West Ham United FC v Swansea

Although West Ham remain seven points clear of the relegation zone, boss Sam Allardyce must be concerned by their recent lack of form. The Hammers have quietly gone about collecting just five points from a possible 27, leaving them looking nervously over their shoulders. Opponents Swansea have been enjoying a memorable season and come into this contest on the back of a seven-game unbeaten run in the Premier League.

Michael Laudrup’s men have tasted defeat just once in eight top-flight trips, whilst they have not conceded more than a single goal in nine consecutive away games. Furthermore, a run of four clean sheets in six matches on their travels perfectly illustrates how hard the Swans are to break down. West Ham have been the epitome of inconsistency at Upton Park since the beginning of October, winning three, drawing three and losing three of their nine Premier League fixtures .

Both teams have found the net in each of the Hammers’ previous six top-flight home games and that sequence could well be extended here. Swansea have only netted from open play on their travels, whilst seven of the last nine goals conceded on their own patch by Allardyce’s men have come in this fashion. This is also the way in which the defences of the Welsh side tend to be breached on the road, with West Ham having scored seven of their previous ten at home from open play.


West Ham United FC
Andy Carroll will continue his return from injury when West Ham United host Swansea City in the Premier League on Saturday.

The on-loan Liverpool striker made his first appearance in two months after injury when appearing as a second-half substitute in Wednesday's 3-1 defeat by Fulham.

Manager Sam Allardyce will be without George McCartney (knee) and Daniel Potts (head injury).

Struggling West Ham will also be unable to call on Alou Diarra after the midfielder was loaned to Rennes on transfer deadline day.

Swansea
Star man Michu will have to carry Swansea's striking responsibility at West Ham after Danny Graham was sold to Sunderland on the final day of the transfer window.

Sixteen-goal Michu is therefore Michael Laudrup's main striking option after the club failed to bring in any cover on Thursday.

Capital One Cup finalists Swansea are still without Neil Taylor and Kemy Agustien due to ankle problems.

Facts

• West Ham have kept just one clean sheet in their last 10 Premier League games at Upton Park


• Swansea have drawn five of their last seven league games, winning the other two


• West Ham have put in more crosses than any other Premier League side this season

Shit......do we have to play again so soon :hanging:

Bit nervous about this one seeing as our recent form has been a bit suspect ............ form at home has been better than away but the aint gonna be easy ........ two early goals from us and we are sorted .

We will do well to get anything from this game

Would be so nice to see Carroll find form and slot a hat trick in without damaging himself. I think I'll wake up now .....

The team I want

The team we will play

Tony P wrote:The team we will play

I heard Ginge is on the bench today and even though he has made 3 appualing mistakes ( that I remember ) I think he is a better option than Tomo

Admin wrote:

Tony P wrote:The team we will play

I heard Ginge is on the bench today and even though he has made 3 appualing mistakes ( that I remember ) I think he is a better option than Tomo

Definitely. So would Pogatetz. I want players who get blocks in; who put their heads in where they may get hurt. We get that with Ginge, and from what I remember, from Pogatetz too. Tomkins is a pretty boy who is going backwards in his development IMO

Tony P wrote:

Admin wrote:

Tony P wrote:The team we will play

I heard Ginge is on the bench today and even though he has made 3 appualing mistakes ( that I remember ) I think he is a better option than Tomo

Definitely. So would Pogatetz. I want players who get blocks in; who put their heads in where they may get hurt. We get that with Ginge, and from what I remember, from Pogatetz too. Tomkins is a pretty boy who is going backwards in his development IMO

I would go with Pogatetz, Tomo needs dropping, he is struggling with the basics

Team sheet

Desperately need points.

That says it all really.....We can't even rip a team sheet off the pad clearly

What a boring bloody game!!! Thank god the Rugby is on the TV as well!!

I think Sam needs to take Vaz Te off (permanently) and put Joe Cole on.

Did Swansea even have a shot??? I mean they had 1 free kick in rang but that went about 10 feet wide......For a team that is apparently pleasing to watch if I was their supporters I'm not sure I'd be pleased with no shots!!!

Saying that the only reason we are not winning by 2 or 3 is due to their keeper who is playing pretty well......We are certainly playing better but still think it will be a 0-0 draw

Agree with you Mark , VT just aint working , JC has a lot more determination about him . We have had more chances than the sheep shaggers and on another day we would be at least two nil up . Get Joey on and get some more balls out to Jarvis . Taylor seems to having a bit of a problem playing at LB can see a change coming there as well later on .

COYI

Mark Hammer wrote:I think Sam needs to take Vaz Te off (permanently) and put Joe Cole on.

Agreed......Second half, new legs and tactics.......COYI

Well Joe Cole is on just not for Vaz Te! At least he's on teh left wing though...

Do we actually do ANY shooting practice on the training ground???

That's a bit better! Well done Carroll.

AAANNNNNNNNDYYYYYYYYYYYY!!!!! Get in there! Optimism is great aint it!

'king huge 3 points that

Pleased with the result and pleased it was AC who scored , we soooooooooooooo much needed these 3 pints ...... VT was a bit shite in the first half but seemed to come alive in the second ...... I still think that Jarvis needs more balls and with JC on the other side we have two options plus all the options in midfield ....... more options = more goals . Well done West ham , now lets crack on and get a few more pints on the table