A Golden opportunity

David Gold declared himself delighted after the 2012/13 fixture list threw up a comparitively favourable opening to the forthcoming campaign.

West Ham are not scheduled to face any club that finished in the top six of last season's Premier League until match seven of the campaign when they host Arsenal - whilst they face all three newly-promoted clubs from last season in September.

And that news was greeted with enthusiasm from co-chairman Gold, who told Sky Sports: "I think it's important to get off to a good start. I think the season before last we got off to a tough start in the first four game because we were playing big clubs.

"But home to Aston Villa and away to Swansea? They're winnable games, or they're games that you can expect to get something from. So we're very excited about it.

"We're back in the Premier League, every game is against a club with history. Whether we are playing super clubs or teams that have come up with us like Reading or Southampton, I could make a case that they are all exciting."

In addition to the the August fixtures mentioned by Gold, West Ham face Fulham (h), Norwich (a), Sunderland (h) and QPR (a) before meeting Arsneal at the Boleyn Ground on 6th October.

Opening Day Fixture: the Villa View

"Pleased with West Ham away. As long as our first fixture was at home or away down south I would be happy."
- Mantis

"Newly promoted teams usually have a good first home game. Remember Newcastle? But West Ham's record at home is pretty shocking..."
- villan_007

"West Ham away is winnable but a difficult game nonetheless! They will be buzzing at being back in the Premier League, the most likely result is a draw."
- villan-scott

"I'm not getting my hopes up but six or seven out of the first 10 fixtures are definitely winnable! West Ham away will be tough but it could have been a lot tougher."
- HolteEndRob

*Quotes originally posted at www.villatalk.com.