Team For Today

Well, here we go, this is the way the season ends, not with a bang but a whimper. All the Champions League places resolved - and West Ham don't figure. All the Europa League places settled - and West Ham don't figure. All the relegation issues settled - and West Ham don't figure. There's just the little matter of who wins the title at stake and the fixtures computer could not have ensured a greater sense of anti climax if it had tried. To win the title, Chelsea have to beat Wigan! This is the Wigan team that shipped 9 at Tottenham and even managed to lose to us after being given a goal start by Spector.

So what can we expect to see from West Ham today? Freed from the shackles of tension, will we see a rampant West Ham, playing Zola's beautiful football? I didn't see much evidence of it when we played at Fulham; I just saw more of the same. Will Zola take a chance and experiment? Could we see what might have been all season, with Zola pushing Faubert forward, playing Spector at right back, Daprela at left back and Diamanti wide on the left? I doubt it. But we should!

I am looking forward to seeing Johnson, Bellamy and Tevez personally; if Mancini picks them. Today could well be a party atmosphere, Bellamy apart. With it looking more and more likely that Bellyache is on his way to Spurs, he could be in for an even more virulent reception than last year.

How many players will be waving farewell at the end? Will Mido show up to thank the fans for their support?

My team would be: Green; Spector, Da Costa, Upson, Daprela; Faubert, Noble, Parker, Diamanti; Franco, Cole

Will that team win? I doubt it but at least it would give us some width and should ensure that we have some fun at the party.

Prediction: West Ham 1 Man City 4.