The Hammers have their first test since the partial takeover last week, and an important one it is too. Fellow strugglers Portsmouth are the hosts, but the Hammers can take heart from our 2-0 victory over Pompey just a few weeks ago. We also have other reasons to be cheerful, with the short term security of the club settled, whilst Pompey are still dealing with issues with wages and the prevention of any strengthening in the transfer window by the Premier League.
I believe it will now be too late to introduce a new signing to the line up tomorrow, even if we got one. I hear the Mccarthy deal is likely to happen shortly, with Blackburn acknowledging our official bid but having an issue with Benni not turning up to training since Thursday. I’m not convinced Beattie will happen, it’s more likely Rovers will pick him up as a replacement for Mccarthy. Beattie would be a good match for the way Allardyce likes to play. Still, let’s hope we can get him soon and can un-leash him against Rovers this Saturday!
Back to tomorrow then and good news that Carlton Cole is set to make the bench with his recovery going well. Franco and Illunga are still out with Parker still struggling a bit with his hamstring. Still, we know what a valuable player Scotty can be, so we may have to start with him. Frank Nouble grew in stature against Villa and another away game may see him grow some more, I’ve every faith in starting him.
Green
Spector – Upson – Tomkins – Faubert
Collison – Behrami – Parker – Noble – Diamanti
Nouble
Bench: Kurucz, Kovac, Stanislas, Da Costa, Daprela, Cole and Jiminez
Pompey picked up a couple of knocks in the Cup on Saturday and also have a couple of lads away for the Africa Nations, so there is no reason not to come back from Fratton Park with a result. I’m predicting a hard fought 1-2 victory for the Hammers with Nouble opening his account and Diamanti popping up with the second. Come on you Irons!!!
WBA fan - We have just signed Frank Nouble on loan - what's he like, is he any good ? We need to score a few more goals - KB, West London
Posted by: Ken Stanford | 08/02/2010 at 13:02