West Ham v Wolves Preview

We've had a number of important games this season, but this one really feels like a must win, as the matches against Burnley and Portsmouth were, and if we can do to Wolves what we did to them, I'll be more than happy.  If other results go our way, this game could see us up to 13th which will be a massive pscyhological boost for the club.

I've not had the chance to post since the Arsenal game.  To be honest, I think it all went to plan!  We saw a few youngsters, played well and can now concenntrate on the league, job done.  Of the youngsters, there were two main ones on show.  Fabio Daprela at left back really impressed me.  He had the confidence to go forward and also covered well at the back.  He is also quite big for a full back which I like to see, it can make it harder for the winger to beat the back with a cross if he has the height.  I would have no hesitation in playing Fabio on Sunday in the place of the injured/out of form Illunga.  Frank Nouble was the name people were possibly more interested in seeing.  Frank is a raw, young talent that will need nurturing.  He has the strength and pace and reminded more of Heksey than of Cole. His was not the most impressive debut but he was up against Champions League quality defending and will learn from the experience.

So, my starting eleven for Sunday (live on Sky) goes like this;

Green

Daprela - Upson - Tomkins - Faubert

Collison - Parker - Kovac - Behrami

Diamanti

Franco

Bench: Kurucz, Stanislas, Noble, Nouble, Da Costa, Spector and Edgars

Have to say Kovac and Faubert have come in for a lost of criticism in the past from myself and other fans, but they were both excellent on Sunday and have shown real improvement.  Diamanti can cuase some havoc floating behing franco who could do with the support.  Not sure if Cole is ready for bench warming as yet, but if he then obviously he gets a place there.

Be good for the lads to really launch the New Year with a good result here, I'm going for a 3-0 win to the Hammers, let's hope we put on a good show.

Come on you Irons!!!

Comments

[Paul]

Hope we win and i hope it dosen't get postponed!!

I'd have Jimenez on the bench over Edgar* though.

[paddytheflea]

3-0?!!
I like your under estimation of Wolves. I hope the management and the players of West Ham feels the same.

Wolves has found their play now and McCarthy has found the players. The right starting eleven. We are much better than when we met you latest. It will be a draw or a Wolves win. One or two goals.

[nathan harrington]

please tell if you watched the arsenal game how can tomkins play rabbit in head lights comes to mind da costa looks good, salami in with parker and dyer or stanilas on wing to let us stretch teams, kovac should battle for right back. daprela good start though

[Greekyid]

Wolves are predictable but difficult to breakdown.They will come at you from the off,trying to score an early goal that they will defend with the most basic of football.
It will not be pretty but the way past them is round their fullbacks, its the key, get an early goal. West Ham must defend set pieces 15/20 metres around the box this is where Wolves are most dangerous as it is the only time their negative play lets them get players forward.
I am not a supporter of either team but love football, hope WH win.

[TBI]

We always play bad against scrappy teams.