Post by Golden_Boy™ on Feb 10, 2007 10:51:23 GMT -1
West Ham v Watford
Upton Park
Saturday, 10 February
Kick-off: 1500 GMT
Coverage on the BBC Sport website, BBC Radio Five Live & highlights on MOTD
Lucas Neill could return after picking up an ankle injury on his West Ham debut, while Anton Ferdinand may also be back, but Matthew Upson is out.
Argentine forward Carlos Tevez has recovered from a calf injury and Carlton Cole is also available after a similar problem.
Clarke Carlisle is back in full training for Watford after a thigh injury but is not ready to play.
Dan Shittu should continue despite recent ankle trouble.
606 DEBATE: Your views on the match
West Ham (from): Carroll, Green, Spector, Davenport, Ferdinand, Neill, Dailly, McCartney, Benayoun, Reo-Coker, Quashie, Boa Morte, Etherington, Zamora, Blanco, Harewood, Tevez, Mullins.
Watford (from): Foster, Lee, Mariappa, DeMerit, Doyley, Powell, Mackay, Shittu, Smith, Bangura, Francis, Stewart, Williamson, Mahon, Williams, Bouazza, McNamee, Henderson, Kabba, Hoskins, Ashikodi, Priskin.
# Watford captain Gavin Mahon:
"We need to play like we are fighting relegation. Against Bolton last weekend (a 1-0 defeat), we did not show our usual fight and determination.
"It was our poorest performance for a while. There was no life and no conviction.
"We have West Ham on Saturday, and Wigan and Charlton at home coming up. People talk about games being six-pointers but, to my mind, these matches are more important than six-pointers. They are make-or-break."
# West Ham midfielder Christian Dailly:
"We don't want to play in the Championship. That's not just important to us players, but to the fans and everyone at the club, from the chairman to the tea ladies.
"We're aware of how important Saturday's game against Watford is but we have to keep a calm head.
"We have to play to our strengths, get the ball down and remain mentally calm. Everyone is feeling positive."
BIG-MATCH FACTS
WEST HAM UNITED enter a pivotal pair of games in the plight to preserve their Premiership position. Victories from this six-pointer against Watford, and the one at Charlton next Saturday would decrease the survival chances of their fellow basement battlers, but not necessarily guarantee the Hammers a place outside of the relegation zone. The Hammers and Watford are the only clubs not to have been awarded a penalty in this Premiership season.
Alan Curbishley has only seen his new side pick up three points from eight engagements, since their amazing 1-0 home win over leaders Manchester United. With only five wins, the east Londoners are five points short of safety with 12 matches remaining.
The Hammers have won their last 10 home League matches against Watford, since September 1984.
WATFORD would climb to within two points of their third bottom opponents, if they could beat West Ham. But to do so, they'd have to pick up a first away victory of the season at the 14th attempt. The next month could effectively seal the Hornets' fate, with Wigan and Charlton due to visit Vicarage Road, in addition to this visit to Upton Park.
The 2-1 win over Blackburn on 23 January was the only victory in 14 League outings, and only goals in six League games by the shot-shy Hornets. Aidy Boothroyd's side have not found the back of the net in four games on their Premiership travels, since the 2-1 loss at Newcastle on 16 December.
The Hornets are returning to Upton Park, where they won in the fourth round of the FA Cup a fortnight ago through an Anthony McNamee goal. The Vicarage Road club are now seeking a first win in 20 League meetings, since a 5-0 home victory on 2 April 1985. They've not taken away maximum points from Upton Park since a 2-4 top League success on 21 February 1984.
REFEREE
Alan Wiley (Burntwood, Staffordshire)
Premiership referees' table
Alan Wiley's 2006-07 Premiership card count
SEQUENCES/RECENT FORM
WEST HAM UNITED
Club stats
Fixtures
18th 20 points
Highest achievable after Saturday's matches: 18th
Lowest could fall: 19th
1. Lost the last three in all competitions, and not won in five.
2. Pressing for a first win in nine Premiership games.
3. Won only five Premier League matches - only Watford have won fewer (two).
4. Lost more top flight games than any other club, with the exception of Charlton (16 each).
5. Conceded 41 League goals, at one every 57 minutes on average. Only Charlton have an inferior defence, with 45 goals shipped.
6. Conceded the opening goal in more top League games than any other club. Won only one of the 19 matches in which the opposition has scored first (against Charlton).
7. Failed to score in 14 top flight matches, and kept clean sheets in four. Only Tottenham and Newcastle have also managed as few as four shut-outs.
8. Bottom of the Premiership's "Last Six Current Form" table with two points from the possible 18.
9. Won two, drawn three and lost six of the 11 League and Cup matches under Alan Curbishley (won one, drawn three and lost five of the nine Premiership games).
10. Home to Tottenham, after visiting Charlton in the next game. Thereafter there are two games against northern opposition (away to Blackburn, and home to Middlesbrough).
WATFORD
Club stats
Fixtures
20th 15 points
Highest achievable after Saturday's matches: 20th
Lowest could fall: 20th
1. Lost 10 of the last 14 Premiership matches.
2. Not scored in 200 minutes (three hours 20 minutes) of Premiership football, since Jay DeMerit got the winner, home to Blackburn on 23 January. They've also completed 393 minutes (six hours 33 minutes) of top flight soccer on the road since Hameur Bouazza last scored (at Newcastle on 16 December).
3. Failed to score in 10 of the last 14 League fixtures.
4. Only League victories this season were 2-0, home to Middlesbrough on 4 November, and 2-1, home to Blackburn on 23 January.
5. Drawn nine Premiership matches. Only Aston Villa and Fulham have finished level more often (11 each).
6. Poorest attack in the highest League with only 14 goals scored, at an average of one every 161 minutes (two hours 41 minutes).
7. Opened the scoring in five top flight matches - fewer than any other club. West Ham have taken the lead from the opening whistle on six occasions.
8. Failed to score in an unequalled 15 top League encounters, and conceded the opener on 14 occasions.
9. Picked up just four points from a possible 39 on the road and won one of 32 away matches in their Premier League history. Watford and West Ham are the only remaining clubs without an away victory in the Premiership this season.
10. Home to Ipswich in the fifth round of the FA Cup next, before Wigan, Everton and Charlton visit Vicarage Road in successive home fixtures.
KEY PLAYER NOTES/POTENTIAL MILESTONES
WEST HAM UNITED
Squad profiles
Bobby ZAMORA is West Ham's leading scorer with six goals - all in the Premiership.
Marlon HAREWOOD is a double shy of 100 career League goals (Nottingham Forest, Ipswich and West Ham).
If selected in the 11, HAREWOOD will be making his 250th career League start (Nottingham Forest, Ipswich and West Ham).
If he plays, Lee BOWYER will be making his 450th club career appearance (Charlton, Leeds, West Ham and Newcastle).
If he lines up for the kick-off, Daniel GABBIDON will be making his 50th Premiership start for West Ham.
If on the field from the outset, Teddy SHERINGHAM will be making his 50th start in a West Ham shirt.
WATFORD
Squad profiles
With Ashley YOUNG transferred to Aston Villa, Hameur BOUAZZA is the club's top goalscorer on the current staff at Vicarage Road. He has scored three times - all in the Premiership.
Darius HENDERSON is the only player to have figured in at least a part of every one of Watford's Premiership matches this season.
When next he plays, Marlon KING will be making his 50th League appearance in Watford colours.
Malky MACKAY is a former West Ham player. He made 22 appearances (18 in the Premiership), and scored two Premiership goals in his 11 months at Upton Park from September 2004.
THIS SEASON'S REVERSE FIXTURE
Watford 1-1 West Ham United
22 August 2006 - Ref: Martin Atkinson
Watford scorer: King 63
West Ham scorer: Zamora 65
HEAD TO HEAD TOTALS
Home and away
League: West Ham 20 wins, Watford 4, Draws 5
Prem: West Ham 2 wins, Watford 0, Draws 1
at West Ham only
League: West Ham 12 wins, Watford 1, Draws 1
Prem: West Ham 1 win, Watford 0, Draws 0
Huge game today.
COME ON U ORNS !!!
Upton Park
Saturday, 10 February
Kick-off: 1500 GMT
Coverage on the BBC Sport website, BBC Radio Five Live & highlights on MOTD
Lucas Neill could return after picking up an ankle injury on his West Ham debut, while Anton Ferdinand may also be back, but Matthew Upson is out.
Argentine forward Carlos Tevez has recovered from a calf injury and Carlton Cole is also available after a similar problem.
Clarke Carlisle is back in full training for Watford after a thigh injury but is not ready to play.
Dan Shittu should continue despite recent ankle trouble.
606 DEBATE: Your views on the match
West Ham (from): Carroll, Green, Spector, Davenport, Ferdinand, Neill, Dailly, McCartney, Benayoun, Reo-Coker, Quashie, Boa Morte, Etherington, Zamora, Blanco, Harewood, Tevez, Mullins.
Watford (from): Foster, Lee, Mariappa, DeMerit, Doyley, Powell, Mackay, Shittu, Smith, Bangura, Francis, Stewart, Williamson, Mahon, Williams, Bouazza, McNamee, Henderson, Kabba, Hoskins, Ashikodi, Priskin.
# Watford captain Gavin Mahon:
"We need to play like we are fighting relegation. Against Bolton last weekend (a 1-0 defeat), we did not show our usual fight and determination.
"It was our poorest performance for a while. There was no life and no conviction.
"We have West Ham on Saturday, and Wigan and Charlton at home coming up. People talk about games being six-pointers but, to my mind, these matches are more important than six-pointers. They are make-or-break."
# West Ham midfielder Christian Dailly:
"We don't want to play in the Championship. That's not just important to us players, but to the fans and everyone at the club, from the chairman to the tea ladies.
"We're aware of how important Saturday's game against Watford is but we have to keep a calm head.
"We have to play to our strengths, get the ball down and remain mentally calm. Everyone is feeling positive."
BIG-MATCH FACTS
WEST HAM UNITED enter a pivotal pair of games in the plight to preserve their Premiership position. Victories from this six-pointer against Watford, and the one at Charlton next Saturday would decrease the survival chances of their fellow basement battlers, but not necessarily guarantee the Hammers a place outside of the relegation zone. The Hammers and Watford are the only clubs not to have been awarded a penalty in this Premiership season.
Alan Curbishley has only seen his new side pick up three points from eight engagements, since their amazing 1-0 home win over leaders Manchester United. With only five wins, the east Londoners are five points short of safety with 12 matches remaining.
The Hammers have won their last 10 home League matches against Watford, since September 1984.
WATFORD would climb to within two points of their third bottom opponents, if they could beat West Ham. But to do so, they'd have to pick up a first away victory of the season at the 14th attempt. The next month could effectively seal the Hornets' fate, with Wigan and Charlton due to visit Vicarage Road, in addition to this visit to Upton Park.
The 2-1 win over Blackburn on 23 January was the only victory in 14 League outings, and only goals in six League games by the shot-shy Hornets. Aidy Boothroyd's side have not found the back of the net in four games on their Premiership travels, since the 2-1 loss at Newcastle on 16 December.
The Hornets are returning to Upton Park, where they won in the fourth round of the FA Cup a fortnight ago through an Anthony McNamee goal. The Vicarage Road club are now seeking a first win in 20 League meetings, since a 5-0 home victory on 2 April 1985. They've not taken away maximum points from Upton Park since a 2-4 top League success on 21 February 1984.
REFEREE
Alan Wiley (Burntwood, Staffordshire)
Premiership referees' table
Alan Wiley's 2006-07 Premiership card count
SEQUENCES/RECENT FORM
WEST HAM UNITED
Club stats
Fixtures
18th 20 points
Highest achievable after Saturday's matches: 18th
Lowest could fall: 19th
1. Lost the last three in all competitions, and not won in five.
2. Pressing for a first win in nine Premiership games.
3. Won only five Premier League matches - only Watford have won fewer (two).
4. Lost more top flight games than any other club, with the exception of Charlton (16 each).
5. Conceded 41 League goals, at one every 57 minutes on average. Only Charlton have an inferior defence, with 45 goals shipped.
6. Conceded the opening goal in more top League games than any other club. Won only one of the 19 matches in which the opposition has scored first (against Charlton).
7. Failed to score in 14 top flight matches, and kept clean sheets in four. Only Tottenham and Newcastle have also managed as few as four shut-outs.
8. Bottom of the Premiership's "Last Six Current Form" table with two points from the possible 18.
9. Won two, drawn three and lost six of the 11 League and Cup matches under Alan Curbishley (won one, drawn three and lost five of the nine Premiership games).
10. Home to Tottenham, after visiting Charlton in the next game. Thereafter there are two games against northern opposition (away to Blackburn, and home to Middlesbrough).
WATFORD
Club stats
Fixtures
20th 15 points
Highest achievable after Saturday's matches: 20th
Lowest could fall: 20th
1. Lost 10 of the last 14 Premiership matches.
2. Not scored in 200 minutes (three hours 20 minutes) of Premiership football, since Jay DeMerit got the winner, home to Blackburn on 23 January. They've also completed 393 minutes (six hours 33 minutes) of top flight soccer on the road since Hameur Bouazza last scored (at Newcastle on 16 December).
3. Failed to score in 10 of the last 14 League fixtures.
4. Only League victories this season were 2-0, home to Middlesbrough on 4 November, and 2-1, home to Blackburn on 23 January.
5. Drawn nine Premiership matches. Only Aston Villa and Fulham have finished level more often (11 each).
6. Poorest attack in the highest League with only 14 goals scored, at an average of one every 161 minutes (two hours 41 minutes).
7. Opened the scoring in five top flight matches - fewer than any other club. West Ham have taken the lead from the opening whistle on six occasions.
8. Failed to score in an unequalled 15 top League encounters, and conceded the opener on 14 occasions.
9. Picked up just four points from a possible 39 on the road and won one of 32 away matches in their Premier League history. Watford and West Ham are the only remaining clubs without an away victory in the Premiership this season.
10. Home to Ipswich in the fifth round of the FA Cup next, before Wigan, Everton and Charlton visit Vicarage Road in successive home fixtures.
KEY PLAYER NOTES/POTENTIAL MILESTONES
WEST HAM UNITED
Squad profiles
Bobby ZAMORA is West Ham's leading scorer with six goals - all in the Premiership.
Marlon HAREWOOD is a double shy of 100 career League goals (Nottingham Forest, Ipswich and West Ham).
If selected in the 11, HAREWOOD will be making his 250th career League start (Nottingham Forest, Ipswich and West Ham).
If he plays, Lee BOWYER will be making his 450th club career appearance (Charlton, Leeds, West Ham and Newcastle).
If he lines up for the kick-off, Daniel GABBIDON will be making his 50th Premiership start for West Ham.
If on the field from the outset, Teddy SHERINGHAM will be making his 50th start in a West Ham shirt.
WATFORD
Squad profiles
With Ashley YOUNG transferred to Aston Villa, Hameur BOUAZZA is the club's top goalscorer on the current staff at Vicarage Road. He has scored three times - all in the Premiership.
Darius HENDERSON is the only player to have figured in at least a part of every one of Watford's Premiership matches this season.
When next he plays, Marlon KING will be making his 50th League appearance in Watford colours.
Malky MACKAY is a former West Ham player. He made 22 appearances (18 in the Premiership), and scored two Premiership goals in his 11 months at Upton Park from September 2004.
THIS SEASON'S REVERSE FIXTURE
Watford 1-1 West Ham United
22 August 2006 - Ref: Martin Atkinson
Watford scorer: King 63
West Ham scorer: Zamora 65
HEAD TO HEAD TOTALS
Home and away
League: West Ham 20 wins, Watford 4, Draws 5
Prem: West Ham 2 wins, Watford 0, Draws 1
at West Ham only
League: West Ham 12 wins, Watford 1, Draws 1
Prem: West Ham 1 win, Watford 0, Draws 0
Huge game today.
COME ON U ORNS !!!