So it would seem to make sense to go over Sunderland and preview the Villa game in the same post today. For those who have been going to Upton Park in terms of decades rather than years, like myself, they’ll know that the Hammers not knowing how to play against 10 men is not exactly a new phenomenon. I can’t think of an example where the opposition were down to ten and we then proceeded to rip them apart. In fact, I think a player going off is now the worst thing that can happen to us, so if Richard Dunne hauls down Cole as the last defender on Wednesday, I hope you’ll all join me in a chorus of ‘on, on, on, on, on’ and ensure we keep 11 v 11.
It was certainly disappointing to draw at the Stadium of Sh*te, but we also have to admit we would have taken a point at 2.59 on Saturday afternoon. Recoveries are often based on the notion of stop losing first and then start winning. We’ve lost only one in the previous four, and this week we have the perfect opportunity to start the winning cycle.
First up are Aston Villa and an early return to Upton Park for the ginger Maldini in the form of James Collins. I’m sure he will be given a warm welcome until he clears one off the line. I don’t really mind Villa as a team and I usually have time for Martin O’Neill. He is trying to build a team around young, English players and that’s always good to see. They can play decent football but are certainly in the beatable category.
Kovac is suspended, no great loss there, although there is a rumour Parker has to serve an additional ban for his quick red, I don’t see any evidence of this on the Premier League suspended list. Behrami is a slight doubt with a calf niggle, but I’ll assume for now he will play, so...
Green
Illunga – Tomkins – Upson – Spector
Collison – Parker – Behrami – Diamanti
Cole – Franco
Bench: Kurucz, Faubert, Hines, Stanislas, Da Costa, Noble, Jiminez
Mr Franco seems to be settling in quite well and has an eye for where the goal is. I’ve already spoken about Noble and although he played better against Sunderland, I still think he needs a rest. I also think having Diamanti on the pitch if only for his set pieces is crucial. Sky have called it the ‘Set Piece League’ as that is where goals are coming from this season, and Diamanti’s delivery of these is superb.
Key Player: Collison is getting back to some top form and can be a driving force for the win
Key opponent – He was so nearly a Hammmer, but Ashley Young will have to be marshalled carefully
Prediction – I’ve bottled it a bit the past couple of weeks, but I am feeling good about this one, so 3-1 to the Hammers with a floodlit atmosphere giving the Hammers a lift. Come on you Irons!
Agree with my prediction? Sky Bet will give you 25/1 for a 3-1 victory, click below for a free bet and make it a double celebration!
We HAVE TO WIN no two ways about it. This is a game in hand.
Posted by: TBI | 04/11/2009 at 15:46
Not sure about this one as I think villa will push us all the way for a place in the top 6. So I'm hoping for a draw with villa equalising in the 96th minute.
Posted by: thfc1882 | 04/11/2009 at 18:05
From memory you gave Charlton a good stuffing in August 2006 when you came back from being a goal down to win 3-1 after Djimi Traore was dismissed in the 26th-minute after collecting two bookings in quick succession.
Posted by: Kings Hill Addick | 07/11/2009 at 13:00