Match Preview: West Ham v Man City

By: AlexG | August 22nd, 2008

Some team news first off, apparently Sunderland are attempting to land Anton Ferdinand for around £8 million. Though the money would be nice, and we could bolster both the attack and defence with that, I have to say that I am opposed to the sale if only because it creates the notion that brilliant West Ham Academy graduates are perpetually for sale. Our academy, in addition to being the single largest contributor to the English national team, is not the EPL’s breeding ground, and we are certainly no one’s feeder club. If only to send the image that our good academy graduates don’t come easily (if at all) this sale cannot go through.

Sunderland are also making a £5 million bid for Carlton Cole. Now that’s a deal I can agree with–there’s no way that he’s realistically worth that kind of money and we could do well to acquire either Saha or Sebastian ‘The Tank’ Pinto, a 22-year old Chilean who could come on loan from Santos.

As for the match, it is now time to build on the momentum we have when we visit the Citizens at 1600 Sunday. Again, we are in the easiest stretch of matches we will have all season, and perhaps one of the easiest stretches in the prem. I truly believe that momentum can play a big part in football and we need to capitalize. New boy Kompany may start but Richard Dunne, Bojinov, and Olympic bronze medalist Jo are likely to be out. (Incidentally, does anyone else think that Mark Hughes has been playing a bit too much Football Manager 08? I mean Kompany, Jo, Bojinov…people have been making these signings for ages.) As for us, Ashton is almost definitely playing and no new injuries have been reported yet, though Anton Ferdinand is still out. Scott Parker will hopefully be fit for the match as well, and yes the others on the injury list remain steady like Inzaghi being offside. My prediction this week is a 2-0 win for us, with Ashton and Cole scoring one a piece.

Here’s a possible starting line up.

Green, Behrami, Davenport, Upson, Neill, Faubert, Parker, Noble, Etherington, Ashton, Cole.

There’s no time like the present, and we need to establish ourselves more firmly within the league. Come on you Irons!