Back to The Boleyn for first time this season

Its my first game of the season, missed the first two due to holidays and I have to say im chomping at the bit.

The team have started well 7 points from 4 games, the negative brigade will say we had an easy start, no easy games in this league and you still have to get the results. Big Sam has mixed the styles up, we played some cracking stuff against Fulham and Aston Villa, played well against Norwich and frustrated them in the second half, im biased but we should of won that game as well. Please dont mention long ball, anybody watch Newcastle v Everton the other night, the tactic is used more than you think in the premiership.

Anyway to saturdays game, rumours around that Andy Carroll is fit, cant believe this myself, Arsenal at the earliest for him to return for me. Carlton Cole hobbled off against Norwich and lets face it he is really struggling in the prem this time around I expect to see Jarvis and Vaz Te running at the Sunderland defence, lets hope we can use someone to convert the final ball, I expect Kevin Nolan to play in a very advanced position and to be honest hes probably a better finisher than CC.


Fingers crossed, these are the type of games we need to be winning, see you in the supporters club for a pint.

Dave - COYI's

Location:Upton Park - West Ham v Sunderland

Showtime

Its play-off final time folks and we find ourselves up against Blackpool, now lets be honest the old West Ham after spanking them twice during the regular season would undoubtedly blow this opportunity and get beaten, I dont think this bunch will though.

Big Sam has finally got the team playing how he wants, our recent form is excellent, and he has most definitely instilled a resilience like he does with all his teams.

Man for man I wouldnt swap any of our players, our squad is far superior and Blackpool fans can carry on saying all they want about how they are the playoff specialists, and how there gonna teach big time West Ham a lesson, I got news for you, its not going to happen. Blackpool players and manager know inside that they have been battered twice this season already, that is inside them and if the Hammers score first it is going to be a cricket score, I confidently predict a comfortable victory for West Ham and a stress free day for the fans.



Dave - COYI's

Location:Wembley Stadium

Keep it going Hammers

I still think were heading for the play offs, but who knows. On Saturday we finally handed out the spanking I have been talking about, I see Gus Poyet managed to keep his mouth shut this time, no suprise there.

We really should fear nothing from Bristol City, keep the tempo up dont let them settle and play with the confidence shown on Saturday.

Its a must win game if not for automatic promotion but to build momemtum for the play offs.
Dave - COYI's

Play offs here we come

The NOT so dreaded play offs for us it is then, barring a miracle that is where we will end up.

We have to look at this positively, with it looking the most likely outcome with 4 games of the season still to go the team can use these matches to get over the hangover of failing to grab automatic promotion ( better knowing our fate now than the last game of the season) and gain some momemtum going into the play offs.

None of the other teams will fancy playing us and now that it seems the penny has dropped with the players of what is required of them after that second half versus Brum I really do feel quietly confident.

Brighton on Saturday, got to fancy us to turn them over, I personally think the pressure is off of us, its the others to lose now, I dont think they will but I dont fear the voodoo position of finishing 3rd anymore, as I said earlier they can deal with it now far more effectively than missing out on the last day of the season.


Dave - COYI's

Preview - West Ham v Middlesborough

SQUEAKY BUM TIME




Upton Park under the lights used to be a fortress, not anymore sadly, teams know were nervous and they play on that, the boys need to snap out of this quickly, its not the fans fault they dont win at home its their own, the fans are behind them they just need to sort themselves out on the pitch.

Not much needs to be said about this game, its a must win situation, absolutely anything else will not do. Reading and Southampton will pull out of sight if were not careful and we need to get some confidence before we entertain Reading, Reading and Southampton also have to play each other so that can only be a positive result for us regardless of who wins or even if its a draw, one or both of them will drop points.


I would say our forwards need to give themselves a kick up the backside ( they would probably miss ), and start doing what their paid for, I cant be having all this mollycoddling, they purport to be premiership players so please live up to the billing.
It is time to, put your head above the parapet, step up to the plate, or however you want to put it, the time is now.




COYI's

Dave

Preview - Leeds v West Ham United

This is a massive game for us, just our luck that Leeds are now finding form and shutting up shop defending wise under the leadership of our arch nemesis Neil Warnock. Our record against teams managed by him, to put it mildly, is not too clever. The Sheffield United affair still leaves a bitter taste and Warnock did nothing to endear himself to Hammers fans with his words at the time.

However I have faith in Big Sam, he is not a panic merchant, the recent run of poor home form wont affect his mentality and focus and hopefully this will filter through the squad, our away record is exceptional and our destiny is still in our own hands. Our strikers cant keep firing blanks, things will change, hopefully sooner rather than later.

Where we have had a bit of a shaky run recently (still undefeated in 7) may be a blessing in disguise, these runs dont go on forever and we may string a few back to back wins together, and Reading hopefully will fall off the wagon slightly, just in time for their visit to Upton Park on March 31st, where my daughter Jessica will be a mascot for the match.

Dave - COYI's

Well done Doncaster

Well done Donny, done us a big favour, our fate is back in our own hands.
Peterborough is the game in hand, confident of getting a positive result there.


COYI's

Dave