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Which Hammers team will turn up? - As they face a 'Cup Final' at the Hawthorns!

Following Man City’s 3-1 defeat of WBA, yesterday, the Albion Manager, Pepe Mel, has been talking up the importance of Saturday’s match with the Hammers. And with some justification considering the tight situation at the bottom of the PL. Sunderland, Fulham and Cardiff City are refusing to ‘lay down’ and are fighting for every point. This has left WBA looking nervously over their shoulders, with just a three point advantage over 18th placed Cardiff City.

Mel has stated: ‘Now we have to look forward to Saturday’s game, which is an absolutely vital match. It really is the most important game. It can be the game that can spur us on and give us that life. I hope the stadium will be full and the fans will be with us, they can really help us in this game. The most important thing is to have a positive attitude. This game really is a cup final for us.’

In contrast, West Ham’s seven point advantage is more comfortable, but we can take nothing for granted. We need to win on Saturday and, in all probability, clinch our safety. Everyone will feel more comfortable once we have reached 40 points and this is the game to do it. That will take any pressure off the Spurs match and, hopefully, ensure that there is nothing major riding on the Man City game. The West Ham players have expressed their determination to take the three points on Saturday. Kevin Nolan has confirmed the side’s determination to put the Crystal Palace defeat right against WBA and Stewart Downing has stated that the squad are ‘itching to win and get to 40 points’ on Saturday.

So, it seems that everything is set up for a memorable clash at the Hawthorns. This West Ham team are more than capable of winning the match. If they can handle the partisan atmosphere at the Hawthorns and impose their game on WBA. Its a question of which West Ham will turn up, the one that pulled off disciplined away wins at Cardiff City and Sunderland or the one that fell apart at Norwich City? Will Sam Allardyce go for the win or set up to win a point? His rationale may be that it is more important not to lose on Saturday. However, we all know that is a risky approach and a overly cautious West Ham could be undone by a pumped up WBA.

My view is that we need to take the game to WBA. And it seems that WBA currently have a injury crisis at left-back, with both Ridgewell and McAuley struggling to be fit in time for Saturday. If neither make it, then it could well be that midfielder, Chris Brunt, will play as an auxilliary left-back. That could be good news for Jarvis and Downing, who will surely fancy attacking Brunt down that flank. Yes, we may well need to defend for sustained periods, but we need to get a grip on midfield, attack WBA down the flanks and get good quality balls in to Carroll and/or Carlton Cole. This may also be a match where Joe Cole or Nocerino can play a key role, whether starting or from the bench. Probably the latter if Allardyce pumps for the extra defensive cover provided by Matt Taylor playing in central midfield.

The team owe the fans a winning performance after the abject display against Crystal Palace. They say that they are determined to do it. Lets hope they are as good as their word and the ‘right West Ham’ turn up at the Hawthorns!

SJ. Chandos.

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