Preview - Hull Vs West Ham

Another round down after a 3-2 victory over Cardiff has earned us a next round tie against Burnley, we couldn't have got a much better draw there. The win was well earned and showed some good courage to fight back a grab a win after squandering a 2-0 lead after only 8 minutes. 

It was nice to see Ravel on the score sheet again, another eye catching performance from the youngster. And I was happy to see Jarvis get a goal, however sloppy it was. 

Back to the league and what we really need is to bounce back strong after the Everton defeat. Points are slipping away from us again already. Some squad depth is much needed. Last year we ending up not coming away with the right result after leading Arsenal, Spurs, Liverpool and Man Utd. It happened again last Saturday and for me this is down to a lack of squad depth. Throwing Matty Taylor on with 20 minutes to go is not doing us any favors. (Sorry Matt)

After the season started off so brightly, we’re now staring a must-win game square in the face. A trip to Hull wasn’t exactly the type of game we expected to be worrying about so early on in the campaign.

Mark Noble returns to the side after serving his one-game suspension against Cardiff City on Tuesday night.

Stewart Downing has overcome a dead-leg suffered last month against Stoke City and will be in the squad, while Guy Demel also returns after his thigh injury.

Joe Cole is not quite ready for first-team action, while Andy Carroll is out for the long-term.

The news on  Carroll is less definite. Statements like ”He’s improving day by day at the moment but we’re not putting any timescales on this at all until we see how he’s progressed with the specialists in Belgium. He’ll be back with us as soon as possible” do not fill me with much hope to be honest. I just hope to God we do not have another Dean Ashton situation unfolding here. Ravel Morrison is our shining light at the minute; I'm sure you will all agree.

The hosts are without James Chester has been ruled out for eight weeks with a hamstring problem, while captain Robert Koren will also miss out through an ankle problem.

Maynor Figueroa and Paul McShane are expected to return to the side after compassionate leave and a hamstring injury respectively.

It’s going to be a tough ask to get all three points but, if we play the way have done in our last two outings, there’s every chance of securing a very rare win away from Upton Park.

It's going to be a tough day out and a win is vital, I predict it will be a hard earned smash and grab 0-1 victory for the Hammers.

COYI

Preview - West Ham vs. Cardiff (League Cup)

What can be said about Saturdays game? I feel so hard done by, such a cruel loss after being 2-1 up after 80-or-so minutes. two absolute worldie free-kicks from Baines sunk us when in winning positions. The 3rd time a free kick has un-done us already. What are the chances?

The Noble red card really cost and his second booking was daft and cynical. However the first booking was very soft. But that's football!

The positive I take from it is that we're losing to individual brilliance rather than poor play or defending ourselves. The negative is that we seem to lack this quality ourselves.

I'd like to see Petric start tonight, I feel he did really well when he came on and I am running out of patience with Maiga.

West Ham find themselves wearing thin once again. Key midfielders Joe Cole and Stewart Downing have only just returned to training, and therefore find themselves unfit to play in tonight’s Capital One Cup game.

The Hammers will also have to do without central midfielder Mark Noble, after he was awarded a red card at the weekend in the 3-2 loss at home to Everton.

Cardiff boss Malky Mackay is set to make a host of changes to his side with Nicky Maynard, Mark Hudson, Joe Lewis, Don Cowie, Jordan Mutch and Craig Noone all in contention to feature at Upton Park. Mackay could also opt to hand new signing Peter Odemwingie a first start.

In terms of current form, both sides have started the season on level terms, having won one, drawn two and lost one of their first five Premier League matches.

Tonight’s fixture is of the utmost importance for both teams.

West Ham fans will be particularly up for this match after Saturdays cruel loss to Everton.

I really hope West Ham can go on a cup run this year. We already ready know we can beat Cardiff but anything can happen in the cup.

I predict a 2-1 win for West Ham (after extra time)

COYI 

Preview - West Ham vs. Everton

Another bore draw for West Ham, if it wasn't for a moment of brilliance (or fluke) from Pennant, against Stoke, that would be 3 0-0's in a row; defensively brilliant, offensively shambolic.

The trip to Southampton would have been a dull, disappointing one for our travelling fans, but never the less, a draw away to Southampton is a good result in my eyes.

A point was salvaged by an impressive displays from Jussi who kept West Ham in the game, West Hams best chance unfortunately fell to James Collins who blazed his effort over the bar. West Ham may feel a little hard done by, having a goal ruled out that appeared on side and also seeing Southampton midfielder Morgan Schneiderlin remain on the pitch after a nasty tackle on Diame.

Maiga looks lost and I feel sorry for him. I don't think his ability should be questioned but hes fighting a losing battle trying to hold the ball up alone. Some fans might not agree with me but I'd like to see Nolan up front, Nolan has a great eye for goal when presented with the chance, is a real handful for defenders both verbally and physically and I think in midfield he can go missing and often slow down play. This would also give freedom to Ravel to take up to role behind the front man.  

Injury is troubling West Ham who are short of attacking options ahead of Saturday's Premier League match at home to Everton.

Andy Carroll (heel) is proving to be a big loss for the misfiring Hammers whilst the game comes too soon for new signing Mladen Petric, who is still striving to improve his fitness. Joe Cole and Stewart Downing are also missing, while Alou Diarra is a long-term absentee

Loan signing Romelu Lukaku is set for his Everton debut at West Ham having been ineligible for last weekend's fixture against parent club Chelsea.

Fellow striker Arouna Kone is also expected to return to the squad after a knee injury along with midfielder Darron Gibson, who has not featured this season because of a knee injury. Midfielder Steven Pienaar  is rated 50-50 but centre-back Antolin Alcaraz is still recovering from a similar problem.

Gareth Barry isn't everyones cup of tea but put in a great performance on Chelsea. Steady rather than spectacular, he does a great anchoring role, West Ham will have to cut him out in order to get the ball in midfield and create chances.

I am not confident here but we look defensively solid and I think Upton Park is a difficult place to come for any team.

I predict a 1-0 win for West Ham

Enjoy the game. And make Upton Park rock all afternoon.

COYI

Preview - Southampton Vs. West Ham

I returned from holiday bitterly disappointed to find that we had  failed to secure the services of any new players of deadline day, leaving us desperately short up front should Carroll become injured. Alas, another foot injury could set him back until 2014. Typical.

On top of that I quickly scanned to weekend results to find that we had recorded a 0-1 loss to Stoke at home. Sigh. Jermaine Pennant's brilliant free-kick eight minutes from time gave Stoke the win against a lacklustre West Ham.

The substitute's curled effort was enough to give Mark Hughes's side their second consecutive Premier League win.

In more positive news, this was our first defeat of the season and the first goal we had conceded in the Premier League. Put it down to a bad day at the office.

More positives; In comes Mladen Petric on a short term deal. Not a bad deal given the circumstances but I fear he will be a few weeks away from match fitness yet. This leaves an unhappy Vaz Te who clearly expressed a desire to leave the club and struggling Maiga who I still prey will turn good.

Hopefully the International break came at the right time and we can come back refreshed as a squad and in good confidence following the 1-0 friendly win against Espanyol.

After what I hear was an appalling home defeat where we were outplayed by Stoke on our own ground, yes Stoke; we have a difficult away trip to Southampton. Difficult but winnable. 

Both clubs were promoted to the top flight two seasons ago and they held their own to retain their Premier League status last campaign. Its hard to believe these two clubs were promoted finishing below Reading.

Both sides endured frustrating afternoons in their last Premier League outings. The Saints also couldn’t find the net at Carrow Road, going down 1-0 to Norwich. Both teams will be after blood this Sunday looking to put things right.

Southampton will welcome back the nations new sweetheart, Rickie Lambert (just wait till Carroll is back). And Lambert will be looking to continue his good luck with another goal this weekend. The Saints have no other injury worries.

West Ham's unwelcome Carroll news leaves them with a potentially long lay-off on their hands - and has the potential to rock an already goal-shy team. The signing of Mladen Petric might help a bit, but injuries to both Joe Cole and Stewart Downing might mean that Ravel Morrison could have a bigger impact on this game.

West Ham struggled for away form last season and all in all it doesn't add up for a fun afternoon, I remain optimistic however and always believe we can nick a result nowadays.

I predict 1-1.

Get behind the team as always everyone.

COYI.