[Archived] West Ham United (away - 7th May)

[Roverdale]

Looking at our last 2 performances against their recent performances and their squad I have to say I have more confidence for this fixture than any of our others. If it was at home I genuinely think we'd smash them. Away I'd be unbelievably disappointed with a loss. I think we can put this season to bed with 3 points here. Our defence has looked very solid I can't see them breaking it and I can't see their midfield troubling ours (never thought I'd say that about any team) without Scotty Parker. If we can bag a goal (Olsson or Hoillet) and hopefully a second (Samba or P Jones) then it's sweet sweet survival. If I'm wrong then I can't see me cracking a smile til that final whistle blows against Wolves and we've secured PL status.

[Tyrone Shoelaces]

Can't see Dunny or Hoilett being fit. Looks Like Emmo may be needed at Right back if Salgado doesn't make it. Realistically that leaves Diouff the younger ( who doesn't seem to have the brains to be able to get into the game from wide positions ), Jones J, NZonzi ,Ollson. I'm not considering Pedersen or Andrews for a game of this magnitude. Looks like we may have to play 4-4-2 after all. If Emmo isn't needed at right back we may stilll go the same system and play him wide right instead of young Diouff. Letting the other Dioff go out on loan given the eternal crocks we have in Dunny and that guy I once saw play called Grella seems a bit rash now. I can't see Rochina or Formica being seriously considered for this game either. I'm depressed now, who'd be in Kean's shoes ?

[JAL]

Can't see Dunny or Hoilett being fit. Looks Like Emmo may be needed at Right back if Salgado doesn't make it. Realistically that leaves Diouff the younger ( who doesn't seem to have the brains to be able to get into the game from wide positions ), Jones J, NZonzi ,Ollson. I'm not considering Pedersen or Andrews for a game of this magnitude. Looks like we may have to play 4-4-2 after all. If Emmo isn't needed at right back we may stilll go the same system and play him wide right instead of young Diouff. Letting the other Dioff go out on loan given the eternal crocks we have in Dunny and that guy I once saw play called Grella seems a bit rash now. I can't see Rochina or Formica being seriously considered for this game either. I'm depressed now, who'd be in Kean's shoes ?

Add into this mix the crap strikers we have and you begin to get a true prospective of the game and see just how hard its going to be to get a result.

Kean wins this one then I'll certainly give him some credit providing theres been no mistakes from the officials .

[Lurid Coat]

Parker is supposedly fit for this match, which will make our task much, much harder.

Also, they actually created quite a lot of chances against defences that are better than our back four (Chelsea and City), and they would have bagged a couple in both matches had it not been for Keane's (and Spector/Sears') inability to finish properly.

Demba Ba is a great striker who usually puts away the few chances he gets.

It's extremely important that Parker gets closed down during the entire match, and Samba and P Jones needs to be all over Ba and Keane.

Really nervous about this one, as I feel WHU's two latest results (scorewise) are quite misleading. Pray and hope for at least a point here, can't stand thinking about having to go to Molineux on the last day needing at least a point to stay up.

[jim mk2]

having to go to Molineux on the last day needing at least a point to stay up.

That's the way I read it too.

I'll be at Upton Park and quite frankly I'm dreading it. It's my least favourite ground with my least favourite supporters - a cauldron of hate with 30,000 Cockneys braying for a win over the despised nawvvverners. Last time I was there Rovers fans were put in the lower tier with the vile home support above us and a constant stream of spittle rained down us during the match - thank you very much West Ham officials.

Rovers always play badly at Upton Park in my experience and combined with the tension of the occasion it's going to be 90 minutes of nerve-tingling hell.

West Ham have some decent forwards but if we play like we did at Arsenal, a draw is possible. A repeat of the Everton performance could see us lose 3-0.

[blue_and_white]

Souness just exudes gravitas when he's on Sky, Redknapp was in awe, making a point then saying 'what do you think Graeme?'. 'do you agree Graeme?'

Was he? Maybe Souness has had a quiet word at some point cause the last time I paid attention to Redknapp on Sky he was sat between Souness and Gullit who combined have won 5 European Cups (to Redknapp's 1 League Cup) and he kept rudely interupting and talking loudly over the top of them. Its as if he realises how totally devoid of personality he is so he practically shouts his punditry as animatedly as possible. Total muppet basically, thank god he hasn't followed his dad into management or Venkys might try to hire him.

Dunno why the Spammers think they'll stay up. Ok most of the time they would beat us at home but the way Wigan are playing at the moment they've no chance next game at the DW. Do agree though that we're capable of getting a result there and shouldn't be short on confidence or lack of pressure in comparison to them. Only trouble is I totally agree with TCO about keeping it tight and pressuring them into imploding, and I totally expect Kean to do the exact opposite and try to football our way to victory against what is still a very decent side on paper.

[Oklahoma]

For this game, Rovers have to be very intelligent.

They will start at full speed, this game is vital for them so the first 20 minutes should see us with a more defensive attitude but always trying to counter attack. If we play 4-4-2, the strikers have to hold up the ball well and wait for the team to get forward.

They will get more frustrated and make more errors has the game procedes and we will have to take advantage of one of those mistakes.

If we manage to score first and defend their first reaction, we will have plenty of opportunities to score in counter attack (aka Olsson, if Hoillett doesn't play)

[Muddboy]

What's with all these people reckoning that Scott Parker will win the game for them?

We've got the perfect foil for him: Jermaine Johnson. Just stick JJ on him and old Scotty boy will very quickly realise he's in a battle.

Up the Rovers!

[Uddersfelt Blue]

Who's Jermaine Johnson?

[Mercer]

Feels like there's too much misplaced confidence following our hardly convincing 1-0 win against a depleted and weary Bolton. If we hadn't have won that one, then we would deserve to get relegated.

All the fans' quotes prior to the Bolton match about its importance equally apply to WHAM against us.

Keane simply scores for fun against us and I honestly think that if we come away having avoided defeat by more than 2 goals then we will have done well.

This is, possibly, the most intimidating ground that I have ever been on when a result is needed and the supporters are up for it. Even some of our senior lads will wonder what has hit them.

[magicalmortensleftpeg]

Feels like there's too much misplaced confidence following our hardly convincing 1-0 win against a depleted and weary Bolton. If we hadn't have won that one, then we would deserve to get relegated.

All the fans' quotes prior to the Bolton match about its importance equally apply to WHAM against us.

Keane simply scores for fun against us and I honestly think that if we come away having avoided defeat by more than 2 goals then we will have done well.

This is, possibly, the most intimidating ground that I have ever been on when a result is needed and the supporters are up for it. Even some of our senior lads will wonder what has hit them.

The reason for confidence isn't simply down to the Bolton result. Its placed in the performances against City at home and Arsenal away. If we can keep out Arsenal at the Emirates then we can keep Wham out at Upton Park.

This is their last shot. If they haven't scored in the first 20 they'll get very very nervous. Parker will make a difference clearly but they'll need more than just him. Defensively they're shocking and there is very little pace in the team.

Only concern is our lack of a goalscorer. Our strikers are either out of touch or Jason Roberts. Hoilett being back would be a massive bonus.

I think its clear that we're going to be going into the Wolves game with something riding on it. Our next two fixtures need to ensure that we go to Molineux with as small amount of work to do as possible. A win at Upton Park will do it so I see no reason for not giving it a real go this weekend.

[tashor]

Feels like there's too much misplaced confidence following our hardly convincing 1-0 win against a depleted and weary Bolton. If we hadn't have won that one, then we would deserve to get relegated.

All the fans' quotes prior to the Bolton match about its importance equally apply to WHAM against us.

Keane simply scores for fun against us and I honestly think that if we come away having avoided defeat by more than 2 goals then we will have done well.

This is, possibly, the most intimidating ground that I have ever been on when a result is needed and the supporters are up for it. Even some of our senior lads will wonder what has hit them.

Having "been on" this ground over 30 times I can assure you that IF we go ahead then there will be non more intimidated than the barstewards in claret and blue.................

[Hughesy]

We need to play a disciplined game.....NZonzi & JJ both in midfield please.

Hoilett & Olsson on the wings....sit back, soak up pressure, let the fans get on their backs and then counter with pace.....Mame & Kalinic upfront.

[Presty On Tour]

It's about time the tide turned at Upton Park for us, would go mental for a win.

[rookie2009]

First 10mins in this game will be crucial,we cant afford to start slow like we did v arsenal and man city...

Hopefully Junior will be back and slot in for Emerton here...Jacobsen is a very poor player in my opinion and we can target him in the same way we got a Wheater at the weekend for counter attacks...

Regards the striker,well has anyone got any straws ..

[Mayfield]

any news on who the ref is for the match?

[Seggie]

any news on who the ref is for the match?

Probably the worst, most biased one they have

[Mayfield]

Probably the worst, most biased one they have

No doubt it will be one that Brooking hand picked.... and bribed

[Rover Down Under]

Similarity #2 : Both teams have owners with colourful backgrounds. And both sets of owners have made their money by choking the chicken.

Classic.

A very nervy game from both sides methinks but a narrow win for the 'ammers. The darlings of the FA will be given every decision, dubious free-kick and penalty and we will have to wait till Wolves to decide our fate.

[Clitherover]

Would be very happy with a draw going off all our previous results in this fixture.

I'll go for a 0-0 stalemate assuming Parker is absent from the team.

[alexanders]

What an exciting season this has become. All pumped up for every game now!

[brian nelsen]

What an exciting season this has become. All pumped up for every game now!

There you go. Had BFS still been here, we'd probably be all bored sat in mid table mediocrity, no chance of winning anything, no chance of losing everything. It's exciting innit.

[yoda]

There you go. Had BFS still been here, we'd probably be all bored sat in mid table mediocrity, no chance of winning anything, no chance of losing everything. It's exciting innit.

"exciting"

don't you mean perplexing!

[alexanders]

I dont know what perplexing mean. On one hand I hate this relegation battle, but on the other I love the fact that all the matches are nervewrecking and exciting. Feel free to call me an idiot.

[RoyRover]

West Ham have been a real bogey team for Rovers over the past couple of seasons. I expect this to be a very difficult game for us and would be happy with a draw. West Ham haven't been playing well and have looked weak at the back, but this is a must win game for them and they know that this is a game that they can win against fellow strugglers. Scott Parker will be back, which is a huge bonus for them and in Demba Ba they have a player who can score. If we can get a draw I would be happy enough.