Match Prediction: West Ham United at Villa Park
Thursday, 01 February 07, 06:47 AM · Comments (9)
Like Watford, this is a must win game for us and if we play like we did last night I believe we can do it. However, West Ham have a good manager and we have had a tendency to be the team to allow other teams to find their form again, but I think that is now in the past.
West Ham also find themselves with new owners this season and while I don't know the full story behind their new Chairman I know I was very surprised at the sacking of Alan Pardew, just a few months after he guided his team to one of the best FA Cup finals I can remember.
I also seem to remember the new Chairman publicly backing Pardew just a few days before he got the sack. Charlton have got a good manger in Pardew, but West Ham also now have a good manager and I have no doubt that they'll stay up.
They'll stay up because they're better than a lot of the teams above them and because they'll get the results but with all new managers it takes time to find your stride, which is why I ultimately think we'll win this weekend.
We've got four great signings in and I expect Bardsley, Young and Carew to start this weekend but I think, or I might have read somewhere that Maloney isn't match fit or has an injury.
Smiler didn't have a great game last night and looked, at times, a second or two behind the game. I wouldn't be surprised if he started on the bench this weekend as Berger looked sharp when he came on last night.
With Berger starting it means a more fluid attacking approach with him playing alongside Petrov who looked decent enough last night when he had to play a more defensive midfield role at times.
If Villa are to kick on we need to become a more attacking team and create more chances. We've got strikers that are not afraid of the ball and know where the goal is now. If the chances are presented to them they will take them.
I hope we're not the same team we were under the previous incumbent this weekend and I hope we go out and win playing good football and by taking our chances. Naturally I'm predicting a home win as it's vital but I also think we've got the players to do it now and most certainly the right manager.
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9 Comments · Add yours
I don't care, so long as we win.
Certainly hoping for a villa win!!! going to stick my neck out a little, and go 3-0 to the villains. Carew to get of the mark as well!!!
Up the villa!
Upson scores on his debut and the new Spanish Guy gets another to continue the Villans terrible form. Young proves a point to West Ham but it's not enough to gain a point!
I think we will win this game fairly comfortably. Hopfully we don't leave it a slate as the Watford game (I don't think I can take another game like that)
Im gona go for 2 or 3 nil, if we play like we did against N'Castle (not including the first ten minutes of course) then we should all have cheesey happy grins on our chops come 5 O'clock
Anybody know if its a sell out yet?
you may recall Damien that we have communicated regarding recent villa v hammers matches and whilst I have questioned your optimism previously (and been consequently correct)on this occassion I mostly agree with your preview. I will be there with my two sons (1 villa and 1 hammers)cheering on my side !
Oh and and I am afraid I do not share your views about our fate this season I believe we are 'fizzy' bound once again.
COME ON YOU IRONS !!!!
We should've beaten Newcastle and would've if Harper hadn't been on such great form. I think there is no reason why we shouldn't win this game. If Carew and Young play like they did last night it should be 3 points in the bag.
Up the Villa!
If we play anything near how well we played last night then the 3 points has got to be a certainty. I'll predict a 3-0 win with Carew getting a couple. Chim Chimney Chim Chimney Chim Chim Cheroo who needs Baros when we've got Carew! Come on the boys! UTV
WEST HAM have always lacked a good defence!But now look at what you have got to get through ...UPSON , gabbidon , ferdinand, davenport, collins , neill . not a bad start. (KEPA BLANCO. 2 CARLOS TEVEZ to break his duck 1)Up the ammers.3-0 to the cockney boys
this has draw writen all over it 1-1. villa will go behind a claw it back