
have to speak on the pitch as we saw on Wednesday and I think you saw after
we had zero points in four games. I think the respond and the mentality was
very good on Wednesday.
Avram on his approach to facing Arsenal…
"It is always hard to play Arsenal, especially at the Emirates and when they
are in a good shape. I saw the match with Chelsea and they have dominated 90
per cent of the game and against Manchester City they played very good. They
are one of the best teams in Europe when they are in a good shape.
Avram on West Ham's position in the table…
"I am in football for so long, so I know that I have to be focused on my job
and even now in this position we are doing the right things. I think we have
been just unlucky and we could have more points. At the end of the day, it
is not a good situation and we don't like it but we are only after nine
games. So if you want to judge players or the team we need to wait.
Avram on the support of the owners…
"They know that we are facing difficulties, but they believe in this vision
and I believe in this vision. I believe there is no other way for West Ham
to do
good things. If you look on Wednesday, more than 50 per cent of the team was
under 24-years-old. So we are doing the right things and I know that is not
easy to say that, but I want to say now.
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Noble's cause for optimism
WHUFC.com
In-form Mark Noble is aiming for a repeat of West Ham United's 2007 win at
the Emirates on Saturday
29.10.2010
Mark Noble knows West Ham United will have to play like a team of
superheroes to secure victory at Arsenal on Saturday. The in-form No16 was
part of the Hammers side that pulled off a miraculous 1-0 win at the
Emirates in April 2007 - largely thanks to the heroics of 'Spiderman' Robert
Green. That result that paved the way for the club's 'Great Escape' from
relegation and Noble believes a similar result would kick-start West Ham's
bid to get out of the Barclays Premier League's bottom three. "I'd take a
one-nil, but not with the pressure we were under that day! I think Greeny
was Spiderman that day because he kept everything out of the goal. I'll
never forget it because we were the first team to beat them there and it
laid the foundations for us to go on and stay in the Premier League. "They
are one of the best teams in the league. They are fantastic at keeping the
ball and it's so hard to get it off them. They have an unbelievable set of
players but we are confident and will go there and enjoy it."
Noble himself is enjoying his football this term, lining up regularly
alongside Scott Parker in the Hammers engine room. There, the former England
Under-21 captain has been able to show off his full repertoire of passing,
setting up two goals in Wednesday's 3-1 Carling Cup fourth-round victory
over Stoke City. The 23-year-old danced around three defenders before
pulling the ball back for Manuel da Costa to put West Ham ahead before
sliding an inch-perfect pass through for Victor Obinna to complete the
scoring two minutes from the end of extra time. "I'm really happy with my
own form. It's probably the best I've played for a long, long while. I feel
I'm back to the way I can play and I'm just going to try to stay fit and
keep getting the results. "We know we can play like that. It was obviously
disappointing on Saturday [in the 2-1 defeat by Newcastle United] because,
for the first 20 minutes, we played unbelievable and got a goal, but it
changed from there. "We spoke about the things we need to do as a team, as a
group of coaching staff and a group of players and I think that showed
itself on Wednesday night. "Against Stoke, we dominated the first half but
didn't really create a lot. It then came off for us and we managed to put it
to bed. It was a cup tie and they had to go for it near the end and that
played into our hands and we ran out worthy winners.
"The 3-1 was a good result in the end, but it could have been four or five.
All credit to the likes of Valon and Victor who came on and added that
little bit of spice and we managed to get the result. "We need to keep
trying to play because we know we can do it. We obviously need to get more
consistent as a team and as a group of players, but I'm sure that will come
and we'll start to climb the table."
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Alvin aiming high
WHUFC.com
Hammers legend Alvin Martin believes the good times are ahead following
Wednesday's cup success
29.10.2010
West Ham United legend Alvin Martin believes West Ham United are on the
verge of enjoying a productive season. The Hammers have lost just one of
their last seven matches in all competitions and are through to the Carling
Cup quarter-finals following a stirring extra-time victory over Stoke City
in midweek. Martin, who was part of the West Ham side that reached the
League Cup final in 1981, believes a strong run in this season's competition
could be the catalyst for a surge up the Barclays Premier League table. "I
think there has been an upturn, I'm pleased to say," the former England
centre-back told whufc.com. "The low after the upturn was obviously the
Newcastle game, but talking after the Stoke game, it was a big win and a
good response after the Newcastle result. It's all about the next game now -
I don't know what's going to happen at Arsenal as anyone going to the
Emirates nowadays has a big task on their hands. "I think there are green
shoots of revival, though, and I've felt that for a few weeks now. We look
capable of scoring goals. We've just got to tidy up on a few things - we've
conceded a few from set pieces that perhaps we could improve on. "Victor
Obinna has come in and I've been really impressed with him, while Freddie
Piquonne has obviously had an impact."
With the Carling Cup quarter-final draw being made on Saturday, Martin is
eyeing a home draw against anyone other than Arsenal and Manchester United
in the last eight. "Let's hope they both draw each other! When you get to
this stage of the competition, you're always looking at a favourable draw,
but sometimes they can turn out to be banana skins. Sometimes you get bigger
teams like Aston Villa and it can be a blessing in disguise - we beat Villa
on the way to the FA Cup final in 1980. "Once you get into the
quarter-finals, you think to yourselves that you could do well and get to
the final. I think it only takes one draw - Arsenal and Man United getting
each other - and you think 'Who else is better than us in this
competition?'. "The draw is obviously going to be important, but if they can
have a reaction to the Stoke game and go to Arsenal and perform well there,
then there are games coming up that are all winnable. "If we can the go into
the next round of the League Cup with a few wins under our belts, then who
knows? Football is all about confidence and always will be about confidence.
I do feel we have an opportunity to really make our season over the next six
weeks."
Martin lamented the loss of two valuable points in the recent 1-1 Premier
League draw at Wolverhampton Wanderers, where Piquionne had a seemingly good
injury-time 'goal' ruled out for handball. However, the Liverpool-born
defender is looking to the future rather than the past and believes the
club's big players are hitting form at the right time ahead of important
meetings with Birmingham City, West Bromwich Albion and Blackpool in
November. "The Wolves game really could have been a win because the decision
went against us. That could have been two more points and that would have
made all the difference because two or three points can make a massive
difference to where you stand in the table. "There is a mental impact to
being in the bottom three from the players' point of view and also the fans'
point of view, so that two points that should have been gained at Wolves
would have made a big difference. "I'm relatively happy at what's going on.
We've got decent players - Mark Noble looks like he is in really good form
at the moment and Scotty Parker has been an inspiration and Robert Green has
come back and looked solid - so there are a lot of things I look at now and
think it's better than last season. "We look more capable of scoring goals
than we did last season, so hopefully things will look up for us."
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Stech sums up spirit
WHUFC.com
Marek Stech was part of a superb Carling Cup comeback against Stoke City on
Wednesday
28.10.2010
Marek Stech has hailed the fighting spirit of his West Ham United team-mates
following Wednesday's 3-1 Carling Cup fourth-round win over Stoke City.
The Hammers fell behind to Kenwyne Jones' early header, but battled back
superbly through goals from Scott Parker, Manuel da Costa and Victor Obinna
to secure victory after extra time. The Czech Republic Under-21 goalkeeper
also played his part in the success, showing safe handling and impeccable
decision-making under Stoke's trademark barrage of free-kicks, corners and
long throws. Having reached the quarter-finals and maintained his 100 per
cent success rate as Hammers goalkeeper, Stech is now eyeing a favourable
draw in Saturday's draw. "It was brilliant. I enjoyed it so much," he told
WHUTV. "The lads did well and we all worked hard. We were 1-0 down after
seven minutes and were a little bit down after that, but we pushed ourselves
and we passed the ball well. It was brilliant because we worked as a team
and that's what we needed to do. "We needed to improve and we did that. We
passed the ball quickly and made lots of chances and finally we won in extra
time. It's great to be in the next round and I'm looking forward to it. "I
wish we'd get Wigan or West Brom. Obviously Man U and Arsenal are still in,
so we will see if we have to deal with them. That's another game next month,
so we'll see what's going to happen."
Wednesday's tie saw Stech come up against Potters throw-in expert Rory Delap
for the first time in his career. Stoke positioned a player right in front
of the goalkeeper in an attempt to prevent him reaching the ball, but both
the 20-year-old and his defenders stood firm, punching, heading and hacking
the ball clear of danger. "When he throws the ball, everyone piles into the
box and it's always difficult to deal with. There were a few crosses and
throws that I came to punch away. You can't catch them really because there
are people standing in front of you and behind you - they are everywhere -
so you have to get a hand there and push it away. "The defenders did
brilliantly because they came for the crosses and headed them away, so I was
pleased with that."
As a sign of their collective spirit and togetherness, West Ham's players
gathered for a huddle before kick-off before doing likewise both before and
midway through extra time. For the latter two gatherings, manager Avram
Grant spoke animatedly to his team about the need to concentrate and keep
working until the very last. The words paid off as Da Costa and Obinna
struck during the additional 30 minutes to send their side through to the
last eight.
"He was just saying 'Keep focused' because always when you get to extra time
you have to focus and concentrate. You never know what can happen, so if you
keep your heads up and pass the ball well, you can do well. That's what we
did and we won the game."
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Arsenal v West Ham
BBC.co.uk
Barclays Premier League
Venue: Emirates Stadium Date: Saturday, 30 October Kick-off: 1500 BST
Coverage: Watch highlights on Match of the Day; listen on BBC Radio 5 live
and local radio; text commentary on BBC Sport website and mobiles
TEAM NEWS
Arsenal's Jack Wilshere serves the final game of a three-match suspension.
Defender Kieran Gibbs is sidelined with knee ligament damage suffered in the
League Cup win at Newcastle.
West Ham captain Matthew Upson looks likely to miss the game against his
former club Arsenal with a hamstring injury. Striker Frederic Piquionne is
doubtful with a leg problem, so Frank Nouble could be on the bench after
being recalled from a loan spell at Swansea.
Arsenal
Suspended: Wilshere (one match)
Injured: Almunia (elbow), Diaby & van Persie (both ankle), Frimpong & Gibbs
(both knee), Ramsey (broken leg), Vermaelen (Achilles)
West Ham
Doubtful: Piquionne (leg), Upson (hamstring)
Injured: Collison, Hines & Kurucz (all knee), Hitzlsperger (thigh)
MATCH PREVIEW
Both Arsenal and West Ham enjoyed Carling Cup wins in midweek, but that's
where the similarities end. While the Gunners have dazzled at home and
abroad this season, their London rivals have struggled to recover from their
worst start in the club's 115-year history. Avram Grant's future is unlikely
to be determined by the outcome at the Emirates, but the Israeli cannot
afford too many more performances like last weekend's limp defeat at
Newcastle. That result brought a promising run of five games unbeaten to a
crashing halt and left the Hammers, who were booed off the pitch by their
own supporters, marooned at the foot of the Premier League. Grant will be
hoping Wednesday's comeback victory over Stoke is enough to lift the gloom,
but the wrong result at Arsenal could be disastrous for morale. Arsene
Wenger's side have averaged three goals per match this season, plundering 12
in their last three outings, a terrifying prospect for the Hammers backline.
The Gunners confirmed their title-winning credentials with a resounding
victory at Manchester City, with their 4-0 League Cup win over Newcastle on
Wednesday fuelling the growing sense of belief that Wenger's men may be
ready to end their five-year wait for silverware.
MATCH FACTS
Head-to-head
• Arsenal are unbeaten in their last six Premier League matches against West
Ham.
• The Hammers have failed to score in five of their last six league meetings
with Arsenal.
• Arsenal have won more penalties (four) and seen more opponents sent off
(four) than any other side in the league.
• Manchester City are the only Premier League away team to keep a clean
sheet at the Emirates Stadium in 2010.
• Samir Nasri has scored seven goals in his last seven appearances for the
club in all competitions, and has netted four goals in their last four
league outings.
West Ham
• West Ham were the first away team to win at the Emirates.
• They have scored only seven Premier League goals in total this season, the
lowest tally in the division along with Wigan.
• The Hammers have managed just one clean sheet in their nine league
matches, a 1-0 victory at home to Tottenham in September.
LEADING GOALSCORERS
Arsenal
Nasri: 7 goals (4 league); Walcott: 6 goals (4 league); Chamakh: 6 goals (3
league)
West Ham
Parker: 4 goals (2 league); Piquionne: 3 goals (2 league)
MATCH OFFICIALS
Referee: Mike Jones
Assistant referees: Dave Bryan & John Flynn
Fourth official: Keith Hill
LAST LEAGUE MATCH LINE-UPS
Arsenal (W3-0 v Man City, a): Fabianski, Sagna, Djourou, Squillaci, Clichy,
Nasri, Fabregas (Walcott 85), Song, Denilson, Arshavin (Rosicky 70), Chamakh
(Bendtner 84). Subs not used: Szczesny, Koscielny, Eboue, Gibbs.
West Ham (L1-2 v Newcastle, h): Green, Jacobsen, da Costa, Upson (Ilunga
53), Gabbidon, Behrami (Barrera 76), Parker, Noble, Obinna, Cole, Piquionne
(McCarthy 67). Subs not used: Stech, Ben-Haim, Boa Morte, Faubert.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Arsenal v West Ham United - Match Preview
KUMB.com
Filed: Friday, 29th October 2010
By: Preview Percy
Preview Percy has only just got home from Wednesday night's extra-time win
over Stoke. Unfortunately, he had his laptop with him so here's his look at
this weekend's visit to Arsenal....
Next up it's a visit to the new library for a 3.00pm kick-off at Arsenal in
a match that isn't being moved for TV for anyone, which means that some of
us will get home on the same day as the match for a change.
Our hosts currently lie in second place at the head (on goal difference) of
the three team group on 17 points, the other two teams being the
Manchesters. The trio are five points behind league leaders Chelsea. Their
last six games in the league have seen them win three (4-1 at home to
Bolton, 2-1 at home to Birmingham and 3-0 at Man City) drawn one (1-1 at
Sunderland) and lost two (3-2 at home to WBA and 2-0 away to Chelsea). Their
most recent run out saw them beat Newcastle 4-0 at SJP on Wednesday night in
the League Cup.
They are, of course, managed by Arsene Wenger who, famously, has a bizarre
medical condition affecting his eyesight. He is able to spot the slightest
infringement on one of his players from the other side of the world whilst
looking the other way whilst having major difficulty in spotting any
offences committed by his own little angels, even when they happen right
under his nose. One of the funniest things seen on tv in recent weeks was
the sight of him having to admit that Jack Wilshere's tackle on Zigic in the
Brirmingham match might just have been, possibly, a foul. Of course he
reverted to type when the subject of Chamakh's dive in the same match was
brought up. Chamakh didn't dive apparently. Wenger's thoughts on Eboue's
scissor tackle on Ridgewell in that match are not recorded but Eboue himself
brushed off criticism by claiming that he "wasn't trying to kill" his
opponent. Well that's all right then.
There has been much debate about the goalkeeping position at the Emirates in
recent months. Fabianski has started the last three league matches with
Almunia having opened the season between the posts before injuring his
elbow. Neither seem to have overly impressed the home support, a view
possibly echoed by the management if Wenger's efforts to sign a replacement
during the last window were anything to go by. Fulham's Schwarzer was
rumoured to be close to moving across town until the Cottagers' own injury
problems put paid to that one - any move would have come too late for them
to have signed a replacement.
Elsewhere in the window there were more outs than ins. The most notable
signings were the aforementioned Chamakh, defender Sebastien Squillaci, who
came in for an "undisclosed" fee, defender Koscielny who came in from
Lorient for £10m (that'll please monsieur Barry Hearn) and Kyle Ebecilio who
came in for a few bob in compensation to his former child slave labourers at
Feyenoord. Arsenal apparently pipped Chelsea for the 16 year-old's
signature. And Dave Whelan as well probably. We ourselves were linked with
Chamakh for a long while during the summer but I was never confident of
signing a player from a French club with Arsenal sniffing around. Call me
suspicious but I have memories of the very dodgy dealings that went on when
they signed Adebayor a while back so when Wenger was also linked with the
Bordeaux striker you kind knew that one way or another he wouldn't be coming
to the Boleyn.
On the injury front, promising full back Kieran Gibbs picked up a knee
injury on Tyneside the other night and will be out for a few weeks. The ever
unsteady Van Persie is going to be out for a few more weeks as he recovers
from an ankle problem. Defender Thomas Vermaelen, who proved capable of
chipping in with useful goals from time to time last season, is also a few
weeks short of fitness in recovery from an achilles problem.
They tend to line up in a sort of 4-2-3-1 formation. This usually involves
Song and Wilshere or Denilson sitting in the two in front of the back four.
Nasri, Fabregas and Arshavin started as the three behind Chamakh against Man
City, though Walcott and Rosicky are other options in that part of the pitch
– indeed both were amongst the subs that got on at Eastlands where they had
the benefit of playing the vast majority of the match against ten men.
Bendtner was a late sub for Chamakh at Man City and started the League Cup
match at Newcastle. He picked up a goal and a rather controversial assist in
the match, his part in Walcott's first consisting of a rather obvious
grid-iron style block on a covering defender. Well obvious to all but the
referee, but as we ourselves have seen Mr Marriner isn't exactly the
sharpest tool in the already blunt selection of items contained in the
refereeing toolbox. Wenger probably didn't see it either.
Ok what of us. Well last week was disappointing in the extreme given the
unbeaten run we were in. The bright start was followed by a spell of putting
our feet up and watching the world go by – with predictable consequences.
The form of messrs Obinna and O'Noble when they came on in midweek was
heartening though. We should have some players back from injury this week.
Upson and Piquionne both missed the Stoke match as a precaution. My spies
suggest that Upson may not make this one, in which case expect Gabbidon to
partner Da Costa with Ben Haim continuing on the left. Jacobsen will alto
return from wherever it is players go when they are cup-tied.
I have a feeling that Mr Grant will tinker with the formation again for this
one. Against Man Utd he tried something that looked like a 4-1-4-1 with
Parker sitting in front of the back four and Cole as the lone ranger up
front. If he goes for something similar again I'd expect Behrami to come in
alongside Noble with, the choice of wide players coming from the pool
containing Obinna, Boa Morte and (who knows) Dyer. I'd prefer Piquionne to
play as the lone striker if that is the way it is going to be. There again
we may all be surprised and he might revert to the standard 4-4-2 that
seemed to be working ok before the Newcastle match.
This is going to be a toughy. The opposition are averaging three per game
and our defence isn't the first back four you'd pick to dent that average at
the moment. Stoke apart, we haven't exactly been prolific in converting
chances up front either and I suspect that chances are likely to be at a
premium. As optimistic as I like to be with these things the best I can see
is a defeat – especially if we sit back and invite them on to us as we did
against the Geordies. I'll plump for a 2-0 reverse that will, unfortunately,
see us stuck on the bottom for at least one more week.
Enjoy the game!
Last season: Lost 0-2 Denilson's opener included a clear handball. We should
have equalised just before the interval when Vermaelen was sent off for
bringing down Franco. Almunia saved Diamanti's penalty from the six-yard
line helped. Wenger had his usual moan at the ref who, after Cole had hit a
post, remembered Wenger's instructions and awarded a dubious late penalty
for handball against Upson. Fabregas scored.
Referee: Mike Jones - bottled a couple of big decisions in our home match
against Sunderland last season. No doubt the opposition boss will be in his
ear all match.
Danger man: Cesc Fabregas - the pick of their squad, though like his
team-mates Nasri and Chamakh he dives far too much for my liking.
Daft fact of the week: - midfielder Peter Storey, who played for their 1971
double winning side, has convictions for running a brothel, car theft,
counterfeiting, smuggling porn videos and disorderly behaviour, his
convictions totalling five years and 8 months of time and £700 in fines. It
is possible that the Arsenal player's record may have been, well, a record
for a professional footballer. However, he still has a bit to go before
catching up with Marlon King in terms of the number of convictions. King's
rap sheet contains wounding, theft, fraudulent use of a vehicle licence,
credit card fraud, obtaining property by deception, criminal damage,
handling stolen cars, assault, assault again, sexual assault and assault
occasioning ABH, giving total convictions of 23 months inside, 6 months
community service and fines of £1,300. Shame that neither player thought of
simply changing his name to Steven Gerrard.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Arsenal v West Ham preview
Gunners seek their 50th home win in a Premier League London derby
By James Dall Last updated: 29th October 2010
SSN
PREDICTIONS
Skysports.com's prediction: Arsenal 3 West Ham 1
SKYBET odds: Arsenal 1/6, Draw 6/1, West Ham 14/1
MATCH FACTS:
West Ham have failed to score in five of their last six Premier League
matches against Arsenal - The Gunners to win 3-0 7/1. BET NOW
West Ham are one of only six teams to win an away league match at the
Emirates Stadium - Carlton Cole to score first for the visitors 12/1. BET
NOW
Arsenal have won more penalties (four) than any other side in the Premier
League this season - Cesc Fabregas is 5/4 to score in 90 minutes on
Saturday.
Bottom-of-the-table West Ham United face a tough test when they travel to
London counterparts Arsenal on Saturday. The pressure has returned to
Hammers manager Avram Grant's shoulders following a poor result last
weekend. West Ham let slip a one-goal lead as they suffered a 2-1 defeat at
home to Newcastle United to leave them at the foot of the division. But the
Hammers did respond during midweek as they advanced to the quarter-finals of
the Carling Cup with a 3-1 win over Stoke. The Gunners head into the 3pm
kick-off off the back of a vital scalp of Manchester City which propelled
them to second. And Arsenal were also in Carling Cup action as they saw off
Newcastle 4-0 in a game that marked starts for previously injured pair Theo
Walcott and Nicklas Bendtner.
Injuries
Abou Diaby (ankle) and Jack Wilshere (suspended) will miss the encounter at
Emirates Stadium versus the Hammers. Long-term sidelined duo Aaron Ramsey
(broke leg) and Robin van Persie (ankle) are both closing in on their
returns, but this weekend's match comes too soon. Centre-back Thomas
Vermaelen continues to be absent with a troublesome Achilles injury while
goalkeeper Manuel Almunia is also out. West Ham defender Matthew Upson is
hopeful of facing his former club Arsenal as he looks to overcome a tight
hamstring. Frederic Piquionne, meanwhile, faces a late fitness test after he
sustained a leg injury against Newcastle. Thomas Hitzlsperger, Jack
Collison, Zavon Hines and Peter Kurucz all remain sidelined.
Possible starting XIs
Arsenal: Fabianski, Sagna, Koscielny, Squillaci, Clichy, Song, Fabregas,
Nasri, Walcott, Chamakh, Arshavin.
West Ham: Green, Jacobsen, Da Costa, Upson, Gabbidon, Behrami, Parker,
Noble, Boa Morte, Obinna, Cole.
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Grant - Fear is good
Hammers boss says team will start to climb
Last updated: 29th October 2010
SSN
West Ham manager Avram Grant has backed his side to conquer their fear and
make a concerted push up the table. The Hammers are currently rock bottom of
the Premier League having only managed six points from nine games so far
this season. They did manage a victory over Stoke in the Carling Cup in
midweek but it is in the league where they really need to start picking up
results. Winger Valon Behrami admitted earlier in the week that some of his
team-mates looked scared when taking to the field after the poor start to
the campaign. But Grant believes that fear can be turned into positives
ahead of the clash with Arsenal at the Emirates on Saturday. "It is good
that Behrami was very honest. Maybe some people are scared," he said. "When
I was in top teams (Chelsea) I saw that they were scared to lose the
semi-final of the Champions League. It is not so negative, it does not need
to affect you on the pitch. If you can do your job on the pitch that is
important. "I don't think any team at the bottom or the top go on to the
pitch thinking they can win without any fear. "We had zero points after four
games. We had reason to feel fear and maybe some did feel it. "It is always
a problem to play against Arsenal at the Emirates. They lost to Chelsea but
dominated 80% of the game, against Manchester City they played very good.
"Arsenal are one of the best in Europe so it is difficult. "But we are
trying to build a winning mentality. You need to have the desire to win
every game."
No pressure
Reports have suggested that the Israeli coach is close to the sack at Upton
Park but Grant has shrugged off claims owners David Gold and David Sullivan
are looking to replace him. He added: "I am focused on my job and even in
this position we are doing the right things. It is not a good situation but
it is only nine games. To judge players and the team we need to wait a bit.
"The owners always say they believe in this vision and I believe in it.
There is no other way for West Ham. "More than 50 per cent of the team in
midweek was under 24. We are doing the right things."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
The only way is up for Hammers boss
Published 15:55 29/10/10 By MirrorFootball
The Mirror
Avram Grant insists his West Ham side can conquer their fear and start
climbing the Barclays Premier League table. Winger Valon Behrami admitted
this week that his team-mates were "a little bit scared" when they took to
the field after having taken just six points from their first nine matches.
But Grant believes the trip across London to take on Arsenal tomorrow
afternoon at the Emirates stadium is the perfect stage to strip out any
psychological problems.
West Ham look like being without captain Matthew Upson, who has not
recovered from the hamstring injury he suffered against Newcastle last
weekend.
But Grant said: "It is good that Behrami was very honest. Maybe some people
are scared. "When I was in top teams (Chelsea) I saw that they were scared
to lose the semi-final of the Champions League. "It is not so negative, it
does not need to affect you on the pitch. If you can do your job on the
pitch that is important. "I don't think any team at the bottom or the top go
on to the pitch thinking they can win without any fear. We had zero points
after four games. We had reason to feel fear and maybe some did feel it. "It
is always a problem to play against Arsenal at the Emirates. They lost to
Chelsea but dominated 80% of the game, against Manchester City they played
very good. Arsenal are one of the best in Europe so it is difficult. "But we
are trying to build a winning mentality. You need to have the desire to win
every game."
Grant, who some reports suggest has just two matches to save his job, said
his side would try to build on the confidence gleaned from an extra-time
Carling Cup win against Stoke in midweek and pleaded to be given time. He
maintained he was under no pressure from owners David Gold and David
Sullivan and would continue trying to bring through the young talent at
Upton Park. Grant said: "I am focused on my job and even in this position we
are doing the right things. It is not a good situation but it is only nine
games. To judge players and the team we need to wait a bit. "The owners
always say they believe in this vision and I believe in it. There is no
other way for West Ham. More than 50% of the team in midweek was under 24.
We are doing the right things."
Striker Frederic Piquionne is a doubt for the Arsenal game after injuring a
leg last week against Newcastle and Grant admits his squad are "tired" after
their midweek exertions. Grant is also looking forward to the game
positively because he is a great admirer of second-placed Arsenal and
manager Arsene Wenger. He said: "I support the football Arsenal are playing,
they are playing wonderfully but in football anything can happen. If you do
not think you can create a surprise you are not real sports people. I have
great respect for them. "But our mentality is better. It is not 100%, you
can't build something in one day but the mentality is good and the football
is good. In the last seven games we have won three and drawn three."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Av I can be West Ham's Wenger
The Sun
By ANDY BAKER
Published: Today
AVRAM GRANT has stunned West Ham fans by declaring - I can do for this club
what Arsene Wenger has done for Arsenal. Wenger is the most successful boss
in Arsenal history after leading them to three Premier League titles, four
FA Cups and the historic 'invincible' season in 2004. He has also
established the Gunners as one of Europe's elite clubs. Grant takes his
rock-bottom Hammers to the Emirates today amid rumours that he is already
living on borrowed time after just nine Premier League games in charge. But
the former Chelsea and Portsmouth manager laughed off suggestions he is set
for the chop and insisted he has a long-term vision for West Ham - just like
Wenger did when he arrived at Arsenal more than 13 years ago. Grant said: "I
speak with Arsene all the time, I've known him for more than 10 years and we
have a good relationship. "We more or less share the same idea. And most of
his ideas we want to do. "He has built a team through the academy into a top
team, this would also be the vision at West Ham. "When I came to English
football, they gave me 10 days. They say I'm going because with me the team
would go down but when you want to build something it takes time. "I spoke
with Arsene Wenger about this and I don't know a lot about his first year at
Arsenal but it was not so easy. "They won the Double and then the league
without defeat but when things didn't go well, like a year ago, he stuck to
his way and this is the only way to get results." Grant only took over at
West Ham in the summer and is already under pressure after just one league
win so far. But the Israeli is adamant he is now ready to kick-start West
Ham's future - even on a shoestring budget. Grant added: "Arsenal always
have a lot of money to buy. Maybe not like Chelsea and others but they
always have £15million and £10m to buy players. "Every club is a little bit
different and I think we need a long-term programme. "Wenger and Alex
Ferguson are good examples of this. Imagine they didn't let them continue
after the first year, the whole history of the clubs are different. "It
won't come in one day and you can't push a button and everything comes
good." Grant insists he is under no pressure from owners David Gold and
David Sullivan and hopes to build on the confidence gleaned from the midweek
Carling Cup win over Stoke. He added: "I am focused on my job and even in
this position we are doing the right things. It is not a good situation but
it is only nine games. To judge players and the team we need to wait a bit.
"The owners always say they believe in this vision and I believe in it.
There is no other way for West Ham. More than 50 per cent of the team
against Stoke in midweek was under 24. We are doing the right things."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Avram Grant: I can make West Ham the new Arsenal... if I'm given the time
By PHIL GRADWELL Last updated at 11:21 PM on 29th October 2010
Daily Mail
West Ham manager Avram Grant thinks he can emulate what Arsene Wenger has
done at Arsenal - if he is given the time. Grant's side are bottom of the
Barclays Premier League and he is under increasing pressure after last
week's 2-1 home defeat to Newcastle. West Ham travel to the Emirates to face
second-placed Arsenal, and their Israeli boss, 55, will look toward the home
dug-out for motivation. Wenger has won three Premier League titles and four
FA Cups in his 14 years in England, with the Frenchman inspiring Grant as he
bids to succeed at Upton Park. He said: 'I don't like to take examples from
other teams but we (Grant and Wenger) share the same ideas. On the football
side, building a team from the Academy, that will be the vision for West Ham
- the same as Arsenal, more or less. 'I spoke with Arsene about this and he
told me a lot about his first year at Arsenal, that it wasn't easy and he
had many difficulties. Of course, you need time. You don't just push a
button and everything becomes good. Any club need to have a vision, a
strategy, when things aren't going well and also when they are going well.
You always have to stick with the person that you have. 'I speak to Arsene
all the time, I have known him for more than 10 years. We have a good
relationship. He is a great man and a great manager and you have to respect
him. 'Also Sir Alex Ferguson struggled in his first year at Manchester
United. There is no other way when you want to build something good and have
the right foundations. 'Imagine if Arsene and Ferguson hadn't been allowed
to carry on after the first year, the history of Arsenal and United would be
different - and we wouldn't have such a difficult game tomorrow.' Grant is
one of the favourites to lose his job with West Ham struggling, but he
insists he does not feel under pressure, especially when he remembers what
he had to put up with at Portsmouth last season. He said: 'I don't read
these things. You can't control opinion, you need to accept it. I'll always
say to players, focus on your jobs. I know what I need to do at West Ham. 'I
don't think anybody in top-flight football has experienced what I did last
year at Portsmouth. It gave me experience, maybe not positive experience. On
the football side it was very difficult.'
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Avram Grant stays calm with West Ham on a knife-edge
When explaining how he appoints the manager of a football club, David Gold,
the West Ham United co-owner, is drawn to the analogy of a marriage.
Telegraph.co.uk
By Jeremy Wilson
Published: 10:30PM BST 29 Oct 2010
"It's like choosing a wife," he says. "There are a lot of beautiful women
around but it's all about having the right chemistry to make it work." Gold
was convinced of his personal chemistry with Avram Grant after just a few
hours of their first date and, having quickly concluded that Gianfranco Zola
was an unsuitable partner, he duly took the plunge.
Almost five months on, and despite a dreadful start to the season that has
seen West Ham win just one league game, Gold remains steadfastly loyal. "To
talk about sacking Avram after just 10 games is utterly ridiculous – he will
be given time," he said on Friday.
Yet in those unspoken private moments, it would be surprising if he does not
sometimes wonder whether he has made a huge mistake.
For someone so outwardly inoffensive and diplomatic, Grant certainly stirs
strong opinions. Is he genuinely a good manager or, after moving into the
shoes of both Jose Mourinho and then Paul Hart from a director of football
position, just ruthlessly well-connected? His record in England is uniquely
difficult to fathom.
He could claim to have brought Chelsea back from the brink and to within
inches of winning the Champions League before inspiring Portsmouth to a most
unlikely FA Cup final. Alternatively, he is a serial loser; the only Chelsea
manager since 2004 to finish a season without silverware and someone who
lacked the charisma to galvanise a squad of players who, according to his
Portsmouth successor Steve Cotterill, were good enough to avoid relegation.
They say the table never lies and one uncomfortable truth for Grant is that
his two most recent clubs have occupied the bottom position in the Premier
League for most of the past year.
Grant, unsurprisingly, dwells on the positives and wryly noted on Friday
that some people had predicted he would lose his job at Chelsea within 10
days. He is also taking encouragement from a recent telephone call with
Arsenal manager Arsène Wenger. "I think it will be easier after the first
year because we will not have the same financial problems," said Grant. "I
spoke with Arsene about this. He told me a lot about his first year at
Arsenal and said it was not so easy. More or less we share the same ideas
about how to build a top team from the academy. "But you need time; it does
not happen in one day. You don't push a button and everything becomes good.
When you want to build something, you need the right foundations." The key
for Wenger, of course, has been having employers with such faith. Can the
same be said of Gold and his fellow co-owner David Sullivan? "The owners
always say they knew we were facing difficulties and they believe in this
vision," said Grant. Results will clearly decide Grant's fate, although both
the balance sheet and the reaction of supporters are also likely to be
instructive. In his favour, Grant would be expensive to sack. His four year
contract was only signed in June and is worth £1.3 million a year. To a
large extent, the credibility of both Gold and Sullivan is also tied in with
his appointment. Yet the ambitious long-term plans for West Ham, notably
using the Olympic Stadium as a new home, were not made with the Championship
in mind. The club's formal proposal has already been submitted to the
Olympic Park Legacy Company, who will draw up a shortlist over the next
fortnight and select their preferred option next year.
Under West Ham's plan, the new capacity would be 60,000 – some 25,000 more
than they can currently accommodate at Upton Park – with an athletics track
retained around the pitch. Their proposal has been fully costed and it is
understood that funding is not dependent upon staying in the Premier League.
"This is about the long term," said a source, "West Ham has been going over
100 years - the intention is to build a base for the next 100 years." West
Ham could expect to raise around £25 million from the sale of Upton Park,
while the support of Newham Council may allow them to take advantage of
prudential borrowing – a cheaper form of credit available to government
organisations.
Gold and Sullivan are also still working to stabilise the dire financial
situation they inherited. "West Ham were in a worse state than Portsmouth,"
said Sullivan. The pair quickly reduced club debts to below £100 million,
but the wage bill must be tackled to allow investment and reverse annual
losses of around £30 million. At West Ham, the reaction of the crowd is also
often pivotal in determining a manager's future. So far, it is individual
players rather than Grant who have been subjected to their wrath, although
tension has been rising. Captain Scott Parker admits that the players are
currently finding home games difficult while Valon Behrami even says that
the team is sometimes "scared". Grant played this down on Friday, arguing
that fear was normal and often healthy. "There's obviously a lack of
confidence at the moment," said Alvin Martin, the former West Ham captain.
"They have got three big home games coming up and they will be pivotal to
where they go this season. Blackpool, West Brom and Birmingham are all
coming to Upton Park." Few would dispute that West Ham's season currently
sits on a knife-edge. The duel financial pressures of the stadium project
and dealing with the inherited debt and running costs make relegation almost
unthinkable. Yet it is a possibility that is coming into view.
In 17 years of the Premier League, West Brom in 2004 have provided the only
exception to the rule that the bottom team at Christmas will be relegated.
Barring a major upset against Arsenalon Saturday, West Ham will find
themselves entering November in that position. Patience might be the
buzzword just now but, for all his public support, the next month would
appear pivotal in deciding whether Gold will be petitioning for divorce.
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