Well Boys and Girls it's finally here, the first home game of the new Premiership campaign. Even after a World Cup summer the break seemed to last forever. The Reds are already 4 competitive games into the 2006/07 season if we include the Community Shield, and are undefeated.
So it's West Ham at home, a game we expect to win. The sort of game we must win if we want to mount a serious challenge on the premiership this season. This week Spyin' Kop surfed over to the independent website
Knees Up Mother Brown to quiz a few of the 'appy 'ammers
West Ham United
26th August, 2006
Anfield
Kick Off: 12:45pm
Referee: Alan Wiley
The ClubWest Ham United F.C. is a football club based in Upton Park, Newham, East London and play their home matches at The Boleyn Ground.
The team enjoyed 10 consecutive top flight seasons from 1993 to 2003 prior to relegation to The Championship. They have won the FA Cup three times: in 1964, 1975 and 1980, and also captured the now defunct Cup Winners Cup in 1965, but have never won the League Championship.
The club returned to the Premier League in 2005 and achieved a 9th place finish. In addition the club progressed through to the FA Cup Final for the first time in more than 20 years where they lost on penalties to th mighty Liverpool. Due to Liverpools qualification through League Standing into the Champions League, West Ham will be playing European football this season (2006-2007) in the UEFA Cup.
If you want to see some more West Ham stats please check out last seasons editions of Spyin' Kop:
West Ham HomeWest Ham AwayWest Ham FA Cup FinalBettingFrom
www.paddypower.com Liverpool 2/5
Draw 3/1
West Ham 15/2
First Goal:C Bellamy 4 - 1 M Harewood 10 - 1
R Fowler 9 - 2 B Zamora 11 - 1
D Kuyt 9 - 2 C Cole 11 - 1
P Crouch 5 - 1 T Sheringham 12 - 1
Spyin KopThis week Spyin Kop would like to thank the following posters from
www.kumb.com for taking time out to answer our questions: Claretdave, Arch Dandy, I am law, Ozza, The Bob, Rocketron, comeonyouirons, Bubbleboy, sendo, yabush, D&G, rare as rockinghorse shat, Fishbone, Toulouse_Iron, The Gibbins, Duffybear, James P, alf git, daniel, Countryboy and simon hammer.
As I had so many responses i will post 3 for each question below and if you would like to read all the responses please do so
here1. First of all Dean Ashton, Loosing him for the start of the season is a massive blow for you, People have been talking about him getting 20+ goals a season what are your predictions for him this season and in the future?
He wont be a 20+ goal scorer for us, simply because we don’t use him like that, we use him as a link up man who can score. He has a big future though a definite future England international.
We have perhaps the strongest forward line in 20 years at UP, so, even tho each and every WHU fan would have regretted his injury, we'll do ok without him. All going well, he'll be back before the end Novemberand could therefore still get 15+ goals if we are still in 4 competitions by that time. He will one day replace conclusively a certain beanpole in the England team, as if you didn't know. Losing Ashton was a massive blow but we have a few options up front with Zamora and Cole both stepping up on Saturday and showing what they've got. Marlon Harewood will also be looking to improve on his 15 goals last year and he has looked good in pre season and against Charlton. Deano will hopefully be back for the end of November and whilst 20+ goals is probably out of the question, I still think he will be a massive player for us this season and firmly establish himself as an England squad regular. Long term, the big boys will come knocking if Deano is established in the England set up but I'm confident we can keep hold of him for a long time. Pardew has stated his intention of keeping all our key players and closing the gap between us and the big 4 so we shall see.
2. Last season must have been great for West Ham supporters, what are your expectations for West Ham this season and how will you improve?Expectations are a top ten finish, and to put in a decent enough showing in europe (at least reaching the groups and playing respectfully). However I predict us to get out of the UEFA groups and do well, but eventually going out last 8/16. Could make top 6 with a bit of luck but I think we'll fall just short this year.
I expect us to finish around the same position as last time. Being a hammer I dont let my expectations get the better of me. I think another good season will help us attract better quality maybe on par with totts.
Improve by becoming a good premiership team rather than a team that punched above their weight.
With a years premiership experience and a few decent additions (hopefully 1-2 big names before the deadline) we will look to challenge for a european place via the league within a few years.
3. Who will be your most important Player this Season?Danny Gabbidon.
Our best player last year and the best centre back in the league last season alongside Ledley King in my opinion.
His presence will be vital if we are to maintain a decent defensive unit to compliment our decent attack.
I think harewood will carry on from where he left off. He is our main player in the way he continually runs for everything and always gets in there with his strength. Although he has a fantastic work rate he will also score us many goals this season.The team is so strong that I don't think we have one most important player. I think we would probably miss Harewood the most if he was out. Luckily he rarely is.
4. As the transfer window draws to an end is there a player you would you like to bring in? Is there anyone you would like to offload? I'm happy with the squad but will always welcome more quality. Wish we'd finally get shot of Dailly. He is a liability and there is no reason for him to still be at the club.
I'm interested, but not desperate to see Malbranque and Duscher. I'd really like us to get Tranquilo Barnetta, but his club don't want to let him go. As for offloading, the key thing for West ham has been that we haven't offloaded anyone of any real value to the squad. There's no dross there now that I can see.Duscher would be a good signing, and I wouldn't want to offload anyone.
5. How do you see the game going on Saturday? How will you line up? What system do you think Alan Pardew will employ against the Reds?
Same as usual; attacking and with Riise and Carragher missing, I think we have the best chance in a while of beating you. (though that chance still remains slim!!).
We will have a lot of threat from counter attacks in particular.
--------------------------Carroll-----
--Paintsil----Ferdinand----Gabbidon---Konchesky
--Bowyer-----Mullins----Reo Coker-----Benayoun
------------------Harewood----Zamora
If we are talking typical West Ham then I would say 4-5-1, look to defend and hopefully nick one. However, the best way we play is to attack so hopefully Pards we continue with 4-4-2 with the starting line-up being Carroll-Mears/Paintsill-Gabbidon-Ferdinand-Konchesky-Bowyer-Reo-Coker-Mullins-Benayoun-Harewood-Zamora Obviously we'll be desperate to get revenge for Cardiff. We'll certainly provide a much stiffer test than we did at Anfield last year. Assuming no more major injuries or signings, I rekon we'll line up Caroll/ Paintsil, Ferdinand, Gabbidon, Konchesky/Bowyer, Reo-Coker, Mullins, Benayoun/Zamora, Harewood. Once Pardew's got his first team, he likes to stick with it ... unlike Rafa!
6. Which Liverpool player(s) will cause you the most trouble on Saturday and why? Gerrard is definately the one to stop.
The man who's name my son still won't say will be the main danger, just like he was at Cardiff, the last-minute-goal-grabbing b*stard! Also, the Bellamy/Gabbidon match-up will be crucialGerrard. Man machine.
7. Have you any predictions for Liverpool this season in the league and cups? I think liverpool will do well but i dont think they are good enough to take over united and chelsea in the league, i think they will come third again. But in Europe i think liverpool could do well as thats where most of their players seem to shine.
Before Saturday I would have said this is your year for winning the Premiership. Still think you will be up there somewhere and a good run in the FA Cup and Champions League for you as well
I think Benitez has a problem with rotation.
He is tactically superb, but I feel he is sometimes too clever. If Bellamy can find the top form he promises and you keep the same team for the vast majority of the season, I think you can be challenging for the title.
Consistency in form and line-up is key to maintaining a title challenge.
West Ham will defeat Liverpool in the Semi-Final of the FA cup and win the final with a last minute Lampard own goal!!
8. West Ham's Academy keeps on producing golden nuggets, are there any up and coming stars we should be keeping an eye on?
Mark Noble was our great hope, but he hasn't (yet) trained-on from talented kid to effective adult pro. So now I'd say it's James Tomkins: England's centre-half for the 2014 World Cup. Also Kyel Reid - a handy left-winger.
Hopefully 'you' won't be keeping an eye on any of our 'golden nuggets'. Get your own. Tomkins will be a star.Kyel reid, he is an exciting left winger who can really whip in a good cross. He has an excellent left foot and a good right foot. And also mark noble who is a very good hard working midfielder.
9. West Ham are praised for playing ‘proper football’ how important is this to you?Hugely important. Couldn't watch a team like Bolton or even yourselves of a few years ago. Even if we don't claim silverware regularly (ever!) we can be proud of our young, predominately British team who go out and play football the right way.
Very. I take massive pride in the fact that West Ham consistently bring through young English talent, give young players a chance on the big stage and then go out to attack. I have to ... cos I can't take pride in any trophies!Very important. I've always been happy being a West Ham fan despite the lack of trophies because we play good entertaining football. I'd rather be an Iron than be a fan of someone like Bolton, even if they did win trophies regularly.
10. Sorry guys but I will have to mention last seasons FA Cup Final, You must have been heartbroken, West Ham played tremendously and to loose on penalties is always sickening. Is there anything you would like to say on the Final?
Can't really say anything that hasn't already been said. Still can't bring myself to watch any of the game. As much as it was a great performance from West Ham (on and off the pitch) and one we can take a lot of pride from, it was still probably the most gutted feeling I've ever had after a game.
F*** off and die. 
That c*nt Gerrard cost me a grand. I had a tenner on West Ham to win the Cup at 100-1. The moment he equalised, I knew we were f*cked. I could just about have forgiven him if he'd done the same at the World Cup, but then he missed his pen. Aaaarrgghhh! Mind you, he is a good player ...
11. There was a rumour that the hammerettes were to be axed, what is your opinion of the lovely ladies?Saturdays on the terraces with a cup of Bovril and a sausage roll just won't be the same without the Hammerettes gyrating to some meaningless dance tune!!!
Bunch of slappers, if we're being strictly truthful. We had the New Orleans Saints cheerleaders at Upton Park for one match just before the Superbowl and they were different class. Still, they may be slappers but they're OUR slappers and it's not the same without them. I'll be curious to see the new family-friendly Hammerettes when they're unveiled next month ...When i was in dr martens stand i used to think they were ok, then i moved seats and got a close look, they are disgusting.
12. And finally can you predict Saturday’s score? 3-0 west ham, we really owe liverpool after all these years and i think the time has come.
I most certainly can, after I successfully predicted 3-1 against Charlton. 3-2 (the score that should have been last MayMy heart says we can nick a point. My head and record books say we always get mullered at Anfield. I reckon you'll shade it 2-1
Thanks again to
www.kumb.com© Scope 2006