West Ham United V Reading

Another chat forum that won't let me in so there won't be any 20 questions this week either peeps.
Would love to be at this one , have the chance of a ticket but checked flights last night , 200 squids , fcuk that . It's on the idiot box over here so that will have to do .

Reading ready for West Ham United showdown


Reading will rely on a carefully-formulated game plan when they travel to West Ham for a match which could decide which of the two Championship clubs wins automatic promotion.

After beating the Hammers 3-0 earlier this season, the Royals are relishing the prospect of Saturday's showdown.

"We know what we have to do and we'll go there full of confidence," said Reading striker Noel Hunt.

"It's a big game, but the more people we play in front of the better."

Reading have had a week of training to prepare for the match, while West Ham had to play a re-arranged fixture at Peterborough on Tuesday.

The Hammers won 2-0 at London Road to close to within a point of Reading, but while he was pleased with the performance, West Ham manager Sam Allardyce admitted his concern about what it might mean for Saturday's fixture.

"If we'd drawn or lost against Peterborough we couldn't have gone into the match against Reading knowing we could catch them, which was a big motivation," said Allardyce.

"But my concern is the fact Reading are not playing this week, and we put so much effort into Burnley away and then Peterborough away, then we have to be ready to do whatever we need to do physically to make sure we have enough ability to beat Reading.

"If we tire a little bit towards the end I want us to be in front, because we will tire a little bit more than them because we played in midweek and they didn't."

Hunt said Reading were looking forward to playing in front of the 30,000 crowd, including 3,000 Reading supporters, expected to pack the Boleyn Ground.

Use accessible player and disable flyout menus"Our last couple of performances [in front of big crowds at the Madjeski Stadium] have been full of energy from start to finish, so the more are crammed in and the more we take to away games is massive for us," said the Irishman.

"They've had a lot of draws recently and we know what we have to do, we've worked on our game plan, and we go there full of confidence."

Both Hunt and midfielder Jem Karacan said the Royals would be boosted by memories of beating West Ham 3-0 in a feisty encounter at the Madjeski earlier in December.

"They have some great players, but looking back on that game Mikele Leigertwood was brilliant," said Karacan. "The main thing is to keep doing what we've been doing and pick up the three points."




•Reading have won 9 and drawn one of their last 11 Championship matches
•West Ham have won 3 of their last 11 and drawn six

The fans can win this for us.. I hope they realise that, because after 40 minutes it will be 0-0 and then we still need the fans' support.

•Reading have won 9 and drawn one of their last 11 Championship matches

well it is about time the finguck wankers lost then aint it
3 pints to the Irons

Just been over to their Chat , still cant get on there but had a read of some of their freds , obnoxious bunch of wankers . I hope we crush them

This one pissed me awf [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]

Not very nice these Reading people.
Don’t they know we are very delicate types in East London.

I don't mind that, that's light hearted joviality. What do we expect opposing fans to be like, all wishing they supported West Ham?? That whole Kebe/Collison thing was a total farce anyhow-JC was way off on that one-if he done it now after the shit season he has had he would not be defended as quickly!!!

Chucking anything on the pitch is wrong though, even soft sockie-wocks. I don't mind I will be far away catching Charlie Ham's cheese rolls.

Big Fat Sam on the game

Sam Allardyce says his West Ham United squad are ready for the 'big' game with second-placed Reading at the Boleyn Ground on Saturday.

Speaking at his weekly pre-match press conference, the West Ham United manager explained that the squad are 'in a positive frame of mind' ahead of the game that could see them leapfrog their visitors back into second place in the npower Championship table. There was good news on the injury-front with Abdoulaye Faye's injury not as serious as first thought and Winston Reid back in the running for first-team football.

Would you have taken this position if people had offered you it at the beginning of the season?

SA: Absolutely, yes. We've made massive strides this season. Even though there's been something of a recent lull it's been a fantastic season. We've not won as many of the easy games as we should have done but the bottom line is it's been a fantastic season up to now. 2012 has only brought one defeat. We're on a great run of eleven undefeated. The overall picture is it's a really good season, we're looking forward to Saturday's game in a positive frame of mind and looking to extend our unbeaten run.

We all know how big the game is. If we win we go back into second spot and if we don't it's not over and there are still a few games and a few points to play for. We can win all of the games so it's not the be all and end all. If we don't and we end up drawing then we're still only a point behind Reading going into the last eight games with a very good record and an undefeated run.

What are your thoughts on the club's form?

SA: We're not winning as many as we like at home. But we've just equalled a club record for most away wins and we're likely to beat it. We're performing away from home and if we get the winning steak back at home then we'll be OK.

There's nothing to be negative about. We've not won some of the games but that happens in football. If we'd lost five on the trot then fair enough but we've only drawn five on the trot.

No matter how well you're doing not everyone will be behind you. The game is about opinions and everyone is entitled to theirs. You've got to accept theirs and keep on doing what you know is right.

Some people have said the second half against Peterborough was some of the best football West Ham have played this season?

SA: It was a great to finally see the opposition off. When we started the game, Peterborough were kicking off in front of a full house and they made life difficult for us in the first 25 minutes. When we were tied they didn't have the legs to wear us down. We then took control of the game and did what we had to do. We played much better at Burnley than that but our analysis of the game has always been very positive in terms of what we've done against the opposition. The one thing we haven't done is score more goals than them in some games.

Reading tickets

Do you think that with Southampton clear at the top you are now playing for second with Reading?

SA: Well I think it's difficult but it's not mathematically dead so never say never. If we're to catch them we'd have to win every game and that's a possibility with the squad we've got but that might still not be enough.

It's about us winning and whenever that win comes around, you look at Southampton's results and if they have won then you just move on towards your on total.

Could anyone else kick on from below?

SA: You never know. At this time of the season the anxiety takes over and people can't quite achieve what they'd like to and everyone gets a bit more nervous.

What's the latest on Abdoulaye Faye?

SA: It's better news than we thought. He had a big lump on his forehead and the doctor feared it may have caused more trauma than we first expected, but on X-ray it showed only a mild injury and an outer swelling and nothing too serious so it's a minor injury. Friday morning will give an indication of whether he feels good enough to be selected on Saturday.

Saturday afternoon's referee will be Chris Foy. Last game was at Cardiffy , no yellows and no reds . Hes dished out 62 yellows and 5 reds so far this season .

Opinions peeps ?

We won at Cardiff with him.
Full crew going tomorrow and I expect a win.

I think he has a soft spot for us , but lets keep that to ourselves until 18:00 on Saturday

Possible links for the game today Liveonlinefooty and flashsportstreams . Its on the box over here today TV4 Sport for any Scandy fans . I,ll post more info when I get it .

Love your Match Fred post Jiggs

Cheers Tone.

Great you can watch....listening to comms would be even more nerve wracking for a game like this.

I won't temp fate and say enjoy. In any case we won't know if we have until full time.

Laters dude x

Team News

West Ham United

• Sam Allardyce could welcome Winston Reid (head), Guy Demel (thigh) and Papa Bouba Diop (hamstring) back into his matchday squad. All have been in full training with the first-team squad this week.

• Abdoulaye Faye is facing a race to be fit after receiving a nasty blow to the head during Tuesday's win at Peterborough United.

• Joey O'Brien was also withdraw at half-time at London Road with a tight calf and may miss out. Should the Irishman not be fit, he could be replaced by Julien Faubert, who was hugely impressive on his own return from injury in midweek.


Good to see we are getting some of our players back from injury , I have a feeling we are going to need them

Sam Allardyce has spoken of his desire to make sure his team hit the ground running in their crunch match against Reading on Saturday afternoon.

With just a point separating the two sides in the npower Championship, a win on Saturday would see the Hammers leapfrog Reading into second place and put them back on track for automatic promotion.

Manager Allardyce is demanding his team start the game on the front foot. With tickets available at the day at the Boleyn Ground, there is still time to ensure you are there to cheer the Hammers on. To do so, click the link at the bottom of the page.

"We need to score the first goal, I believe, and get ourselves in front," said Big Sam. "If we get the early goal it will settle everyone down. A good start will see the crowd get behind us and then we can build momentum and hopefully go on to win the game."

At Peterborough United on Tuesday, the Hammers had 24 attempts at goal with ten on target; Allardyce is expecting more clinical finishing against the Royals. However, Big Sam is also aware of the threat Reading will pose when they visit east London.

"We need to become clinical in our finishing. We always create chances here and now it's just a question of taking them when they arrive.

"We have to be patient on Saturday. Reading won't make it easy. I'm not sure what type of game they will play. Maybe they will be full of confidence and take the game to us or they might decide to wait patiently and make life difficult for us.

"Either way there will be chances for us in the match and we must make sure we take them."

With only seven games left to go this season, the pressure is on to secure promotion back to the Premier League. The manager expects the players to use this pressure to their advantage and claim an important victory.

"We have to handle the pressure and make sure we can do our job properly and get the win we need. The players have to deliver their best on Saturday and make the pressure they are under w**k in their favour."


Where have we heard that before , its alright getting the 1st goal , the problem is trying to defend that lead instead of going for the jugular

Right dudes
Im off down the Camrose
hope to get back to 3 pints

Team news is in! One change for the Hammers, with Julien Faubert replacing the injured Joey O'Brien. Reading welcome back Jason Roberts from a hamstring injury.

West Ham United: Green, Faubert, Tomkins, Faye, McCartney, Noble, O'Neil, Nolan, Vaz Te, Taylor, Cole
Subs: Collins, Lansbury, Carew, Baldock, Maynard

Reading: Federici, Cummings, Pearce, Gorkss, Harte, Karacan, Leigertwood, McAnuff, Hunt, Roberts
Subs: McCarthy, Tabb, Robson-Kanu, Church, Afobe

Admin wrote:Team news is in! One change for the Hammers, with Julien Faubert replacing the injured Joey O'Brien. Reading welcome back Jason Roberts from a hamstring injury.

West Ham United: Green, Faubert, Tomkins, Faye, McCartney, Noble, O'Neil, Nolan, Vaz Te, Taylor, Cole
Subs: Collins, Lansbury, Carew, Baldock, Maynard

Reading: Federici, Cummings, Pearce, Gorkss, Harte, Karacan, Leigertwood, McAnuff, Hunt, Roberts
Subs: McCarthy, Tabb, Robson-Kanu, Church, Afobe

Only 10 for Reading?? Cunning plan lol.

Revised team sheet from WHUFC for Reading unfortunately includes KEBE!!!

why do we keep starting cole for god's sake.

not on the telly here geez so would appreciate a link if you can find one.

every week you try and get motivated and behind the team, then you see the team sheet and start thinking "negative looking tactics again".

Nice One BFS you !! Its a game we MUST win Game and You still go with The 451/Hope for the best style play knowing full well it dont finguck w**k
A game like this we should be starting Baldock and Maynard upfront ffs

With the style we are going to play I can only see one winner and its not us that for sure

It a reading v West Ham link - [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]

Radio only tho

Nicki wrote:

Admin wrote:Team news is in! One change for the Hammers, with Julien Faubert replacing the injured Joey O'Brien. Reading welcome back Jason Roberts from a hamstring injury.

West Ham United: Green, Faubert, Tomkins, Faye, McCartney, Noble, O'Neil, Nolan, Vaz Te, Taylor, Cole
Subs: Collins, Lansbury, Carew, Baldock, Maynard

Reading: Federici, Cummings, Pearce, Gorkss, Harte, Karacan, Leigertwood, McAnuff, Hunt, Roberts
Subs: McCarthy, Tabb, Robson-Kanu, Church, Afobe

Only 10 for Reading?? Cunning plan lol.

Revised team sheet from WHUFC for Reading unfortunately includes KEBE!!!

Did,nt notice that Nicki . Do you think they are trying our game plan from a few weeks ago , but instead of getting one red carded they will start with - 1

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Check those out or Sportz for free

One of them should w**k peeps

what Sam isnt able to grasp is that your average lower league defender loves a physical battle rather than your skilful type of play. Which is why a lot of teams are finding it easy to take points off us.