Norwich Away - A Season Defining Game

This is the big one. No Carroll, but otherwise a strong squad presumably brimming with confidence after the hammering of Fulham. The season could now go one of three ways, and this match is likely to set the tone for everything that is to follow.

Put frankly, Norwich are the sort of team we should be looking to beat if we are to make any sort of mark on the division this season. They are a decent team; nothing more. They have a decent manager; nothing more. They have a few decent players; nothing and no more.

Win this, and the season could map out like Pardew's glorious first year up. With our tails up, believing in itself, this West Ham team could be more than decent. There are so many options going forward, so much potential to create goals, that even a vulnerable back four may not be an obstacle to a top ten finish.

Draw it and you would have to say that the result was par for the course for a team that will struggle but survive; enough perhaps for many West Ham fans but a low bar in my estimation given the astute looking signings made over the summer.

Lose it and all the fears and insecurities will return. I fancy Norwich to be in or around the drop zone over the course of the season so we really must be looking to take something from these sorts of games, given much sterner challenges lie ahead.

No Carroll, but we have Cole, Vaz Te and Maiga. We have Nolan. We have Jarvis. Is Yossi fit? I don't know. We have Noble to pull the strings too. The defence is shaky. To try to eke out a 1-0 would be extremely dangerous. Back this team to score twice against 70% of the opponents in the division and we will win more than we lose. Let's go for it. Let's go for glory!

Come On You Irons!