No doubt you’ve already seen the updated facebook statuses and received the text messages regarding the temporary lofty position of our North London rivals. And they wonder why they are one of the most disliked clubs in the Premier League. To be fair they have started brightly, a narrow victory against a Liverpool team in disarray after the departure of Alonso and a victory at Hull who have not won at home in 2009, so hey, you can understand their excitement.
Whether West Ham benefit from a midweek break will remain to be seen. It may have been nice to keep some momentum going after the fine performance at Wolves, but likewise the lads should be suitably refreshed and ready to rumble for this one. The fitness test will be if we can perform to a high standard against Millwall a couple of days later, but I think Zola should use that game to blood a few youngsters.
As far as the team is concerned, James Tomkins should be back in the reckoning after serving the final game of his suspension. Herita Illunga is expected to be fit, though we will get confirmation of that from the club tomorrow. We don’t know if James Collins will even be at the club with Stoke still hovering, but for now let’s assume that he is. Still, I think the pacier Tomkins should get the nod ahead of Collins as we seek to control an in-form Jermaine Defoe. Apart from that, I’d line up as we did against Wanderers...
Green
Illunga – Tomkins – Upson – Faubert
Collison – Parker – Dyer – Noble
Jiminez
Cole
Bench: Kurucz, Gabbidon, Baked Beans, Spector, Savio, Stanislas and Kovac
Illunga will have to be alert to the runs of Lennon, whereas Faubert and Noble should have less of an issue with Modric as he tends to drift in a bit more. In the middle, Parker and Dyer will need to get the better of tough tackling Palacios.
Interestingly, Spurs keeper Gomes appeared to have damaged his thigh muscle last night, so Spurs could have Cudicini in goal, who has not greatly impressed on his few appearances for them. Ledley King might be back, but Redk*app might start off with Crouch or Pavluychenko to partner Defoe up front, as he is going to have to start rotating to keep his players happy.
Key Player: Noble – one of the local lads who knows what this game means to us, after a good start against Wolves, let’s hope Noble leads the troops for this one
Key Opponent: Former Hammer and blue lights fan Jermain Defoe has been on good form and we’ll need to keep an eye on him
Prediction: A very tough one to call this as Spurs have been a bit of a bogey side ever since they had lasagne for lunch and didn’t qualify for the Champions League and become the big club they have wet dreams about. We will have to be in good form and really want this, but it won’t be easy. I can see spoils being shared in a close 2-2 draw for this one.
Don’t let us down Hammers, come on you Irons!!!!!!!!
Good blog, lets hope we can play 2 upfront if we land Chamakh before Sunday, looking abit more likely after new reports this morning.
Posted by: Bobby | 20/08/2009 at 10:22
It's your cup final, so enjoy.
Posted by: Omario | 20/08/2009 at 10:22
It's going to be another loss in your cup final i'm afraid.... 2-0 Spurs all day long
COYS
Posted by: James Woods | 20/08/2009 at 10:30
a fine win against Wolves, after you slate Spurs for beating Liverpool who then went on to win 4-0 last night you then have the nerve to suggest a win against Wolves, who weren't even in the premiership last year, is a fine result? I don't dislike West Ham, and think under Zola you should do ok, but lets be real, Spurs don't consider you their rivals, Arsenal are, go find yourselves someone else... like Leyton Orient or something ;op Spurs aren't hated, you just like to think they are. Lets hope Sunday is a good game. COYS
Posted by: keepitreal | 20/08/2009 at 10:30
A narrow victory!? It was a comfortable win. Liverpool a team in disarray! When did you write this blog? Get up to date geeza...
...oh, and we're top of the league.
Posted by: Darren | 20/08/2009 at 10:31
tight game but predict 2-0 spurs Defoe & Modric
COYS
Posted by: Essex_yid | 20/08/2009 at 10:36
Oh the sad musings of a Championship side! Another glory filled season awaits after your "fine performance at Wolves" for the Chelsea rejects and their band of 3rd rate players and cockney wideboy supporters!
You and your team are the laughing stock of London and always will be!
Posted by: the_whistle_blows | 20/08/2009 at 10:36
What a load of rubbish. Narrowly beating Liverpool...We out played and classed them.
You Wet Spammers have wet dreams about having the squad, class and fans that Tottenham have.
Posted by: JJ | 20/08/2009 at 10:37
Well ham boy, we will beat you at your little club, we are not your bogey team, simply a lot better than your little yo yo team. That team sheet you predict, I'm trying to work out who they all are!! Did you get them from oxfam in the summer sale? Enjoy watching us kick your isignificant butts at the weekend.
Posted by: Supporter of a good team | 20/08/2009 at 10:41
have West Ham got any fans? where are they?
Posted by: just wondering... | 20/08/2009 at 10:42
They have no fans, just idiots, clearly
Posted by: Supporter of a good team | 20/08/2009 at 10:45
Generally its only west ham that hate spurs. we couldn't really give a toss about you. dont get me wrong, we love beating you all the time but you're more of an irratation than a hated rival. A bit like having an itchy bollock that you cant seem to scratch
Posted by: cupidstunt | 20/08/2009 at 10:45
The funny thing is that the blogger tries to play down spurs' team but his suggested line-up is all in place to counter the guile, power and pace of the their team. Once more, his prediction of 2-2 (at home) is more in hope than belief. We have got you running scared and you would be delighted with a draw at home. Really pathetic stuff.
Posted by: Alan | 20/08/2009 at 10:51
twat
Posted by: Lad | 20/08/2009 at 10:52
If you've not heard of any of our players, then clearly you don't follow the National team, as we have the England goalkeeper, a key centre forward as well one of the key back ups in defence, so I'm guessing you just don't know much about football.
Liverpool beating Stoke does not mean they are suddenly brilliant again. Read any newspaper website and there is an acknowledgment that they look a poorer side without Alonso. 2-1 suggests a narrow victory to me.
Posted by: West Ham Blog | 20/08/2009 at 10:54
Poor show you yo yo team supporters, the response is the sme as it will be at the weekend '0'.
Posted by: Yids | 20/08/2009 at 10:55
We beat West Ham twice in the Premier League last year and with the rejuvenated team we have, we should be able to do it again.
Posted by: JOHN ADAM | 20/08/2009 at 10:57
Actually Alan, our team is no different to the one who faced Wolves, with the exception of Tomkins who would have played had he not been suspended, so it's hardly obsessing about your team, it just happens to be our best line up right now...
Posted by: West Ham Blog | 20/08/2009 at 10:57
Lasagne???
Don't let the spuds LIES fool you too.....It was a virus!!!!
can't believe people still believe that one...someone once said "if you tell a lie often enough, it becomes the truth!"
Posted by: Steve | 20/08/2009 at 11:01
simple.
spurs = big club
wet spam = mug club (everyone knows they have the biggest mugs in football following them)
Posted by: dave top geeza | 20/08/2009 at 11:12
Keep dreaming Spammers! You view this as your cup final you saddo's, but to us you are just the crappest london club in the premier league and always will be with that midget manager of yours!
Posted by: zolaisaknob@hotmail.com | 20/08/2009 at 11:22
Living in Hackney I have to put up with the 'oy, West amm, were gonna f##king do yer' from the spurs fans every day. But then they do it to the Gooners and the Chelski lot. You grow used to it. Seems they do it on the web as well looking at this West Ham blog. But it's been a long couple of years. I am looking to Parker to control Palacios. From what I have seen that guy makes them tick. If that happens maybe just maybe 1.0 Jiminez to score on home debut. Spurs are a good team. There fans tend to be a bit petty.
Posted by: Leon | 20/08/2009 at 11:28
Leon, an action always causes a reaction, I'm sure the people that 'want to do ya' is based on the fact that you acted like a twat, pretty much how you are acting now. Your new signing mr jizz is more likely to score with your missus!!
Posted by: Bob | 20/08/2009 at 11:39
I ask my girlfriend all the time what is it like to be such a mug? I have her views on her shortcomings now for the real consensus, I'd like to ask the same question to every Iron that checks in to this so called blog.
How does it feel? I mean to be a total and complete Mug?
I mean you must know what you all are?
Or are you all in denial like the so called journalist who wrote this crap. England goalkeeper? Back up defense? Forward who? Cole?
You must be avvin a turkish there bones
Posted by: Bullers of the League of Gentlemen and Tottenham Fans | 20/08/2009 at 11:42
Nice on Bob. Well said.
Posted by: Bullers of the League of Gentlemen and Tottenham Fans | 20/08/2009 at 11:44
Pikeys
Posted by: Bullers of the League of Gentlemen and Tottenham Fans | 20/08/2009 at 11:48
Pikey
Posted by: Bullers of the League of Gentlemen and Tottenham Fans | 20/08/2009 at 11:49
I assume your girlfriend is a mug because she has to put with you at the start of every season promising that you will hit the big four? Of course, when you come close and hit fifth, you do the sensible thing and sack the manager!
When did I call myself a journalist? Come on, when? I didn't and never have done. And how is a blog 'so called'? It's designed using blog software and is an interactive forum where 'people' like you can leave their opinions. Hence it's a blog.
If you don't like, believe it or not there are other websites out there, feel free to visit them...
Posted by: West Ham Blog | 20/08/2009 at 11:57
I've nothing against West Ham; you've produced some very good players in Joe Cole, Frank Lampard, both Rio and Anton Ferdinand and Glen Johnson, as well as developing other talent like Jermaine Defoe and now Mark Noble too. I hope Zola can continue to bring through the younger players for you and appreciate that you'll have a reasonable season.
I have to say though it does look like Spurs have your number; they beat you home and away last season and again over in the far east in a pre season friendly when neither side were particularly fit. Without being unkind or provocative, I just don't think WHUFC has anything to really threaten Spurs, which is why i'm leanign towards a Totenham victory. Should be a good game though, full of vigour.
Posted by: Matty K | 20/08/2009 at 11:59
Erm.......Mr West Ham Blog...... You have yet to answer my question and to be frank, she couldn't give a flying feck where we are in the league so no I don't bore her to tears with promises of top 4 finishes. She does however prefer it when we are doing well as my spirits are naturally higher WHEN WE ARE TOP OF THE LEAGUE.
Anyway about that question...............
How does it truly feel?
To be a mug that is............
Posted by: Bullers of the League of Gentlemen and Tottenham Fans | 20/08/2009 at 12:24
Chelsea rejects thats the nuts, do you not realise that it took a proper west ham man like Rednapp to get u lot out the shi*.
Posted by: bradq | 20/08/2009 at 12:32
"Generally its only west ham that hate spurs. we couldn't really give a toss about you. dont get me wrong, we love beating you all the time but you're more of an irratation than a hated rival. A bit like having an itchy bollock that you cant seem to scratch
Posted by: cupidstunt | 20/08/2009 at 10:45"
You say we couldn't really give a toss about you, which is amusing, when considering how many posts from spurs fans have been posted.
Posted by: hammerfan | 20/08/2009 at 12:33