Today West Ham welcome Chelsea to the London Stadium for our second London derby on the bounce, hopefully this one will have a better outcome than the last. Ahead of the game, I once again spoke to lifelong Chelsea fan Malcolm Walker, of the prison charity St Giles Trust to ask him his thoughts on the game.
Hi Malcolm, How are you enjoying the return of football? Presumably beating Man City in the League, and getting through to the FA Cup semis, you’re welcoming it?
It’s really odd as I hadn’t really missed it during lockdown as everything changed, I’ve just been doing different things and spending lots of time with the family which is nice. When the first game came on I wasn’t that interested as it seemed a bit false playing in an empty stadium with artificial crowd noise. But inevitably my interest returned quickly as the games came thick and fast and I’m now enjoying it just as much as before, except for the fake crowd!
Last time we spoke, you seemed to be pleased Frank Lampard was given the Chelsea job, how do you think he’s done so far?
Frank has done really well using a mixture of young players and some more experience. He isn’t frightened to put some new blood into the team which is good to see. That faith has been rewarded with some really excellent performances. Obviously that is tempered with times when the lack of experience shows through and the team doesn’t quite gel together, but on the whole a very positive start to his time at Chelsea. He will be helped next season as we have got some early transfers done, that will give the team a lift and a chance to move some of the old guard on.
Are you indifferent to facilitating Liverpool’s title win, or resigned to it?
I think Liverpool won the title long ago it was just a question of time. They have consistently played the best football this year. Our focus was to keep pushing for a top 4 place.
Are Chelsea going to stay in the Champions League spot? Predictions for top 5 places (in case Man City get banned)?
I believe we are on a bit of a hot streak at the moment with lots of confidence in the squad, players coming back from injury and keen to cement their place in the team. I think we will ease past Leicester into 3rd place. You can never discount Man Utd but I think Leicester will just about hold them off for 4th.
West Ham look to be in deep trouble. Do you think they’ll avoid the drop? Predictions for relegation spots?
Yes West Ham are struggling but both Norwich and Villa look poor, Bournemouth are also having a tough time but I think they will rally a bit as will West Ham so I think maybe Watford to go down with Villa and Norwich.
What do you think of David Moyes’ reappointment as West Ham’s manager? is he going to keep us up again this time?
I’m really surprised David Moyes is back, he really didn’t do that well last time but he wasn’t really given a long enough time to really make his mark. I was a fan of his when he was at Everton, he achieved a lot considering the budget he was working with. It all went wrong when he went to Man Utd, where he tried to fill the impossible job of following Fergie. He has really got his work cut out again keeping West Ham up but if anyone can do it then he can.
How will Chelsea line up against us? Players/Line up?
Christiansen and Pusilic are both doubts for the game, Giroud has been favoured up front recently and has done well but Tammy Abraham is waiting in the wings and maybe he will get his chance this time. Kepa seems to have picked his game up between the sticks recently after some transfer rumours so is a likely pick as is Mason Mount who continues to do well.
Presumably you think Chelsea are in with a chance of victory on Wednesday? Prediction for score please?
Always a tight one especially as we still don’t score lots of goals, I’m going with 2-1 to Chelsea.
Well many thanks to Malcolm once again. I’m going to predict a 1 -1 draw. Fingers Crossed! COYI