Zola is hoping for a repeat of last year's Boxing Day victory over Pompey but one look at the team we fielded that day will reveal why that is very unlikely to happen. The side Zola sent out that day read:
Green - Neil, Davenport, Upson, Ilunga - Behrami, Noble, Parker, Collison - Cole and Bellamy.
Three of the four goals we scored were shared by Cole and Bellyache.
Incredibly, a very similar side had failed to beat Pompey at Upton Park a few weeks earlier, with Cole, Bellyache and Sears all drawing a blank despite starting. Apart from Collins for Downpipe and Sears for Noble, West Ham lined up with the same personnel, although, of course, Zola was still messing around with 4-3-3.
Our home record against Portsmouth is dire and we go into today's game without a recognised striker available apart from an 18 year old kid and an ex Tottenham crock. It is all set up for us to lose unless a hero steps up to the plate. Will Zola risk Behrami? Will he push Diamanti forward? Will Stanislas or Nouble get the nod to play up front? Will Duxbury dare to show his face? Remember, it was around about this time last year that he assured us that players would only leave for footballing reasons. Since then we have lost Bellyache and Ginge, with Upson leading those heading for the exit door in January.
I fear the worst today. Prediction. 0-2. I hope to God I am wrong!
Im with you there HF, we need a hero to step up to the plate.
ReplyDeleteI would like to see Dixon & nouble started up front today with Diamanti & stanislas hitting crosses in all afternoon. played in a 4-4-2.
This is the only way I can see a hero being made today.
I am going to go for 2-1 to the hammers.