The view from the Hawthorns

  • by Staff Writer
  • Friday, 14th December 2012

West Ham travel to the Hawthorns this weekend for the Premier League clash with West Bromwich Albion.

And we asked Baggies fan Liam to answer a few questions about his team to give us some idea of what we'll be up against...

What is your view on West Ham United's start to the season so far?

West Ham have had a solid star. I haven't seen much of you in action apart from the bits I've seen on TV but you've looked very organised and it's no surprise to see you doing so well with Big Sam in charge.

And how is West Brom's season going?

We've had a very good start, better than we expected. I just hope that our December form doesn't derail the good work we've put in so far and that's why I hope we can get back to winning ways on Sunday. We've played some decent football and look very good on the counter, with some superb victories coming against Liverpool, Chelsea and Sunderland.

What are your expectations for the rest of the season and where do you think you'll finish?

I think a top half finish would be good for us and satisfying for Steve Clarke in his first season. Our early form may have raised the bar slightly but I think we'll end up around eighth or ninth alongside a clutch of teams. Finishing above Aston Villa - and most importantly beating them in January - is paramount if we're going to become top dogs in Midlands football. It would be nice to get to the 40 points mark as soon as possible and a Cup run would be pleasing, considering we're more or less safe.

Where do you think West Ham will finish 2012/13?

I think you'll be comfortably mid-table. You won't be going down with Big Sam in charge as his sides are always organised and generally do enough to survive. I can see you causing a few more upsets in this league as you did against Chelsea the other week.

What are West Brom's main strengths and weaknesses?

A strength of ours is our counter attacking; I would stick my neck on the line and say it's up there with the best in the country. We have players with pace and if we see an opening we look to take advantage, as Sunderland found out some weeks ago. Our weakness at the moment is retaining possession, especially when teams press us. Our full backs have looked suspect of late so Matt Jarvis might have some joy against Steven Reid, which will probably be your best chance of causing us problems.

What players should we be wary of, and which West Ham player do you fear?

Peter Odemwingie and James Morrison. Odemwingie has pace and the ability to produce something of nothing whilst Morrison has tenacity, guile and the ability to change a game. He's been a fundamental part of our success so far, aided by the Yacob and Mulumbu partnership behind him. I don't fear your strikers as Jonas Olsson and G-Mac are monsters in the air and very rarely lose the aerial battle. However I can see Matt Jarvis causing us problems, the added spice there is that he's a former Dingle [Wolves].

With the January transfer window fast approaching, are there any positions in your team that need strengthening?

January is a notoriously quiet month by our standards and we tend to rely on loan deals. With Mulumbu and Odemwingie heading off to the African Cup of Nations the likelyhood is that we'll need to bring someone in. Clarke has stated that there are funds available, but I'm pretty sure previous managers said that and brought nobody in!

Name your expected starting XI for the game...

The team will hopefully look something like this: (4-2-3-1) Myhill; Reid, G-Mac, Olsson, Popov; Mulumbu, Yacob; Odemwingie, Morrison, Gera; Long. Possibly Foster and Ridgewell to replace Myhill and Popov providing they're fit.

And finally, your prediction?

My heart says Albion, the head says draw so I'll go for the former and say 2-0 to Albion.

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