 Friday, 18th Apr 2008 09:57 The game at Pride Park where we capitulated to West Ham reserves will serve as the lowest point of this wretched season for many Rams fans. West Ham United v Derby County Premier League Saturday, 19th April 2008, 3:00 pm The Boleyn Ground, Upton Park, London This was the West Ham team for that encounter back in November: Green; Neill; Gabbidon; Upson; McCartney (Paintsil); Spector; Solano; Bowyer (Collins); Etherington; Boa Morte; Cole. Missing were Kieron Dyer, Scott Parker, Dean Ashton, Julien Faubert, Freddie Ljungberg, Craig Bellamy, Bobby Zamora, Anton Ferdinand, Mark Noble and Hayden Mullins. You could have made a team out of the Hammers' injury list and yet they were better than us in every way on the park. It was pretty obvious to many that day that the season was going to be long and arduous. Since that game the Hammers haven't pulled up many trees, but they've quietly gone about establishing themselves as a regular Premeirship side. The highlight was probably the 2-1 victory over Manchester United with Anton Ferdinand scoring one against big brother Rio's team. They currently lie 10th and aren't in any danger of Europe or relegation. They haven't won for four games including three straight defeats and given the fans' lack of patience, Alan Curbishley will be looking to get the team back on track this weekend. Current West Ham Squad No. Position Player Last 5 games West Ham 2-1 Blackburn Danger Men Leading scorer for the Hammers this year is Dean Ashton with 8 goals. The Hammers' record signing has continued to score goals at the top level being one of a rare breed of player who can make the step up to the Premiership. He's been compared to Alan Shearer and on ability and strength, that would appear to be the case. He's not as selfish in front of goal as Shearer and that may be what is keeping him out of the England squad now he's recovered from his broken ankle. The rest of the Hammers' goals are spread around the squad with Bellamy, Cole and Bowyer all chipping in. Anton Ferdinand has managed two goals this year and if his long term bet with Rio is still on, he's 1 behind his big brother in the scoring stakes. The Rams After discovering some team spirit and playing well against Everton, Fulham and Middlesbrough, it was another leap backwards against Villa. Despite it being our worst ever hammering at home, there was a bit of a party atmosphere at Pride Park. Mexican Waves, pretend goals, ironic chants and a general failure to allow the overpaid underachievers on the park to get us down. Despite the result and capitulation, for the first 25 minutes the Rams looked good. They passed the ball well and broke forward with ease and they looked calm and collected at the back. Up until Roy Carroll's first howler, we looked like we might get something. What was unforgivable was the way the players' heads went down. I noticed there was no appeal for the foul on Carroll, nor the clear offside for the second - the team simply gave up. The worst offenders were Kenny Miller, and Dave Jones who just simply stopped trying. Jones may want to play against the big boys as he said the other week - he also needs to put in a shift at the coalface when required. What was alarming was how the defence began to flounder once the midfield gave up. Darren Moore did his best but even he was reduced to attempted rugby tackles while the hapless Mears, Leacock, and McEveley looked like two contestants in a "be a footballer for a day" competition. Even Stubbs struggled to cope and was caught out of position time and time again. It's all very well for Paul Jewell to wish the season was over. It isn't. We pay money to watch these games and we expect a modicum of effort. 19,000 season ticket renewals should not be taken as a sign that we'll accept any old rubbish - they should be taken as a sign that we want the best performing 11 on the pitch and nothing else will do. What the bookies think As usual, we're not the favourites as William Hill have West Ham at 4/11 to win and a Rams win at 6/1. Information for traveling fans Driving: It's 142 miles to Upton Park and the route is fairly straightforward. Take the M1 south to J6a the M25 then head for Dartford. At J27 take the M11 for London until J4 with the North Circular (A406). Take the left fork South. Leave the North Circular at the Barking junction. Turn right at the roundabout towards Ham (on Barking Road). Go through several sets of lights until you reach East Ham Town Hall. 3/4 mile further, you pass the ground on your right. Parking: Parking is difficult if not impossible if you go to the ground. It's even more difficult to get out of the area afterwards if you do manage to find some. As with most of the London grounds, it's better to park somewhere else and get the tube there. The best suggestion I have heard is from Footballgroundguides.com which is to 'come off the M25 at J29 and take the A127 to Upminster. Park at Upminster tube station (£1 for the day) and for £3.50 you can get a return ticket to Upton Park which will get you there in less than 25 minutes'. The nearest tube station is Upton Park and NOT West Ham. After the game, the queues are terrible and it's probably best to wait until they die down or walk up the road to East Ham. Drinking: The pubs around the ground are perhaps best avoided by away fans. According to Footballgroundguides.com, the Millers Well or the Denmark Armsby East Ham town hall are the best bet. They are about 20 minutes from the ground along Barking Road and are best served by the East Ham Tube. Mick's Prediction We've never had mch luck at West Ham so given our current form I wouldn't expect that to change now. I'd be happy with a performance such as we saw at Everton. 1-1 is me being optimistic.
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