Packed out Reebok

We’ve won once away all season. We’ve earned 6 points away from home.

Bolton have one once at home all season. They’ve earned 6 points at home.

We’ve not beaten them at the Reebok in 10 attempts, having lost the last four…and they are understandably confident that they can get a result. However some facets of the Bolton ‘no-so-faithful‘ are feeling unduly smug about tonight’s encunter (see Oh Good. It’s West Ham Time Again). And, that, is possibly their undoing this evening.

They’re the only club in the entire football league not to have kept a clean sheet once this season.  They also recently lost 2-0 at home to fellow strugglers Blackburn. Equally, it took a very late goal to take our Carling Cup tie to extra time earlier in the season; although we did ultimately capitulate and throw the game away during the remaining 30mins. A 30mins they won’t have tonight.

Our form, yes, is poor but we’ve been scoring goals and frankly Bolton are nothing special. In fact under Megson they’re fast becomming one of the most awful footballing teams in the league…I just hope tonight that Zola doesn’t focus on the fact that we’ve not won there for a while, but actually puts out an attacking side who will aim to score goals. No trying for a smash and grab, Bolton are there for the taking.

Unusually confident for some reason. I’m sure there’s every chance this will come back to bite me – but I’ll happily take that risk.

COYI!

Update: My bad. Not the away end

Here’s a brief round up of today’s team news, followed by a link to my new live Twitter discussion feature (or if that’s what you’ve come here for, then CLICK HERE to get chatting)

West Ham

- Carlton Cole is the latest to be added to our injury list. He won’t be around until sometime into the New Year.
- Upson is out with a hamstring injury, although will be back for the trip to Birmingham
- Behrami has had to have some more surgery on his knee. Although not major and will likely return during before Christmas.
- Noble has recovered from a calf strain but now has a cold
- Jimenez has picked up a ‘muscle problem’, whatever that may be. Even the official site is not sure whether either will be considered today.

- Diamanti has returned to full training
- As has Dyer who also has a couple of reserve games under his belt – scoring a brace in one.

Manchester United

- Jonny Evans, Rio Feridnand and John ‘O Shea all miss out
- Other than that, they have no fresh injury concerns

- Edwin van der Sar returns between the sticks

All things considered….

So odds are not in our favour today – infact you can get 13-2 at PaddyPower for a West Ham win. Great.

However, as I like to remain an optimist, I’m confident that if we get big performances today from the likes of Parker, Franco, Green then we can give this a good shot. Parker has been outstanding so far this year and has been a rock for us in the last couple of games. Franco is proving himself to be an intelligent, passionate striker perfect for alongside Cole. Without Cole however, I’m confident that if you put the pace of Hines alongside him that we can cause some problems amongst a significantly weakened United back line.

I can’t see us keeping a clean sheet and chances are Giggs will probably bag himself one, as he always seems to do against us.

We should see some goals today and if our boys really step up to the plate then we may come away with more than just a pat on the back and a “good effort” from Zola. In fact I think we could really suprise a few people today – particularly, as I say, their backline is weak. If Vidic decides that it will be a walk in the park and Franco and Hines (or whoever) are pumped up for it, then anything can happen.

However…

If we’re not up for it, or decide to do anything other than play with an attacking mentality, then it could very well be am hammering. Unfortunately. But let’s not dwell, three points it is from me.

IRONS!

———–

Twitter users: It’s time to trial my new conversationally based mathday feature! Please click on the Twitter logo below, drop tweet deck (or whatever) for 90mins and make this page the hub of all things West Ham v United (or CLICK HERE to get chatting)

(If you’re not a Twitter user, then you can still click on the logo above to get a feel what people are saying about the game. IRONS)