West meets East on Wednesday evening at Craven Cottage as the Irons look to put a barren spell of results behind them and get back to winning ways by the Thames.
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That spell has just seen two wins in the last twelve games, the Hammers know that with tricky months to come they must get back to winning ways at a place they have a good record at in the past.
West Ham will want to put last Wednesdays embarrassing 5-1 away defeat at Arsenal behind them and with returning players like Andy Carroll and the possible debut of Emanuel Pogatetz, the Hammers will hope that they can pick up their first away win since Newcastle United in November.
The main thing the travelling claret and blue army will be looking for is, where Mohamed Diame is, if he starts there will be a huge sigh of relief in the away end. More murmurs of his departure have left everyone including Big Sam in a state of confusion.
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Allardyce gave his latest update today on talkSPORT radio saying: “We are fairly confident with what is going on. Whatever Mo says to me today might change in an hour’s time. If Manchester United rings up he won’t want to stay. It could change in a text or a phone call. There is a chance we will lose him but I hope not.”
The Hammers will see this clash as a game that could kick start a run of wins that would secure Premier League survival. Craven Cottage is a place that West Ham likes to go to and Big Sam and his men will hope that fine run continues.
As for Fulham the west end club could well have been facing West Ham for the 2nd time in 5 days had the Hammers held on at Upton Park against Manchester United in the FA Cup. Instead they faced a much more daunting trip to Old Trafford where they were defeated 4-1 by a rampant United side.
Fulham like West Ham got off to a good start to the season but have faltered of late, and the importance of Dimitar Berbatov to their play means they may have become over reliant on the former United star.
I remember a time when he made West Ham centre back James Collins look a right fool at Old Trafford with a stunning turn before squaring to Cristiano Ronaldo to score, here’s hoping he doesn’t have another worldy.
Fulham have won just 6 of their 23 league games this season and find themselves lying in 14th place just 6 points clear of the relegation zone and will see this as a game they must win against a West Ham side that have looked a shadow of the “away day specialists” of last season.
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Team news:
Fulham: New signing Emmanuel Frimpong will hope to be involved following his loan move from Arsenal. But it remains to be seen whether Martin Jol will risk him. Meanwhile for the Cottagers, Mahamadou Diarra, Kerim Frei and Simon Davies are all missing for Wednesday night’s clash.
West Ham: West Ham hope to welcome back Liverpool loanee Andy Carroll back to the squad following his persistent knee injury. New signing Pogatetz goes straight into the squad with defenders James Collins, Danny Potts, George McCartney all missing.
Last five meetings:
- · 04/10/09 West Ham 2 Fulham 2
- · 02/05/10 Fulham 3 West Ham 2
- · 02/10/10 West Ham 1 Fulham 1
- · 26/12/10 Fulham 1 West Ham 3
- · 01/09/12 West Ham 3 Fulham 0
How to get there by tube: The nearest London Underground station is Putney Bridge, which is on the District Line. The ground is about a fifteen minute walk. Turn left out of the station and then immediately turn right into a street called Ranelagh Gardens. As the road bends around to the right you will see the Eight Bells pub on your right. Turn left after the pub to take you up to the main road by Putney Bridge. Cross over to the other side of the main road and proceed up to the bridge and then on reaching the bridge turn right to enter into Bishops Park alongside the Thames. Just proceed through the park (keeping the Thames on your left) and you will reach the ground ahead. (Thanks to Footballgroundguide.com for the info)
Where to drink: Near to the Station the “Eight Bells” pub or “the Crabtree”
Weather Forecast: A calm night with clear skies a refreshing 9oC in the heart of London.
Bowdenwhu predicts: Due to our usual good form there and the fact big Sam gave the players a rocket on Thursday morning… Fulham 1 West Ham 2 and were back to winning ways.
Come on you Irons!
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