Preview vs Liverpool

After an exciting 2-2 against Hull on Monday West Ham face a tough challenge as Liverpool come to Upton Park. Both sides have been inconsistent so far this year, making this match fairly unpredictable, especially after Liverpool lost to Villa last week.

                                  

Match day 5 - vs Liverpool 

KO: 17:30 Saturday 20th September 

Previous season results: (H) L 2-1 (A) L 4-1

Previous lineups

Predicted score 1-2

Team news

West Ham have no new injury concerns with Nolan, Carroll, O'Brien and Jarvis still out. Despite this they will have Jenkinson, Song and Amilfitano available for their home debuts. This will give Big Sam lots of selection headaches with a very strong squad available.

Liverpool have their own injury concerns with Flanagan, Allen and Johnson all out injured. Despite this Skrtel may be fit to make a return. Balotelli is set to start but strike partner Sturridge is doubtful ahead of the trip to London. 

Predictions

This will be an interesting game as both teams have played intense games during the week so it will be interesting to see whether it affects the game. I think this will be all about taking your chances meaning we will need our new stars to really push themselves today. I think we will play well but Liverpool May just knick this 2-1 but I hope not! COYI!!

                               

Post match review vs hull

After an embarrassing defeat to Southampton at home, West Ham had their first game outside London at Fa cup runners up Hull City. Both sides have done well in the transfer window and are looking for a top ten finish.

                           

FT Score 2-2

Goals: Hull (Hernandez, Diame) West Ham (Valencia, Sakho)

A very interesting game no matter who you are, four goals, lots of new signings on display and a great game of football. Despite only getting a point from the game there was some really encouraging  play from both sides with new signings fitting in from the start, most notably with goals from high cost signings Hernandez and Valencia. 

West ham looked a different team to the side that played Southampton with some clear attacking intent from the manager. That's right Big Sam played three strikers!!!! This seemed odd and may have been requested from the board, as before the game Allardyce said that he would never play two strikers upfront, unless he had the best players in the league! Maybe he just has a lot of faith in Valencia and Sakho. Nevertheless a change of formation led to a very positive performance from the Hammers. 

First half 

The game was hectic from the start with lots of pressure from Hull within the first five minutes. West Ham seemed to deal with the pressure and then forced opportunities to break away and hit Hull on the counter. The game seemed end to end but neither side managed a shot on target until the 30th minute. As the hammers looked to be picking up pace a 39th minute opener from new boy Hernandez gave Hull the lead and put fear into hammers fans worldwide. A well placed cross into the box was met by a powerful header well out of reach of Adrian. 1-0 Hull. Just a few minutes later everyone thought it was 2-0 when another great shot from Hernandez crashed against the bar and Jelavic was there to tap in a rebound but he was ruled offside PHEW! West ham continued to attack with Downing, Sahko and Zarate all looking positive but couldn't convert before half time.

Second half

What a start to the second half! Just five minutes after the break Enner Valencia scores one of the goals of the season with a great strike from 25 yards! 1-1 game on! We seemed to be moving better as a team with good chances for Valencia, Sakho and Downing. Despite our efforts a poor throw in the 62nd minute lead to a goal by GUESS WHO! Diame, after leaving the club a week before scores Hulls second 2-1 Hull. Amazingly we hit back instantly when a great move led to a Sahko shot being deflected into the Hull net 2-2! What a game! In the last minute of the game Valencia thought he'd won it when his header from the back post looked a certain goal but Dawson was on the line to chest it onto the bar and over so close but full time!

FT 2-2

                         

Pre match preview vs Hull City!!

Finally the chore of watching England is over with the end of the international break and the return of Premier League football. Since our last performance (if you can call it that!) against Southampton we have also seen the end of the transfer window, one which was a success for both West Ham and Hull. Deadline day was a good day for both teams with West Ham securing the services of former West Brom winger Amalfitano and Hull signing no less than four players on the last day including Ben Arfa, Gaston Ramirez, Abel Hernandez and our own Mo Diame!

This game looks set to be an intriguing one with two very strong squads looking to seal an important three points.

Matchday 4 - Vs Hull City
Kick Off - 8pm Monday 15th September 2014
Previous season results - Premier League (H) W 2-1 (A) L 1-0

Previous Line ups

West Ham                                                  Hull City

   

Predicted score - 1-1

Team news

The international break has given Sam Allardyce and his squad time to recover, meaning that Jenkinson, Jarvis and Carroll have had time to improve their fitness and get closer to first team action with the latter starting light jogging after a foot operation. We also have a return to fitness of Collins who will give the team another central defensive option. New signings Song and Amilfitano are both clear to play.

Steve Bruce will be eager to bring in as many of his deadline day signings as possible although Hernandez has not yet received a work permit and will therefore not be cleared for this fixture. It will be interesting to see if Diame lines up to play his former team mates after claiming to have been "shunted around" the West Ham side and not really given a chance. Chester is back from suspension after his red card but Robertson is doubtful with a calf injury.

Predictions

This is quite an unpredictable fixture as it is hard to predict what teams will come out come 8pm on Monday with so many new signings. It all depends on how fast these players settle and whether the teams are prepared to go for it. I think it will end a 1-1 draw as both teams will be strong defensively but pushing for a win may bring inevitable mistakes at both ends. The introduction of Song could well make the difference so hopefully he will get a hatrick! (YEAH RIGHT!!!) No, but he seems to be a player of genuine quality who should add something new to our team. COYI!!!

The Song Ravel-ution and why Hammers fans can be positive!

After a mixed start to the season, with just three points on the board, what reason do West Ham fans have to be positive? The 1st September signalled the end of a dramatic transfer window all round, with significant introductions of top quality players to the league, including Falcao and Di Maria and Fabregas. It was also one of the most successful transfer windows in West Ham's history with 9 significant signings and only one departure in Diame to Hull City.

                        

This signifies a change in The Hammers strategy with the board clearly having more influence when it comes to player selection. Some might see that as a bad thing but previously Allardyce's purchases have been poor with Maiga at 5 million his biggest failure to date. So far we have seen good signs from Kouyate, Zarate, Poyet and Cresswell. We have also seen positive glimpses from Sakho and Valencia despite needing to adapt to the english game. Big Sam will also be looking forward to the return of Arsenal loanee Carl Jenkinson who will hopefully bring much needed security to our right back position. Wide positions have also been strengthened with last minute signing Amilfitano signing on a three year deal. 

The promise of the Olimpic Stadium also looks to be working in our favour as it was a major factor in us securing the signing of Barcelona and former Arsenal midfielder Alex Song who will surely add  some much needed quality and experience to the side. 

The impact of Song has been seen already in a midweek friendly today against Ipswich Town. Reports claim that Song was instrumental in a 5-1 victory where both he and Ravel Morrison linked up spectacularly to set up Sakho for his second goal in a West Ham shirt. 

After recent performances and troubled personal life Morrison's commitment to the club is definitely under question. Is a new partnership with Song the perfect way to integrate him into the first team? Only time will tell but this performance seems to open up more tactics for Big Sam to utilise. 

It is now up to Allardyce to show us that he has what it takes to turn this squad into an exciting, attacking side. COYI!