Sunday 9 May 2010

West Ham preview

With the pressure valve of meaning released, this might be rather fun. It's not novel for us to have a relaxed end of term feel in these games - we haven't had a final day game that mattered since Robbie Fowler's unfortunate penalty miss five years ago. But to come as far as we did this year, just short of hauling ourselves up onto the next level, and to lose on Wednesday night, means that this is not quite the same as our usual April/May wind down.

As a game it could go either way. The fact that it is probably Gianfranco Zola's final game in charge of West Ham could lead to a similar pressure-release as we have, and an open game. Equally it could represent the discontent and frustration many people have at the Boleyn Ground with the new owners. A 0-0 and a 4-3 seem equally plausible this morning.

I wouldn't mind seeing some of the kids. Alex Nimely, Abdi Ibrahim, Young Player of the Year Dedryck Boyata - when better to play them? That said, it would be nice to give a good send off to those players who have performed so well this year: Vincent Kompany, Nigel de Jong, Carlos Tévez and Craig Bellamy. Particuarly as I am fairly sure this will be Bellamy's last game as a blue.

2 comments:

longwayfromhome said...

There will be a huge difference between 5th and 6th in Mancini's eyes and I would be gob smacked if he went into the match with anything other than a win in mind. Experimentation, if any, will be when the game is won.
I'm also sceptical of any players names being on an exit list unless better quality replacements are secured. The Mail has always had one of the worst records for predicting the transfer window for the Prem (ask FourFourTwo) and the Bellers rumour is as likely to be lazy lounge bar journalism as it is accurate.

Anonymous said...

um..

"Bellamy also reassured anxious fans at the event that he is going nowhere in the summer."

http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/sport/football/manchester_city/s/1239319_strike_duo_hint_at_city_stay