I am afraid this will be my last posting on the site for a week. Next Saturday I am in the final selection process to be Tory MP for East Surrey, so I have cleared my diary this week to prepare. So I will leave you in the loving care of S J Chandos.
A lot of us are quite excited by the Burnley match, as it is the first match since our three transfer deadline day signings. Zola has said it is possible all three will feature, although I have my doubts whether any of them are totally match fit. Carlton Cole is scheduled for his first start since we last walloped Burnley 5-3 at home at the end of November. The big question is who will start alongside him. Diamanti has a knee injury and may not start, so the midfield picks itself. The only remaining question is over who plays at left back. Ilunga has travelled with the squad and could replace the improving Jonathan Spector.
The striker lineup rather depends on the formation Zola wants to play. In theory he could play 4-5-1 and start with Cole on his own up front. But if he really wants to see what the new boys can do he will go with 4-4-2. I expect McCarthy to get the nod and start alongside Cole, with a midfield four of Parker, Noble, Behrmai, Collison, with Kovac dropping to the bench.
Green
Tomkins
Upson
Spector
Faubert
Behrami
Parker
Noble
Collison
Cole
McCarthy
I'd love to see Mido get a small run and get a goal (or 2)
I think it will do him the world of good 
But we'll probably see Benni and Carlton start together, which could be an exciting prospect.
3-1 to us!
Zola has to play 4-4-2 today, i know we are away, but as was previously mentioned on the last post, the season starts here!
Cole & Benni up top, give Burnley something to think about.
I'd have your team there Iain, with Mido and Junior to come on with 25 mins to go to refresh the team, and maybe Kovac too once Noble has run his heart out. I really think he could really thrive in the defensive position, allowing Scotty to make runs into the box. Our midfield needs to chip in with some goals to propel us up the league.
i'd take a 2-0, clean sheet, and get back home…
COYI!!!!
If ilan gets a start on Wednesday night ,please Mr Sullivan can we have the music in his video as well, it would be great when he scores !!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I agree with your score Matt ,said the same to my wife this morning..
Just have a feeling!
McCarthy 1 and Cole 1 and then the other 1 for Collison or maybe Mido
if we don’t start with two up top today then I’ll bee
very disappointed! can’t wait to see Cole form a partnership with Benni – I think they’ll get on well!
great team selection, Iain! would love to see that!
good luck with your work next week!
COYI
2-1 is a great bet for us today.
Zola, for the first time this season, has a real selection dilemma. Defence has to remain unchaged with 3 clean sheets in 5. Looks like McCarthy, Midi, Ilan & Dyer are all in squad!
Expect a comfortable win today. Please, Franco, do not start 4-5-1.
Green
Faubert Tomkins Upson Spector
Noble
Collison Parker Behrami
McCarthy Cole
That's the team. Would like to see MIdo and Ilan for 20-30 minutes too.
I agree I think Zola will start with a 442 with cole and Mcathey up front. I would like to see Ilan come on for the last 30 mins to see what he can do.
I am pleased to see a player like Mido saing he only wants to prove a point in PL. It nice he is willing to play for a small wages.!! A excellent role model for other proffessionals!!!!. Well Done MIDO
by the way west win 3-0 all three new forwards to score!!!
……………………………………..Greeen………………………………………………….
Faubert————Tomkins—————-Upson——————-Ilunga
———————————-Parker———————————————–
Nouble————Cole————-Mido————-McCarthy———-Ilan
0-0 draw
ha ha! that made me laugh outloud!
Wish I could share in this sudden waive of optimism! Perhaps its just that, as an older supporter, I am used to being disapointed. Burnley have half decent home record – they have beaten Man U and Everton and drawn Arsenal. Right now I'd take a point
SP I take your point but our season is improving whilst Burnley are in decline. One point is better than nil point but I hope the team are fired up and we take 3 points from Turf Moor. I am also an older supporter and remember Burnley's last stint in the top flight. Ralph Coates??
Anyway 3 points for the mighty Irons today
KH – I mentioned Ralphie last night on the other thread – my forst away game 1971 v Spurs. Won 1-0, Clyde Best.
Yep – That's the starting 11 I'd go with Iain.
Green
Spector (LB), Tomkins (CB), Upson (CB), Faubert (RB)
Behrami (RM), Noble (base of the diamond), Parker (tip of the diamond), Collison (LM)
Cole (CF), McCarthy (CF).
I don't think that the front two should be given specific roles – they should be allowed to find their own space and pull their defence about a bit.
Very excited about how our new attacking line-up is going to fare. Personally I see McCarthy as the perfect foil for CC. I think they might turn in to one of the best striking partnerships in the Prem.
That said I'd like to think that Zola won't forget what Franco has brought to the party and will incorporate him when possible for the rest of the season.
Same as mine, Gav, but I would put Collison at tip with Behrami & parker behind and Nobes at the base.
Thanks for the link on othre thread, btw.
I feel quietly optimistic. I wouldn't be surprised if we won but that will only happen if the right West Ham turns up. We looked nervous last week. Like Stratford Peter I am aware that Burnley have a good home record, but if we play with confidence I fancy our chances. McCarthy has a track record of scoring loads of goals when he arrives at a new club. Love to see him and Cole go at their defence. I can see this being another goal fest.
Yes Paul – we need to be like the team who romped to a 5 – 0 lead v Burnley at home – not like the team who then tried to throw it away!
Am very excited about this one. Burnley have got a good home record but we should hnow have the cutting edge we need to build on our improving defensive record. What I really like is that we should have some theatening options on the bench too. While a draw would be respectable I think we will win 0-2, maybe 1-2. Goals from McCarthy and Mido (off the bench, making him a West Ham hero overnight!). COYI!
Really looking forward to this one. Let's hope it's a 442.
Just been watching a little of football focus. BBC really is a poor relation when compared to Sky. Everything about the BBC's football coverage is sub-standard.
Every week is like a promotion for Liverpool and Arsenal. A tedius interview with Aquilani to go with the interviews with Dirk Kuyt, Gerrard and even Lucas in the last month. Why is it we get absolutely no coverage- apart from the the focus on our finances, but Liverpool get a bloody interview with Aquilani.
Lee Dixon, Martin Keown, Mark Lawrenson, Alan Hansen, Mark Bright, Garth Crooks. Really, does anyone care what these so-called pundits think apart from Arsenal or Liverpool fans?
Their bias is staggering, and I for one am sick of the BBC. I'm sick of us being last on Match of the Day.
We could put 7 past Burnley today and still be given a minute at the fag-end of the program.
Liverpool under Benitez are one of the dullest and most negative of teams to watch in the Premiership, and I for one am hoping they get stuffed today by Everton, just so I can see 'Lawro's' face as he turns apoplectic.
20 teams in this division – anyone would think we are made up of just 3 liverpool arsenal and man utd.
saying that one Upson is on now! shot me down in flames! I still stand by what I said about Liverpool and Arsenal and the elitism that is on the BBC.
"Do you see yourself here at West Ham in the future?"
Upson "That's a difficult one"
Guys and girls, that says it all really doesn't it. I want to keep our best players, and Upson is one of those, but I really believe that you must be totally committed to the team. I think we should get money for him in the summer, whilst we can and seek a good solid replacement. Otherwise Upson will be gone for nothing the following summer.
yeah, couldn’t agree more. he has been so off about the new contract for years. good player but losing his best form, I like him but he does make mistakes and has the pace of an elderly mobility device.
it’s sadly a no brainer for me – sell him as soon as summer begins so we have ample time to get someone else in! someone who WANTS to wear our shirt. comments like that on footy first just make me wish Parker was our captain even more.
I find both BBC and skysports are funny about us. I have to mute them sometimes during live games because andy gray can just be so biased against us.
I'd flog him, in all senses of the word… he has no interest in remaining at west ham, so here's hoping terry gets a hammy before the world cup, upson has a blinder in his place and we get 15 million for him… the sooner we weed out these folk that don't want to be at west ham, the better for me..
That's what I'm hoping. I'm hoping he has a great world cup and we can get at least 12Million for him. YOu think how much that rubbish player Lescott got – £20 million? Joke. Surely Upson would be worth that. He is only 30
Watching Mark Lawrenson play darts now. If anyone is not watching, I'm not making this up.
Insightful entertaining BBC football coverage.
Andy, I think I'd prefer to be out washing the car… we've produced a lot of decent irish sporting folk the last 30 years, be he ain't one of em…
i think zola will give Mido 20mins today.
i think we will grab a 1-0 win today up the hammers
Burnley- Not won in 12 games. Lost every game under Laws.
A home win then
I've got us to win by a couple of goals today – that's if we don't have a negative formation like last week
Iain, sounds like a week that could define both yours and west hams year ahead, so fingers crossed for both…
I like the look of the 11 you picked, but whats intriguing for me today is how zola performs now that he has options. The team and formation all but picked themselves the last few weeks, but now we've options with players, we also have options on formation.
I'm not convinced he'll play an out and out 4-4-2, but I hope he does. Burnley have been good at home, but are in decline (as happens with newly promoted teams) and I think they signalled their intent, or lack of, by appointing Brian Laws as manager…
So for me, we have to go after this one, try get an early goal and see how it plays out. Their already waning confidence will wane even more if we go ahead and start keeping the ball well…
Big test for you this week Iain, even bigger one for Zola…
Exactly. You think about some of the people we would like to hear from.
It's very much the old boys network at the BBC. Harry Redknapp is very much looked upon favourably by them – The sun shines out of Harry's bum, no matter what his record is for splashing the cash around at clubs like West Ham, Southampton and Portsmouth. I seem Bournemouth might not survive another year also.
This is never touched upon of course.
Huge problem. This game isnt broadcasted over here (not on 'our' Setanta'). I was so much looking forward to seeing our new players making their debut.
Does anyone have a STREAM link?
DH – Sopcast always the best bet. Perfect stream most weeks.
Devo can you find the Sopcast Channel?
http://www.footballstreaming.info/streams/todays-…
found this so far, maybe it is of any use for someone else
http://www.footballstreaming.info/streams/todays-…
found this so far, maybe it is of any use for someone else
Hopefully a 4-4-2, a positive formation without the ever unimpressive Kovac. As a few have said would love to see Mido at his best – when he played for the spuds he ripped us to pieces one season, a fit and fired up Mido is a very very good asset! Come on you Irons!
Eeven if we lose this, it will be a game we all need to see later (if we can) on Football First or MOTD (all 2 mins of it lol) just to see how the new boys do!
Really looking forward to it!
Matt. 2 minutes of it? I think you are being a little optimistic
3 points is a must today, after the poor results against Pompy aqnd Blackburn. Lose and we going to struggle upt to the last day of the season and Zola will have run out of excuses. I like Zola but some of tactics lately have been questionable. No excses for not playing two up front today I thinks.
You know what else really gets my blood boiling about Match of the Day.
Why does the BBC think we are more interested in watching 5 minutes of a club's community project work, watching the likes of Robert Huth playing cribbage in an old people's home when we get 2 chuffing minutes of half-hearted coverage at the very end of the Match of the Day coverage.
Just imagine Liverpool being shunted the arse-end of the program in preference for Andy Reid reading out the bingo numbers for a bunch of coffin-dodgers!
Gets my f*cking back up!
Anyone seeing this game – Liverpool v Everton? If anyone thinks this passes for football they are seriously deluded. Neither team has the ability string 3 passes together.
There's more life and entertainment at a Daniel O'Donnell concert than these two teams. Such an indictment of Benitez and his management.
Dreadful players, dreadful football team to watch.
At least we entertain and respect how the game should be played.
Andy
You have clearly never been to a Daniel O'Donnell concert
Any news on the starting line up?
Team
Green, Faubert, Spector, Tompkins, Upson, Parker, Noble, Collison, Behrami, McCarthy, Cole
Subs: Stech, Illunga, Da Costa, Kovac, Stanislas, Ilan, Mido
No complaints from me. . . COYI!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1
Sweet… a team and formation that we all can finally agree on… well done Zola…
2-4 to the irons… !!!!!!!
was just thinking that. TV delay is at 5pm here. Can't wait that long. COYI!!!!!
Green
Faubert upson Tomkins spector
Parker Behrami Noble Collison
Cole McCarthy
Ilan & mido on bench
About Zola leaving all of Cole, Parker and Ilunga on the bench for the last game. I have to say I couldn't agree more. We MUST win today because our next 7 games or so are horrible.
Charlie Nicholas " Big mistake- If you are putting them on the bench, they hsould be fit to start. It was a very strange decision for me"
Thompson "And the other players feed of it. That's what I think. I was really shocked."
Matt Le Tissier "These next three games are huge for West Ham. They have to target 7 points from these next three games, because if they don't, they are in for a serious relegation battle"
Cole & Illunga were not fit. As for Parker he was on for tech purposes only, but did not want to play as also was not fit. Soccer saturday pundits obviously not aware of this.
Very true.
If anyones looking for omens, we're unbeaten in the last 10 meetings against Burnley, and won 8 of them…
Lets keep that run going, COYIIIIIII……..
Brian Laws is no Owen Coyle so should beat them soundly & they will now go down.
Well, Zola has gone for a strong team today. I don't know how fit Ilunga is but I would have started with him instead of the perpetually error-prone Spector. I suppose he keeps his place because of his solid performance against blackburn.
Looks a 442 on paper. A very strong midfield and decent forward line. I fully expect us to get the 3 points today!
Starting line up:
Green
Faubert Tomkins Upson Spector
Behrami Parker Noble Collinson
McCarthy Cole
Ilan and Mido amonst the subs. Diamanti injured in traning on Thursday
Its going to be a difficult game today….one which Burnley think they should win and therefore I would be pleased with a draw.
As I have said before….we bought a lot of strikers which is a good thing but we really lack any kind of creativity in this team.
If we win today it will be because the midfield have run their socks off…
I'm afraid this is a must win game. Have you seen the fixtures coming up.
Away Burnley
Home Birmingham
Home Hull
Away Manutd
Home Bolton
Away Chelsea
Away Arsenal
Out of these 7 fixtures we have 3 away games Man Utd, Chelsea, Arsenal. We MUST win these games because we will probably not get anything from our upcoming away games. Very tough.
Must win today!
Just got in and ready to watch the game today, going to be a very tough game for us, with Diamanti picking up a knock in mid-week it sees him ruled out for this game but good to see Ilan and Mido among the subs with a good striker force of Cole and McCarthy, really need the 3 points today but are going to have to work hard for it, i will take a very scrappy 0-1.
Come On You Irons!!!!!!!
Afternoon guys … no Diamante in the side today … am I missing something …. I do like the line up tho and I firmly believe GFZ'z time has come … 4-4-2 with Ilan and Mido on the bench he is certainly going for it today … I think he knows we will need to score at least twice to take the points today … COYI
With this team we should have more than enough for them today. We have a very solid midfield with huge energy and no little talent. Collison Behrami Parker and Noble all have good techical ability allied to wonderful stamina and work ethic.
With Carlton up front causing them mayhem, and Benni sniffing around for the knock-downs, I think we play well and win quite easily today.
Us to win by 2 or 3 goals after a very uplifting performance. No critic of Zola even if we don't win today as at least he has been positive and gone for it today.
I think today has given us a reality check. I couldn't believe how many of you were saying we would or should win today. Yes we needed to win today but we went 2-0 down against an average team….yes we rallied at the end but thats not good enough.
We are in serious trouble now….this time we don't have Tevez. we still have to play Man Utd, Chelsea, Arsenal, Liverpool and Everton away games we traditionally always lose. that means we realistically have 9 games to gain maximum points making games like Birmingham vital.
Todays result is a bitter blow….i was hopeful but come on guys some of you were saying 2 / 3-0 and you need a reality check.