WHUFC.com
All the team news and background information ahead of Easter Monday's match.
08.04.2012
WEST HAM UNITED v BIRMINGHAM CITY
npower CHAMPIONSHIP
MONDAY 9 APRIL 2012
KICK-OFF: 5.20PM
FULL AUDIO AND TEXT COMMENTARY - WEST HAM TV
iPHONE APP I TWITTER I FACEBOOK I PODCAST
Introduction
• West Ham United go into Easter Monday's clash with Birmingham City having
set a new club record for most away wins in a season after a 4-0 victory
over Barnsley on Good Friday.
• Birmingham City travel to east London having beaten Crystal Palace 3-1 at
home on Saturday afternoon. It was their third successive 3-1 win in a four
match unbeaten run for the Blues.
• West Ham currently sit in third place in the npower championship - just
four points behind Reading and top of the table Southampton. Birmingham are
in fourth position, six points behind the Hammers.
• West Ham and Birmingham shared the points when they met at St. Andrews on
Boxing Day. The match finished 1-1 after a goal each for West Ham's Carlton
Cole and Birmingham's David Murphy.
Team News
West Ham United
• The Hammers picked up no new injury concerns following their game on Good
Friday with Barnsley. Guy Demel was brougt off early after his return from
injury and with several key players on the bench, Big Sam could look to
rotate his side.
• Papa Bouba Diop could be in line to start his first game in three months
after coming off the bench against Barnsley.
• Right back Joey O'Brien remains a doubt with a thigh problem so Guy Demel
could keep his place in the starting eleven. Julien Faubert could also be
out after he missed the Barnsley win.
Birmingham
• Birmingham midfielder Keith Fahey returned on Saturday against Palace
after a spell out with a groin injury and will be keen to keep his place.
• Former Hammer Jonathan Spector and Pablo Ibanez are still unfit after time
out with thigh and hamstring injuries.
• Stephen Carr is still out of action with a knee problem.
Last Time Out
Friday 6 April 2012
npower Championship
Barnsley 0-4 West Ham United
West Ham United: Green, Reid, McCartney, Tomkins, Demel (Collins 59), Nolan,
Taylor, Noble (Diop 80), O'Neil (Lansbury 70), Maynard, Vaz Te
Subs not used: Baldock, Cole
Goals: Nolan (7), Maynard (23), Noble (35), Vaz Te (55)
Saturday 7 April 2012
npower Championship
Birmingham City 3-1 Crystal Palace
Birmingham City: Myhill, Murphy, Caldwell, Ramage, Davies, Burke, Townsend,
Mutch, Fahey (N'daw 83), King (Rooney 88), Zigic (Huseklepp 46)
Subs not used: Doyle, Redmond
Goals: Burke (21), Fahey (22), Murphy (32)
Last six meetings
(championship unless stated)
26 December 2011 - Birmingham City 1-1West Ham United
6 February 2011 - West Ham United 0-1 Birmingham City (Premier League)
26 January 2011 - Birmingham City 3-1 West Ham United (League Cup
semi-final)
11 January 2011 West Ham United 2-1 Birmingham City (League Cup semi-final)
6 November 2010 - Birmingham City 2-2 West Ham United (Premier League)
10 February 2010 - West Ham United 2-0 Birmingham City (Premier League)
Overall record v Birmingham City (all competitions) W 32 D 21 L 40
Ten-year league records
West Ham United
2010/11 Premier League 20th (33 points)
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)
Birmingham City
2010/11 Premier League 18th (39 points)
2009/10 Premier League 9th (50 points)
2008/09 Championship 2nd (83 points - promoted to Premier League)
2007/08 Premier League 19th (35 points - relegated to Championship)
2006/07 Championship 2nd (86 points - promoted to Premier League)
2005/06 Premier League 18th (34 points - relegated to Championship)
2004/05 Premier League 12th (45 points)
2003/04 Premier League 10th (50 points)
2002/03 Premier League 13th (48 points)
2001/02 Championship 5th (76 points - promoted to Premier League via
play-offs)
Referee
• Easter Monday's referee will be Mr. Jon Moss.
• Moss has taken charge of the Hammers once this season - overseeing their
2-1 away defeat to Derby County on New Year's Eve.
• Headteacher Moss was promoted to the Select Group of referees in June 2011
and has been officiating in the Premier League this season.
• After progressing through the Northern Counties East League and Northern
Premier League, Moss was promoted to the National Group of assistant
referees in 2003.
• Moss took charge of the 2005 Conference Play-off final between Carlisle
United and Stevenage. He was then promoted to the National Group of referees
in 2005.
• Moss will be assisted by Stephen Bratt and William Smallwood with the
fourth official being Gavin Ward.
Us and Them
• Stratford-born Chris Hughton spent two years as a left-back with West Ham
between 1990 and 1992, making 43 appearances in all competitions including
the 1991 FA Cup semi-final against Nottingham Forest.
• Jonathan Spector signed a two-year deal with Birmingham in August 2011
after his five-year association with the Hammers ended. He made 101 league
appearances for West Ham, scoring two goals.
• Liam Ridgewell started off life in the West Ham United Academy before
moving to Aston Villa in February 2001.
• Among the other players who have represented both clubs are Lee Bowyer,
Alan Curbishley, Jimmy Bloomfield, Kenny Brown, Julian Dicks, Eamonn Dolan,
Harry Hooper, David Kelly, Stan Lazaridis, Mike Newell, Sam Small, Matthew
Upson and Mark Ward.
Up Next
West Ham United will play host to Brighton & Hove Albion on Saturday 14
April with kick off scheduled for 3:00pm. Ticket information for this game
can be found by clicking here.
Birmingham City will welcome Bristol City to St. Andrews on the same day
with kick-off also scheduled for 3:00pm
General Information
• Weather-wise, Easter Monday is set to be mild at 11C but wet with rain
expected all day. There are still tickets remaining for the visit of
Birmingham City with West Ham running their ever-popular Kids for a Quid
Scheme. More information can be found by clicking below.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Olympic Stadium update
WHUFC.com
West Ham United would like to update fans on the latest news on the Olympic
Stadium
08.04.2012
Vice-Chairman Karren Brady has updated fans on the latest West Ham United
bid to be anchor concessionaire at the Olympic Stadium post the 2012 Games.
The club submitted a proposal by the 23 March deadline and now awaits a
decision as to who the successful bidders are. During this period the club
is keen to keep supporters updated with its plans wherever possible. The
Vice-Chairman has spoken of her understanding that some fans may be
frustrated by the confidentiality clauses in place around the process, but
has reassured them that their voices and opinions will be heard at the right
time. "I know there are some West Ham fans who have reservations about the
Olympic Stadium move and who may feel that they are not getting the chance
to share their opinions at this time," Brady said. "I would like to reassure
them that we will be running another extensive period of supporter
consultation when we are able to offer up more information. Should the
club's bid be successful on 21 May it is the Board's clear commitment to
consult widely with our supporters so that together we can be left in no
doubt that a move to the Olympic Stadium will be the right one for the
club."
Speaking on Tuesday, the Vice-Chairman acknowledged that a number of fans
were still against the move. ''I can't blame them to be honest, because they
can't see what we can see. We have been very lucky because we have had a
fantastic Supporters Advisory Board that brings together the various
different mixes of our season ticket holders who have been coming here for
generations. "We brought them all together, they all had to sign NDAs
[Non-disclosure Agreements] and we gave them a presentation and showed them
our vision and said 'This is what we want'. We can't explain that to all of
our supporters yet, we can only explain it to a select few, who we think
give us a very broad range''
The Supporter Advisory Board is made up primarily of Season Ticket holders
who have been put forward by a minimum of five fellow supporters from a wide
cross-section. Following a presentation about the club's vision for the new
stadium to its Olympic Stadium Group on the 23 February, a straw poll was
conducted and no supporters voted against the proposed move. The club also
remains aware of the desire of supporters to hold a poll regarding the
proposed move. The club has been in contact with campaign group WHU's View
and representatives attended a meeting held by the group on Wednesday
evening. As a result, West Ham United has once more contacted the London
Legacy Development Corporation - the body which will now oversee the Olympic
Stadium post 2012 after taking over from the OPLC- requesting the ability to
release further information to enable a supporter poll of some description.
No response has yet been received, but any response is expected to be
consistent with previous requests that restate the constraints of the
confidentiality agreement. Therefore, given the strict agreements in place
that preclude the club from sharing details of its plans for the Stadium,
West Ham can only confirm once more that its bid submitted on 23 March was
conditional on the delivery of a world-class Stadium that will look and feel
like a home for West Ham United and its fans. The Board believe a move to
the Stadium is the best opportunity it will have to improve the club's
long-term stability and fortunes which will, in turn, enable further
investment on the pitch. At the time the club's annual accounts in May of
last year the Joint-Chairmen David Sullivan and David Gold had invested £29m
in the club in the previous 18 months and are predicted to invest in the
region of a further £30m in the current season. They have both confirmed
their long-term commitment to the club repeatedly and through their
continued investment have demonstrated this in a real and tangible way.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Nobby keen to upset old pal Hughton
WHUFC.com
Kevin Nolan is eager to get one over his former Newcastle United manager
Chris Hughton
07.04.2012
Kevin Nolan would love nothing more than to enjoy a happy Easter Monday by
getting one over old pal Chris Hughton. The West Ham United skipper worked
under the Birmingham City manager at Newcastle United, where Hughton made
the No4 captain during a successful 2009/10 that ended with promotion from
the npower Championship. Two years later and both Nolan and Hughton are
targeting the same goal - but with different clubs. "They have done
fantastic," Nolan told West Ham TV. "Chris Hughton has done a great job
there and I'm absolutely delighted for him, to be fair. Chris and Colin
Calderwood were two great coaches who I worked under up at Newcastle and I'm
looking forward to seeing them again. "They were massive for me at
Newcastle. Chris made me captain up there. Obviously I'm delighted to see
what he's doing at Birmingham but hopefully on Monday we'll be sticking one
over him."
While all focus has now shifted to Monday's Kids for a Quid visit of
Birmingham to the Boleyn Ground, Nolan was quick to point to the confidence
boost taken from Saturday's thumping 4-0 win at Barnsley. The captain
himself opened the scoring with his club-leading eleventh goal of the
season, but instead praised centre-backs James Tomkins and the returning
WInston Reid for their rock-solid displays in defence. "I think we needed a
performance and a win after the disappointment of last week [against
Reading]. We got the performance last week and just didn't put them away
when we had them but we let two sloppy goals in. "It was a fantastic
performance at Barnsley. All credit to the lads for the big turnaround. It
always helps when you get the early goal and if you follow it up, it gives
you confidence. I just think the whole team played the way it wanted to. "We
had a great line and the back four were fantastic throughout. Winston Reid
coming back is a massive plus for us and him and Tonks looked solid all the
way through. We played with a high line and that enabled us to get at them.
"As you could see, we worked our socks off to make sure we didn't let
Barnsley play because they can play some lovely stuff and we got our
rewards."
Nolan and his team-mates played a high-tempo pressing game at Oakwell and
got their rewards - most notably when Mark Noble collected a loose pass from
Barnsley goalkeeper David Button before chipping the stopper with an
exquisite effort from outside the penalty area. "We've got to be all
together and make sure we do the right things and make sure that we keep
putting the ball in the net like we did on Saturday. We scored four
fantastic finishes and I must say that mine was the best! I'm absolutely
delighted with the win. "Nobes' goal was fantastic technique but that's
standard for him and we expect it. If he hadn't put it away, he would have
got stick for it all the way home and all week so it's a good job he did put
it in!"
Finally, Nolan has called on the fans to replicate the fantastic atmosphere
they created at Barnsley at the Boleyn Ground come Monday teatime. The 2,500
at Oakwell never stopped singing and, at one stage during the second half,
dancing! A similarly positive atmosphere would be hugely welcome when
fourth-placed Birmingham come to town. "Their support was fantastic. We want
to make them happy. They have supported us in their thousands away from home
this year and they have got their just rewards with our away form. "We've
just got to make sure we can translate that into our home form in the three
games we've got remaining at home. Hopefully, with their support and the way
they have stayed behind us at Barnsley and against Reading, we will get our
rewards with an automatic slot."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Patient Nicky reaps rewards
WHUFC.com
Nicky Maynard was delighted to mark his return to the starting XI with a
fine performance at Barnsley
08.04.2012
Nicky Maynard has patiently waited for his opportunity to become a
match-winner for West Ham United. After bagging on his full debut at
Blackpool on 21 February, the striker went eight appearances without a goal
before ending that run in spectacular fashion at Barnsley on Good Friday.
The January signing from Bristol City was at his best at Oakwell, scoring
with a pinpoint finish to put the Hammers 2-0 up before hitting the crossbar
with a 30-yard rocket and seeing a late strike ruled out for offside.
Maynard's all-round game saw him run the channels and hound the Barnsley
back four and goalkeeper David Button, leading directly to West Ham's third
goal scored by Mark Noble. The 25-year-old said his Good Friday was a sign
that he is settling into life as a West Ham player. "Obviously as a new
person you want to settle in as quickly as possible. All the lads have done
everything possible to make me feel welcome, but it still takes time for
them to get to know me and it's still a learning curve for myself. "Things
clicked on Friday and I was glad to get on the scoresheet and for us to get
the important three points. "I managed to find some space in front of their
defenders, I played it into Nobby and he managed to set me nicely on it. I
got the ball at my feet and I had only one thing in mind and that was to get
my shot off and it went into the back of the net."
After being the first name on the teamsheet at Bristol City, Maynard is now
battling for a starting place with the likes of Carlton Cole, Ricardo Vaz
Te, Sam Baldock and John Carew. While he would clearly love to start every
game, the striker knows manager Sam Allardyce will need to rotate his squad
to keep his players fresh for the npower Championship run-in. "It was
frustrating because obviously every player wants to be playing all the time,
but at the end of the day it's a whole team effort and whatever team the
gaffer picks, everyone will give 100 per cent and if I'm not in there in the
starting XI I'll always be there supporting them. Then, when I do get my
chance, I'll try to take it. "Once I got my chance, it was up to me to take
it. Thankfully I got my goal and worked hard and I've done my best to keep
the jersey."
With Reading and Southampton now both four points ahead of the Hammers with
five games remaining, Maynard and his team-mates know automatic promotion is
not out of the question. However, the forward insisted the Hammers have to
focus on gaining their own victories - starting with the Easter Monday visit
of fourth-placed Birmingham City - before worrying about what the Royals or
Saints are doing. "To be honest with you, we're not worried about the other
two now. We've got five games to go and we've got to win all five. We
believe that if we can do that then we'll get automatic promotion. "We won't
worry about the other two teams, we'll only worry about ourselves and we can
cause problems like we did on Friday. Birmingham are in good form, but
coming off the back of our own win, the lads will be more than confident
that we can come away with three points. "Friday was just what we all needed
and hopefully we can keep doing that for the duration of the season. If we
can put on performances like we did up there, then that'll put us in a good
position."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Open Training Day on Tuesday
WHUFC.com
West Ham United will be hosting a special Open Training Day for fans on
Tuesday 10 April
08.04.2012
Young Hammers fans will get a chance to get up close to their heroes when
West Ham United hold a special Open Training Day for Academy members, Season
Ticket holders and corporate members at the Boleyn Ground on Tuesday 10
April. The event which is free to all the above members, will get to see the
first-team squad put through their paces on the Boleyn Ground pitch by
manager Sam Allardyce and his coaching staff. The session will come the day
after the Kids for a Quid Birmingham City game as the players begin to
prepare for the visit of Brighton and Hove Albion on 14 April. There will be
full coverage on the giant screens with regular stadium PA Jeremy Nicholas
giving some running commentary and the ever-popular Hammerhead and Bubbles
mascots will be on hand to greet young supporters enjoying the Easter School
holidays.
Once training is over, there will be a chance for five lucky Youth Academy
members and Junior Season Ticket holders to show their skills on the pitch
in a penalty shoot-out competition. To be in with a chance to win this
exciting prize, please send your name, address, a contact telephone number
and youth membership/junior season ticket number to
youthacademymemberships@westhamunited.co.uk . The deadline for entries is
5pm on Thursday 5 April.
Fans should then stick around afterwards to see players from the squad take
part in a West Ham United Community Sports Trust multi-sports coaching event
incorporating children from local schools and clubs. The stadium superstore
will also be open from 9am to 5pm for fans to grab Hammers goodies and take
advantage of the in-store sale on the remaining 2011/2012 Macron replica
kits - with adult shirts available from just £25 and juniors £20 - and the
fantastic discounts on end of range trainingwear.
Supporters will be seated in the Alpari West Stand Lower to watch all the
action on the pitch with access via Gate 3 from 10am. Parking will be on a
strictly first-come-first served basis.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Lee looking forward
WHUFC.com
Kenzer Lee is targeting a first professional contract after a fine 2011/12
season
08.04.2012
"It's been a good season. I think I've been consistent and have worked hard
to try to get my pro contract. "I knew when I came back for pre-season that
I had to come back all guns blazing and give everything I have to give.
That's what I have done and it's turned out well."
Beckton-born centre-back Kenzer Lee has enjoyed a fine 2011/12 season - of
that there is no doubt. Familiarity has helped Lee and his team-mates to put
together a strong case for the defence this term. Whereas West Ham teams
might have been considered to be a soft touch in the past, the Hammers have
had a strong and settled back line this season. Lee has forged a fine
partnership with England Under-17 star Leo Chambers, while full-backs Dan
Potts, Jake Young and Frazer Shaw have also caught the eye with their
consistency. The defender also praised the influence of coach Nick Haycock,
who has taken charge of the Under-18s for the first time this season. "We've
linked quite well - myself, Leo, Pottsy or Frazer at left-back and Jake at
right-back. We haven't changed much or been switched out of the team much,
so it's worked really well. "Together, we communicate really well and we're
always covering each other. We're a good team. In front of us, we've got
Jack Powell, Pelly Ruddock and Taylor Miles who cover us well and work hard.
"The coach has worked with us for a long time so he knows us really well. It
wasn't like we had a new manager this year. He knows what we're good at and
what we need to work on and he's pushed each of us and we're still improving
now."
Lee himself believes he has been 'more commanding and better on the ball'
this season, but why? "I'm a lot more confident and I think that comes with
being fit. Last season, I had a lot of injuries, but this year I have been
confident and it's gone on from there."
While Potts has gone on to first-team honours, Chambers has represented
England and Young has a famous older brother in Queens Park Rangers star
Luke, Lee is happy to be the quietly-effective member of the back four.
"They are all well-known for one reason or another, but I don't mind coming
from the back up to the front. There is less pressure, but I like to prove
myself."
While Lee's season has been a success story, the FA Youth Cup has provided
great highs and lows for the defender. A winning goal at Wolverhampton
Wanderers in the third round was followed by a dramatic last-gasp equaliser
and penalty shootout defeat at Chelsea in the last-16. "Wolves was
definitely the best moment of my career. We should have beaten Chelsea and
it's frustrating to see them playing Manchester United at Old Trafford in
the semi-finals because we literally had them beaten - we had to hold out
for 40 seconds and we'd have been through to the quarter-finals. "I thought
we could win the Youth Cup and the league this year, but we've been a bit
unlucky with injuries, really."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Record-Breakers hailed by Brown
WHUFC.com
Ken Brown senior has praised the significance of West Ham United's record
run of away-game wins
07.04.2012
Former Hammer of the Year Ken Brown has praised the current West Ham United
side for beating the club record of most wins away from home in a season.
Brown was a member of the West Ham squad who set the record at eleven games
way back in 1957-58, a season in which they also won promotion back to the
top tier of English football and he has the utmost respect for the current
crop of Hammers for beating that record. The defender, who was ever-present
that season and won Hammer of the Year in 1959, spoke of how confidence
plays such a key part in achieving such a fantastic accolade. "Confidence is
key; you've got to believe you can win away," he said. "It is much harder
today than it was in my day because everything has got quicker. It was not
quite as intense in my day as it is today.
"I don't think the players will take their achievement for granted. The
harder you work the better things go for you and they've got their reward
for going away from home and playing with great confidence."
Manager Sam Allardyce has guided the Hammers to their incredible away record
this season which has seen them pick up all three points at tough venues
such as Cardiff City, Nottingham Forest, Brighton & Hove Albion and
Blackpool. The Hammers have amassed 41 of their total 75 points away from
the Boleyn Ground this season and Brown is hopeful that before the season's
end, West Ham United will go on to extend that run even further. "It is
brilliant that they have broken the record and it is just rewards for their
efforts this season. Although we were proud of our record I would never have
wished that this team wouldn't break it as it means they might not get
promoted. Promotion is the most important thing and if that meant them
beating our record to achieve it, then I'm happy."
Promotion straight back to the top flight is something Ken Brown knows all
about too well having done the same thing during his managerial career. When
Brown was in charge at Norwich in 1980, they won the Milk Cup and got
relegated, however they managed to gain promotion back to the top tier at
the first attempt. "I've been through that as a player and then as a manager
at Norwich. We won the Milk Cup but we got relegated. The lads couldn't
believe it but we kept the same team and we bounced straight back," Brown
said. "You need to have belief in the players and they will respond. We kept
the same team and we bounced back and got promoted."
Since 2000, of the 30 teams relegated from the Premier League, only eight
have managed to bounce straight to the top tier. Brown thinks that the
current West Ham United side under Big Sam still have what it takes to
become the just the ninth team in the what would be eleven years to achieve
such a feat. "I think the guys have worked really well as a team. They've
been functioning as a team and if someone has an off day then they get each
other through it. "That belief needs to come from the top and if they feel
that the manager is going to back them and is with them day in, day out then
they will give it their upmost and hopefully will be rewarded for it."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham v Birmingham
BBC.co.uk
KO 17:20
8 April 2012
Last updated at 11:42
NPOWER CHAMPIONSHIP
Venue: Upton Park Date: Monday 9 April Kick-off: 1720 BST
Coverage: Watch highlights on The Football League Show; listen on BBC Radio
5 live and BBC local radio; text commentary on the BBC Sport website
TEAM NEWS
Papa Bouba Diop could return to West Ham's starting line-up after his first
appearance in three months, following a thigh tear, off the bench at
Barnsley. Right-back Joey O'Brien remains an injury doubt (thigh) so
fit-again Guy Demel should stay in the side.
Birmingham midfielder Keith Fahey (groin) returned against Crystal Palace
and will be keen to keep his place. Jonathan Spector (thigh) and Pablo
Ibanez (hamstring) are unfit. Stephen Carr (knee) is a long-term absentee.
MATCH FACTS
Head-to-head
• Birmingham have won 40, West Ham 32 and 21 of 93 competitive
meetings over 93 years have been drawn.
• West Ham have won one of the last six league games against
Birmingham, who are chasing their third win from those six.
• The first goal in this game will also be the 250th generated in
league matches between these sides.
West Ham United
• West Ham returned to winning ways with an emphatic 4-0 away win over
Barnsley on Friday. They have been beaten in only one of their last 13
Championship games, and remain four points below the top two.
• Sam Allardyce's side have drawn five of a winless last six at Upton
Park, and are chasing their first home league victory since the 2-1 triumph
over Millwall on 4 February.
• Their 67 goals have been shared between 21 different scorers
(excluding own goals).
Birmingham City
• Birmingham have registered 3-1 wins in their last three outings, and
go into their 56th match of the season hoping to complete four successive
league wins for the third time this season.
• They are six points inferior to the third placed Hammers immediately
above them, and are the third highest scorers in the division with 69 goals,
two fewer than Blackpool, and five fewer than Southampton.
• The Blues have picked up only one point in away matches against the
top 10 clubs.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham v Birmingham preview
Last updated: 8th April 2012
SSN
Team news ahead of Easter Monday's Championship clash between West Ham and
Birmingham at Upton Park (kick-off 5.20pm). Papa Bouba Diop could return to
the West Ham starting line-up for the visit of Birmingham. The Senegalese
midfielder has been out for three months with a thigh tear, but returned as
a late substitute in Friday's 4-0 win at Barnsley. Right-back Joey O'Brien
remains an injury doubt after missing out at Oakwell so fit-again Guy Demel
should keep his place. The Hammers suffered no new injuries so the bulk of
the team should be unchanged, although Carlton Cole could be recalled to the
starting line-up after he was rested against the Tykes. Sam Allardyce's side
have not won at home in six attempts and are now four points behind both
leaders Southampton and second-placed Reading.
Birmingham boss Chris Hughton must decide whether to freshen up his side for
the trip to east London.
Hughton will have been impressed with the way in which his team brushed
aside Crystal Palace 3-1 on Saturday, with three goals inside the opening 32
minutes.
But he will be aware of the demands two games in 48 hours will have on his
side, who have already been stretched this season by their Europa League
exploits and an extended FA Cup run. Striker Nikola Zigic was replaced at
half-time at the weekend to keep the Serbian fresh and he is again expected
to partner Marlon King in attack. Midfielder Keith Fahey returned from a
groin problem to bag the second goal against the Eagles and will be keen to
keep his place at Upton Park. The likes of Wade Elliott and Guirane N'Daw
are options for Hughton should he opt to rotate one or two, but Jonathan
Spector (thigh) and Pablo Ibanez (hamstring) are not yet ready while fellow
defender Stephen Carr (knee) is battling to play again before the end of the
season.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Breaking the Cycle of Two Steps Forward, One Step Back!
By S J Chandos 1 day ago
West Ham Till I Die
This West Ham team seems to getting in to a groove, in terms of its playing
style. There was a definite improvement in our play against both
Peterborough and Reading and we built on that progress at Barnsley. There
was no long, speculative, balls through the middle and they played some
lovely passing football, moving the ball quickly, on the floor, and into
space for the forwards. Yes, Barnsley were outclassed, but the encouraging
thing was that West Ham totally dictated play against a team who are all
about work rate and effort. Indeed, it was the Hammers who were pressing the
play high up the pitch and forcing Barnsley in to errors.
Hopefully the penny has dropped for Sam Allardyce. West Ham should indeed,
play football on the floor and he has the players to do it. Nicky Maynard
had his best match in a claret and blue shirt and his presence, in
sprearheading the attack, is quite reassuring. If Maynard is leading the
line, then hopefully they will continue to resist the tactic of playing high
balls forward. Maynard can not thrive using those tactics and needs the ball
played in to space. Vaz Te is mobile and is a continual threat. He certainly
demonstrated his sharpness in converting his goal yesterday. Vaz Te's goal
to games record is outstanding and hopefully he can continue in the same
tack. I also thought that Matty Taylor played his best game since his
returnm from injury. In midfield, Noble was outstanding, once again, and
O'Neill's work rate and pressing play was extremely good. In Nolan we have a
genuine goal scoring midfielder and a strong leader. Significantly, Lansbury
looked energized and used the ball well when he came on and Diop reminded us
all just how dominating he is in midfield with his size and power. At the
back, the re-unification of Tomkins-Reid in central defence was a good move.
Tomkins is our best defender, by a mile, and Reid effortlessly stepped back
in to partner him, looking both controlled and accompished. I feel that fans
have under-estimated just how much we have missed Reid in recent matches. At
full-back, McCartney put in another mighty shift at left flack and was a
constant threat going forward, while Demel eased himself back in to first
team football at right-back.
I sincerely hope that the true wider significance of Friday's result will be
the way in which it saw West Ham play their way back in to form and
self-belief. The key question is whether we can break the cycle of taking
two steps forward (away), only to then take one step back (at home)! We must
now follow up on this victory by beating Birmingham City on Monday. It will
be a very different challenge from that posed by Barnsley. Brum are a good
team and Chris Houghton will set them up to deny us space and hit us on the
counter-attack. Houghton was my choice as Hammers manager, in the summer,
and he has done an excellent job in getting Brum up to 4th place. He has
moulded a good team out of depleted resources and they are likely to give us
a stern test. But I am bargaining that we will rise to the challenge this
time. We will need to be patient, controlled and disciplined, adopting the
same intelligent passing game, in tendem with commitment and a high work
rate. Hopefully our pace, passing and mobility will be too good for Brum and
we will emerge with victory and another three points.
Elsewhere, could that draw with Pompey be the start of a Southampton slide?
While I found Reading's struggle to overcome a 10 man Leeds Utd encouraging.
Yes, they got there in the end, but they are not always necessarily going to
be that fortunate. Who would have thought that Snodgrass would have missed
that outstanding chance in the second half, while McCormack was very
unfortunate with that strike that rattled the post. Hopefully the
forthcoming Saints-Royals fixture, allied to another poor result or two
along the way, will allow us to force our way back in to the automatic
promotion spots. In short, as we all know, we need Southampton and Reading
to make mistakes over the next five matches. For our part, we need to be
ruthless and win our matches so that we do not end up repproaching ourselves
for failing to capitalise on any mistakes, if they occur.
Oh well it is never dull being an Hammers fan. It is likely that it the
promotion issue will go down to the final match of the season. It is now
very much a matter of which team's nerve is going to break. We should not be
in this position, but we are where we are. Out of the three teams, we have
the better players, the greatest experience and the best supporters. Lets
hope and pray that we can make them count.
SJ. Chandos.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Posts
