 Thursday, 8th Nov 2007 21:54 The game this weekend is the only kick off in the Premiership at the traditional time. Alan Curbishley brings the 'appy 'ammers to Pride Park. Derby County V West Ham United Many people will think this game should not be taking place. For once it’s not because the pundits think we aren’t good enough – it’s the hangover from the Carlos Tévez affair. Despite a record fine for failing to record the details of Mascherano and Tévez’s transfer to the club, no points were deducted. Of particular ire to some fans are the goals that Tévez scored to help the club stay up. To be fair to supporters however, you have to wonder how a points deduction punishes anyone other than the fans. The other relegated clubs had their chance to win games and they should have taken them. West Ham only achieved promotion in 2005-2006 finishing a respectable 9th. They also reached the FA Cup final; only losing on penalties to Liverpool. West Ham currently lie a respectable 11th. The Hammers haven’t pulled up any trees so far and have only won once in the last six games. Last weeks game against Bolton which ended in a late draw exasperated Alan Curbishley. He told the BBC; "It feels like a defeat. We played the last 10 minutes like we were losing the game when it needed a bit of professionalism. We're so disappointed, that's a big two points we have dropped. We scored early and took our foot off the pedal." Ominously for Curbishley, West Ham are looking out for a Sporting director. Curbishley laughed off talk of interference from such a director. He told the Radio 5 Live; "We're talking about new stadiums and training grounds and one person can't be running all that, We want to push on and make the club stronger, but it's myself and the board that decides where we are going to go." Current Hammers Squad No. Position Player Last 5 games Aston Villa 1-0 West Ham Craig Bellamy is West Ham's top scorer with four goals in all competitions. A player that opposition fans love to hate, there’s no doubt he’s a class act. Despite his occasional run in with authority – particularly at Newcastle – he does seem to find the net regularly. He may be missing however due to injury. Only two of Bellamy’s goals have come in the league and he share’s lead league scorer status with Dean Ashton, Lee Bowyer and Matthew Etherington. The Hammers have something of an injury crisis with Kieron Dyer, Scott Parker, Dean Ashton, Julien Faubert, Freddie Ljungberg, Craig Bellamy, Bobby Zamora, Anton Ferdinand, Mark Noble and Hayden Mullins all receiving treatment. At the time of writing, only Ashton is reported as being back in training though unlikely to feature on Saturday. The Rams "I don't accept that a win against West Ham is absolutely crucial, but it would be good," said Billy Davies on the official DCFC site. Good is the understatement of the year. Derby fans would be delirious with happiness come quarter to five if we manage a win. Going into the International break possibly out of the bottom three would take a lot of pressure of the players and us fans. A defeat or draw would be more of the same and would leave us fretting. The main problem for us seems to be scoring goals. We aren’t creating many chances and we aren’t converting enough of the chances we do get. Couple that with a defence that makes mistakes that get punished and you see why we’re bottom. It would be easy to blame the strikers and defenders but it’s probably more astute to pinpoint the lack of cohesion in midfield as the main problem. Stephen Pearson and Matt Oakley seem to be struggling in the centre. Pearson is our box to box midfielder and just doesn’t seem to be at the races recently. Matt Oakley is largely invisible. Without a ball winner, there’s nobody to pass the ball to the players who can create chances. Not that Fagan, Teale, Barnes or Lewis have been doing that. Howard, Miller and occasionally Earnshaw have been willing runners – but they aren’t getting the service. Billy’s habit of dropping players who have a poor game doesn’t seem to help. Chopping and changing the team last year was Billy playing horses for courses but this year, it looks as if Billy Doesn’t know what his best team is. The fact that Rob Earnshaw always looks to be trying hard when he comes on makes many fans wonder what is going on with Davies. It leads to rumours and whispering campaigns. Billy laughs them off of course – stating Rob isn’t ready at the moment – but it’s a fact we don’t seem to be able to buy a goal at the moment. Claude Davis is rated touch & go by Billy Davies. Andy Todd is definitely out with his problem back however Kenny Miller may be back in the frame. Mick’s Team: Bywater, Mears, Moore, Leacock, McEveley, Fagan, Oakley, Jones, Pearson, Miller, Earnshaw. What the bookies think William Hill fancies the Hammers – having them at 6/5. We are at 15/8 to get our second victory while the draw is at 21/10. Craig Bellamy is the favourite to score at 2/1 while our best hope is Kenny Miller at 5/2 Rob Earnshaw is at 3/1. Information for travelling fans Drinking: There are very few pubs very close to the ground but if you come by train, the locale around the station is fairly inviting. The Crown and Cushion at the junction of London Rd always seems to be full of away supporters. The Brunswick is a must for any real ale fans and the Alexandra next door is my personal favourite. Fans tend to mingle in these pubs and as long as you’re not being aggressive, the atmosphere is good. The Waterfall opposite the station is okay as well. If you are driving, the Navigation Pub on London Rd opposite the parking area is your best bet. Driving: It’s 143 miles to Pride Park from Upton Park. Head for the M25 and then take the M1 north (don’t panic – it’s quite civilised). Come off at J25 and take the Brian Clough Way (A52) towards Derby for about 3 miles. You should see signs for away supporter parking after about 3 miles. You can however follow the signs for Pride Park and head past it towards Wilmorten and London Rd. I’d give it 3 hours to get here. Parking: It used to be at the old Wilmorten College site however that is now a building site/housing estate, so away fans should park at Catalyst on London Rd opposite the Navigation pub. It’s about 10-15 minutes from the ground. Don’t be tempted to park at Pride Park shopping centre unless you fancy being clamped. You can also park for a £5 at the hospital further up London Rd near the hospital and the Railway station. Mick’s Prediction I would dearly love us to win this one however it’s not going to be an easy game. We need to rediscover the team spirit we showed in the run in to the play offs and we need the midfield to get involved from the off. We have to create chances – even Thierry Henry would have difficulty scoring in our team. A performance is needed if we are to stay in touch for the winter transfer window. Excuses aren’t wanted.
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