Baka Topola Bannana Skin Awaits

Hammers begin their Europa Cup campaign this Thursday evening against little known Serbian side FK TSC Bačka Topola, while the name is new to many the club has been around since 1913, so they are hardly novices! This could well be a tricky tie with Hammers expected to 'roll over' teams they meet in the early group stages, but make no mistake TSC as they are more commonly know will be NO pushovers!

Any complacency by the team David Moyes puts out could be severely punished, fans hoping for a goal fest in London might well be disappointed. A firm but comfortable narrow victory is all Hammers need, there is no point in throwing everything at the visitors, especially bearing in mind that Hammers have to play a midweek Moose Cup game against Lincoln swiftly followed by a visit to Anfield to face Liverpool.

Moyes does now have a much more comprehensive squad to select from, the impending fixture will give him the chance to give certain fringe players a run out as wells giving some of the new signings more game time. Moyes will be able to field an 'experimental' side but retain a lot of strength in depth on the bench should they be required.

It will be the beginning of yet another European adventure, the third in three years. it is a pity that David Gold won't be there in person to witness his beloved Hammers fulfilling the "European' dream that he used to talk about. Who knows, perhaps he will be up in the sky looking down through all the bubbles floating upwards? -Ed