Plimpsole Line On The Claret And Blue Hull

This weekend is truly do or die. I well remember saying, the season we went down, that if we couldn't beat West Brom we would be relegated. We lost at home 1-0 in just the fourth game of the season and, as far as I was concerned, the writing was on the wall from that point forward. The critical defeat in the end was, of course, the 1-0 reverse at Bolton five games before the season ended and even a Trevor Brooking inspired Great Escape was not enough to keep us afloat.

Well if we lose at Hull, that is curtains. Hull are a poor team managed by a dead man walking and, despite their victory over Stoke, are there for the taking. If we can't beat that pile of shite, we don't belong in the Prem.

But how will Zola play it? Will there be echoes of that Bolton defeat, when we waited until we were behind before we looked like we wanted to win? Unfortunately Zola's approach has been to give the opposition a goal or two start before turning to his cavalry. Well, in my opinion, we cannot adopt a negative approach for this game. Cole is back and so is Ilunga. Diamanti must start at the top of a diamond, with Franco paired with Cole, and Hines and Stanislas available if necessary when the opposition defenders tire. Parker, Behrami and Collison pick themselves in midfield and Da Costa has earned the right to partner Upson in the centre of defence. Faubert or Spector at right back? I would go for Spector's extra height personally.

Zola must send out a positive message with his selection and the players should be told to wipe the floor with these toothless tigers! Should we lose, we will be hulled below the water line and the good ship West Ham will sink without trace, with the rats abandoning ship as soon as the January transfer window opens!