Just a reminder that you have until 1.30pm to enter your team into the Predictor League. Even if you haven’t done it for the first two games, come on, have a go!!
There are likely to be three changes to the team which started against Leicester last Saturday. As we all know, Adrian will miss today’s game and also the next two. Despite rumours that Rob Green might be returning in a swap deal with Darren Randolph, that hasn’t happened and Randolph will make his Premier League debut. He will know what responsibility lies on his shoulders and will be very nervous, I should imagine, especially since he conceded 12 goals against Bournemouth in two games last season. I hope the crowd gives him some support.
Reece Oxford apparently has a niggle but even if he didn’t I suspect Pedro Obiang would be selected over him due to his magnificent performance in the second half against Leicester. I’m really looking forward to seeing a lot more of this young man. He made a real impression.
Finally, Mauro Zarate has picked up an injury at just the wrong time. He’s made an impressive start to this season and would have been looking to cement his place in the team, but he reported on twitter earlier in the week that he’d now have to miss the Bournemouth and Liverpool games.
Bournemouth have been very unlucky in their first two games. They lost both by one goal to nil, but could easily have won both. They played well. The worst thing we could do would be to underestimate them. I’m sure we won’t.
Just a personal note. If you’re in Ken’s Cafe between 12.30 and 2pm I’ll be hosting five Americans who have come to see today’s game. One of them is the young nephew of my best friend Daniel Forrester, who I introduced to the delights of Upton Park in 1994. His name is Jake and he has cystic fibrosis. The Make a Wish Foundation have paid for him and his family to come over to England and last Saturday they were hosted by Tottenham. I then got them tickets for Reading v Leeds and Leyton Orient v Stevenage this week. And today Jake and his family are coming to West Ham. He and his father are being hosted by the club and will have have some pictures taken with a couple of players before the match on the pitch. I’m really grateful to the club for arranging this, as I am sure it will be the highlight of his week. Far better than being at White Hart Lane. I hope I can persuade Jake and his Dad to write up their week for the blog next week.
COYI!