West Ham United v Tottenham Hotspur Match Preview

West Ham Preview 2
By Lev
March 3 2007

With many supporters calling for Martin Jol’s head not too long ago, (last week actually), the phrase, ‘seven days is a long time in football,’ certainly rings true at the moment.

West Ham United vs. Tottenham Hotspur – Sunday March 4th – Upton Park – Kick Off 16:00

With many supporters calling for Martin Jol’s head not too long ago, (last week actually), the phrase, ‘seven days is a long time in football,’ certainly rings true at the moment. After only one away win against Premiership opposition all season, Spurs fans may have been excused for fretting over their two away games in four days. However, 6 goals, another round of FA Cup success and 3 points later, things were looking a little rosier in the Tottenham camp. And then came the icing on the cake. The best performance of the season, including one of the best lone striker performances some have ever seen, a determined, gritty, possibly un-Tottenham-like last hour, some wonderful attacking football, 4 goals and another 3 points in the bag. Suddenly, it’s looking promising. A UEFA Cup spot from the league is now a realistic target, while the Chelsea game in the cup is now perceived as a chance for a historic shock result, rather than a no-hoper. Things have changed pretty quickly… who’d be a Tottenham fan, eh?

Well, actually, a few West Ham supporters might privately wish they were. Currently 19th in the table with 20 points, and having just lost 4-0 to relegation rivals Charlton, things aren’t exactly looking up for the Hammers… Tottenham fans: take note. However, if anyone connected with Spurs thinks that the Irons will just roll over again on Sunday, they would be wrong. Alan Curbishley will not need to do much to gee his players on to get one over one of their biggest rivals, whilst Martin Jol will also have an easy task in pumping up his squad. The Lasagne-gate scandal that destroyed Spurs’ Champions League hopes on the final day of last season clearly left major scars on the team. The lasagne was not the only thing that left a bad taste in the mouth though, with some West Ham players’ kick-them-when-their-down policy also angering Spurs players and fans alike.

Well revenge is indeed a dish best served cold and nothing would fill the tummy better, (ok, I’ll stop now), than an away win at Upton Park. With Dimitar Berbatov and Didier Zokora proving it was money well spent by Spurs in the Summer, and Michael Dawson staking his claim for the vice-captaincy (at least), the spine of the team is looking solid again, especially with England’s number one looking like he is regaining his best form. Jermain Defoe is likely to start in attack with Spurs’ new Bulgarian hero and will want a goal or two against his old club. In the midfield, Jol is also expected to keep the same team that played against Bolton, so Steed Malbranque may find himself on the bench once again. Tottenham look confident and are certainly playing well, so West Ham will have to keep busy and get about them. Lee Bowyer returns to the side and may start, whilst Nigel Reo-Coker will need to turn in a good performance, if not only to show a possible future club what he can do. Up top, Carlos Tevez should start again after a hard-working performance at the Valley last weekend and could be partnered by ex-Spur Bobby Zamora. Another former Tottenham player, Calum Davenport, will be at the back once more, as Lucas Neill and James Collins are still forced out by injury.

Tottenham need away wins to keep pushing up the table and it will feel like two steps forward and one step back if three points aren’t gained on Sunday. The pressure needs to be quickly applied on the teams above us and this is a great chance to do so, with the way the fixtures have fallen. If we play like we can, we will win this and win well.

COYS