Premier League Preview: West Ham Vs Wigan
It’s Premier League match time at Upton Park, as West Ham United are due to host Wigan Athletic in match week 15 on Saturday, November 27.
West Ham completed an abject 3-0 loss to Liverpool on the back of what their fans must see as a gutless display. Before the game, there was much speculation as to what effect Gerrard’s absence would have on Liverpool’s game. As it transpired, Scott Parker’s absence hurt West Ham so badly, nothing else mattered.
It is hard to see how relegation favourites West Ham are going to turn things around with the current lot of players. Ironic as it sounds, the only player in Avram Grant’s side who gave a good account of himself was Green, between the posts. And he conceded three goals. While Upson had an average day in the back-line, Jacobsen and Gabbidon couldn’t do much to reduce Green’s workload.
Wigan are coming off a 2-0 loss to Manchester United in match week 14. Though the score-line might suggest otherwise, the Latics weren’t disgraced on the day. Considering that they were down to nine men in the last third of the game, Martinez’s squad held up well and their defence was stolid, with Caldwell outstanding. N’Zogbia stuck manfully to his task up front while Thomas and Diame gave a good account of themselves in the 4-2-2 formation the Latics adopted after the send-offs of Alcaraz and Rodalegga.
West Ham hit the bottom of the table early in the season and have remained there ever since. While losing to bigger teams like Chelsea or Liverpool is not unexpected, the Hammers have faltered with teams that are evenly matched with them, either losing narrowly or drawing against them. Boasting just the solitary win against Tottenham in their first 14 games, Avram Grant’s side must look forward keenly to hosting Wigan in a fore-runner to relegation battles, this season.
Rodalegga and Alcaraz serving suspensions after being sent off with red cards during Wigan’s game against Manchester United will miss out on the West Ham meeting.
The Hammers have had the better of the Latics in five of the last 10 league games between the sides, with one match ending in a draw. On current form, however, a draw would be seen as a good result for Grant’s charges.
Hines is set to return for the Hammers and a late test is likely for Behrami and Dyer. Grant will also be hoping for Parker’s recovery from a virus. while Stanislas, Noble, da Costa, Hitlzsperger and Collison are on West Ham’s list of injured players, while G caldwell, McCarthy, Pollitt and Boyce are on Wigan’s. The Latics will also miss alcaraz and Rodallega serving suspensions. Cleverley who missed the game against parent club Man United will be available for Saturday’s game.
West Ham had the following men in their starting eleven against Liverpool: Green, Jacobsen, Gabbidon, Upson, Ilunga, Piquionne, Noble, Kovac, Boa Morte, Obinna and Cole; additionally, Barrera, McCarthy and Tomkins featured as substitutes.
The following players comprised Wigan ‘s first eleven against Manchester United: Al Habsi, Gohouri, Caldwell, Alcaraz, Figueroa, Stam, Diame, Thomas, Gomez, N’Zogbia and Rodalegga; Martinez employed Moses, McArthur and Di Santo as substitutes.
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About the Author (Author Profile)
Jinxatious is the Chief Editor of SportingAttitude.com
An avid writer, on an eclectic range of subjects, he brings to bear editorial experience garnered with a national newspaper in South-East Asia. He also has sportscasting experience, as a cricket commentator, and his passion for sport extends beyond Cricket, to Football, Tennis, and Olympic Sports.
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