The Heat Is On As Hammers Wait For Zaba And The General

The Christmas and New Year period is one that managers both look forward to and dread at the same time, one the one hand a few good results can see a team fly up the table, however the sheer number of games that have to be played can have a catastrophic effect depending on the amount of injuries accrued. In Hammers case the 'injuries accrued' column makes very stressful reading, Manuel Pellegrini has had to deal with an ever increasing injury list that reads like a who's who of footballing talent, the list is so long that even players of the calibre of Winston Reid have disappeared in to the ether!

The last minute withdrawal of Pablo Zabaleta from the squad ahead of the Southampton game left many in fear as to the outcome, in the event Antonio deputised well, but against what will be a very determined Burnley side a player of Zabaleta's experience will be a big miss, hopefully he will be declared fit. The other 'missing link' is the General, Fabian Balbuena, although the team coped without him it was apparent that Diop looked far more exposed when having to deal with all the aerial stuff in the Box.

The trip to Burnley represents an opportunity for West Ham to win six out of seven of their games in December, something the club has never before achieved, unfortunately they will face a 'wounded animal' in the form of Sean Dyche's team, the home side will be determined to make amends for their previous heavy defeats and Joe Hart will be equally as determined to 'play a blinder' between the sticks.

There is no point in uploading the potential team that Manuel Pellegrini is going to select as yet, that will depend on the medical team and on Pelle's instinct. - Ed