After a Boxing Day battering at the hands of Arsenal, Sam Allardyce and his not so merry men will want to get their Christmas schedule back on track with a win over West Bromwich Albion on Saturday.
This clash will, of course, be billed as a ‘must win’ and rightly so after Thursday’s defeat the Hammers dropped to 19th place just a point from being rock bottom.
Allardyce will be starting to feel as if the world is on his shoulders as the pressure on him mounts up; his side just simply haven’t performed in front of goal this season. Thursday’s game only echoed that point further, at 1-0; Matt Jarvis, Joey O’Brien and Carlton Cole had the chance to double the Irons lead. They missed them all and were punished by the in truth dominant Arsenal side.
It is something Allardyce and his coaching staff will want his side to rectify on Saturday. They meet a West Brom side who are led by caretaker manager Keith Downing, after a slide in result saw former Hammers assistant Steve Clarke get the boot in surprising fashion.
One thing Allardyce has received criticism for this season is his constant tinkering with the side and it remains to be seen if he will again on Saturday. With James Collins seemingly set to miss the clash, a change in the back four is a necessity with George McCartney set to step into the centre after impressing in recent weeks there.
Then there is the great goalkeeper debate, stopper Adrain may have made some impressive stops in recent weeks but his error for the first Arsenal goal may mean Allardyce goes with the experience of Jussi Jaaskelainen in this must win encounter.
It would be harsh on the Spaniard who Allardyce threw into the deep end with his three clashes so far in the green of West Ham apart from earlier cup clashes, have been Spurs away, Manchester United away and Arsenal at home, dropping him now would shatter his confidence once and for all.
With Ravel Morrison still potentially missing having picked up a slight groin strain the Hammers will have to rely on Mark Noble and Matthew Jarvis to inject that little bit of flair into West Ham’s play and the Irons will have to play at a similar tempo as they did at the start of the second half against the Gunners to put heavy pressure on the Baggies.
Although, Thursday’s performance was heartening, with the players showing fight and effort right up until 3-1 where their heads dropped slightly. Allardyce will have been pleased with his team’s performance after witnessing poor displays against Sunderland and Manchester United in recent weeks.
Sam Allardyce told WHUFC.com, before Saturday’s game about the importance of this clash.
He said: “Every game is important to us, and it will be the same for West Brom. We have played 18 games and taken 14 points, so we have to get out of the position we are in and not let that gap between games played and points get any bigger.”
For West Brom, this game is simply a must not lose, a point wouldn’t be a bad result for the Baggies as it means the Hammers can’t gain any ground on them, as they’ve faced to tricky trips to London in two days following their impressive 1-1 draw at White Hart Lane on Thursday.
If they could win the game however they will see their Christmas day schedule as a job well done collecting four points from two away games would represent a fantastic return for Downing and his men.
They will aim to attack the weakened West Ham backline with makeshift centre back George McCartney set to deputise for the injured James Collins, the likes of Shane Long, Morgan Amalfitano and Matej Vydra will look to make the most of the unfamiliar centre back pairing.
The Baggies have arguably been better away from home this season, collecting wins at Old Trafford, and very respectable points at Stamford Bridge and White Hart Lane, so they will travel to Upton Park with no fear whatsoever; with the struggling Hammers looking to collect just their third home win of the campaign.
With the club still yet to appoint a new man, Baggies midfielder Zoltan Gera has called on his side to be professional ahead of the clash:
“We don’t need to think about new coaches, we just need to be professional and do our best.” He told the West Brom official site.
It’s a must win game for the Hammers and Big Sam normally steps up when it matters, and with the pressure mounting this is arguably the biggest game in his West Ham career as defeat here will see the fans firmly turn on him at full time.
Team News:
West Ham United: West Ham defender James Collins is unlikely to feature after being forced off with a calf injury in the Boxing Day defeat by Arsenal.
Ravel Morrison is also set to miss out again with a groin injury, while manager Sam Allardyce may recall goalkeeper Jussi Jaaskelainen.
West Brom: West Brom’s Shane Long faces a fitness test on the calf injury that caused him to miss the match with Tottenham. Fellow striker Victor Anichebe is also a doubt with a groin problem.
Travel News: We look okay for a change if you’re travelling from Waterloo. There are also no problems on the Hammersmith and City line so fans travelling from Kings Cross should be fine too. (Blimey!)
Bowdenwhu Predicts: West Ham United 1-1 West Brom (and loud boos at full time, and Malky Mackay to be approached)
Come on You Irons!
Three Points Please!
Should have gone two months ago stop this pain and sack this clown unless maybe you believe in grant can’t happen twice? List of ten available and if can persuade malky to guide us before the others then its a bonus.
consider it a favour you will owe us