West Ham Fans

Saturday's home game against Portsmouth has taken on almost biblical significance as Gianfranco Zola and Steve Clarke attempt to put a stop to West Ham United's relegation spiral. At least there is a spot of good news for the beleagured ex-Chelsea management duo

West Ham go in to the forthcoming home match against Portsmouth for what will inevitably be described as one of the season's earliest 'six pointers'.

No Cole, Noble or Behrami available for GF Zola and Clarkey as they line their West Ham team up to face Everton at the Boleyn, some consolation appears in the form of Scotty Parker's return to fitness but Hammers still look a little toothless, with the exception of Herita Ilunga of course!.

On the face of it one point out of fifteen is hardly a good return, but West Ham United's 1 - 1 draw away to Middlesbrough was a significant development for the club. Gone are the days of the long ball lumped up forward on the dreaded prostat basis of percentage football much loved by the two Alans, Curbishley and Pardew.

It's all a bit doom and gloom when it comes to matters claret and blue at the moment, unless of course you are a Villa supporter! Four defeats on the spin is not what was hoped for after the new regime began so brightly with back to back victories although losing points to Arsenal and Manchester Utd was expected

For those who have made the trek up the M1 and then M6, there is little comfort when it comes to team selection, deprived of the services of Carlton Cole and of course Dean Ashton, Gianfranco Zola has got to make do with what he has. Craig Bellamy may be fit, but he is definitely not match sharp, Diego Tristan is way off the pace, David Di Michelle is ring rusty and Freddie Sears is very inexperienced, not exactly the pool of forwards that will put the fear into Man 'U' s defence!

Gianfranco Zola has elected to 'go brave' against Arsenal by electing to play three strikers, namely Bellamy,Cole and Di Michelle. Of additional interest he has added Lee Bowyer and Hayden Mullins to toughen up the midfield and has moved 'Ginge' Collins in to the defence, Lucas Neill does NOT feature! Valon Behrami doesn't feature either, although his exclusion is because of a niggle that he picked up on International duty, whereas Neill's exclusion is a different matter entirely.-Ed West Ham: Green, Faubert, Collins, Upson, Ilunga, Mullins, Parker, Bowyer, Bellamy, Di Michelle, Cole.

Gianfranco Zola looks to be standing by his team selection of last week, with the exception of the injured Mark Noble, for this London derby against a high flying Arsenal side who thumped Fenerbahce so comprehensively in the middle of the week.

What good does the FA do? Well, F A actually! Sensing a chance to flex their muscles, those bureaucratic myopics have decided to show that 'johnny foreigner' organisation based in Lausanne, the CAS,that they mean business by suggesting that the be all and end all of all resolutions will be decided by them. The FA are seeking to hijack West Ham United's attempts at appealing against the ludicrous 'verdict' found by the kangaroo court in favour of Sheffield United over the Carlos Tevez affair

If you believe the hype, Hull are set to roll over West Ham in spectacular fashion this afternoon. Phil Brown has got his team playing as a unit and they have the advantage of being an unknown quantity, but Steve Clarke and Gianfranco Zola will have studied their opponents and will not be taking them lightly

On the face of it the signing of 32 year old out of contract striker Diego Tristan was a no brainer for Gianfranco Zola, strapped for cash and without the services of Dean Ashton for the considerable future, the Hammers manager had little option other than to sign the Spanish player who once lit up La Liga with his electric performances for Deportivo La Coruna.

Beleaguered West Ham owner Bjorgolfur Gudmundsson's advisers have finally hinted at what most fans have seen coming over the last few turbulent days as the global credit crunch begins to crank up.

West Ham United are due to make an important announcement about the future of the club this lunchtime. Despite previous staements to the contrary it is understood that that the club are in actual take over negotiations with a consortium believed to be from the middle east, and yes, you guessed it the broker is none other than Kia Joorabchian! More news as soon as....-Ed

West Ham United have not endured the best of results against Bolton in the past, and the Trotters obscene indication that they would like to try to get compensation for one of the rare ocassions that Hammers got a result, namely the 3-1 home victory when Carlos Tevez scored twice during the 'Great Escape', beggars belief.

A heavily chastened Carlton Cole has revealed his debt of gratitude to his mentor and manager Gianfranco Zola, after a roller coaster week which saw him disgrace himself by being arrested for suspected drink driving, Cole then went on to produce a superb performance in the victory over Fulham.

It might have been cold and windy at Woodside Park but Gianfranco Zola and Steve Clarke hardly seemed to notice as they watched young West Ham starlet Freddy Sears thump home four goals in an epic but scrappy reserve fixture against a robust West Bromwich side.

West Ham United kick off the first leg of what is likely to be an extremely long drawn out campaign to limit the damage caused by the ruling in favour of Sheffield Utd over the Carlos Tevez transfer, with a contentious appeal to the C.A.S in Lausanne on Wednesday.

Hammers 2-1 victory over Fulham at Craven Cottage showed exactly why the club were wise to sell Bobby Zamora to the West Londoners for £4.8 Million.

Hopes that Craig Bellamy could be available for West Ham United's visit to Fulham appear to have been dashed, the Wales captain might pass a late fitness test but it is highly unlikely that he will be able to lead the line against the Cottagers and he is not included in the initial squad.

Having experienced the lower end of visitor comfort at Vicarage Road on Tuesday, travelling West Ham fans will be equally underwhelmed by the facilities on offer at the home of Fulham. The Cottage makes the Boleyn Ground look like a prop from Stargate, but the hefty price tag to gain entry is most definitely up to date and modern!.......