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English Premier League Preview: Fulham v West Ham United [Fri Sep 16th, 2005]
West Ham United make the short trip to Craven Cottage to face Fulham with both sides eager to build on decent starts to the season.
BACKGROUND
Premiership new boys West Ham were amongst the pre-season favourites to make an immediate return to the Championship, but have started the season well with two wins, a draw and a defeat to show from their first four games. The Hammers currently lie in seventh place and following Monday’s comfortable victory over Aston Villa will be in a confident frame of mind ahead of the trip to Fulham.
The Cottagers were also tipped by many to struggle this season and although their first five games have only yielded five points they still appear comfortable in the top flight. Chris Coleman has surprised many to maintain his position in the Craven Cottage hot seat and he was again one of the favourites to be sacked first this season.
But the Welshman has got his side playing good football and there appears to be a strong team spirit that should see Fulham continue to prosper in the Premiership.
The Hammers have got a good recent record at the Cottage – they have won three and drawn two of the last five visits dating back to 1978. The two sides met in the FA Cup last season and after a 0-0 draw at Craven Cottage, Fulham ran out 3-0 winners in the replay at Upton Park.
West Ham just edge the head-to-head battle, having won 30 to Fulham’s 27 with 16 draws from all competitions.
FORM GUIDE
Fulham (All competitions, earliest result first): DLLWD
Fulham’s only win of the season came four games into the season courtesy of a 1-0 home over Everton. Chris Coleman’s side remain unbeaten at home having drawn their opening day fixture with Birmingham City 0-0. That was followed by defeats at both Blackburn and Arsenal and most recently the Cottager’s drew 1-1 at Newcastle United.
West Ham (All competitions, earliest result first): WDLW
Marlon Harewood’s hat-trick on Monday night helped the Hammers to a comfortable 4-0 win at home to Aston Villa which was their first win since the 3-1 opening day victory against Blackburn. A fine point from a 0-0 draw at Newcastle was followed by a 2-1 home defeat to Bolton Wanderers.
TEAM NEWS
Fulham:
Alain Goma and Sylvain Legwinski are doubts with calf and groin injuries respectively, but could make a recovery in time to start against the Hammers. Mark Pembridge and Jaroslav Dronby are expected to remain sidelined for another one or two weeks.
West Ham:
Alan Pardew has no new injury worries ahead of the trip to Fulham and is likely to keep faith with the side that dispatched of Aston Villa so convincingly on Monday night.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Fulham:
American striker Brian McBride has enjoyed a great start to the season scoring three goals in five games for Fulham. The 33 year-old international has continued where he left off last season after scoring five in Fulham’s final six games and is sure to be a threat against West Ham this weekend.
West Ham:
Veteran striker Teddy Sheringham is continuing to shine at the top level and is proving that there is still plenty of life in his 39 year-old legs. The former England international was never the fastest of players, so a natural decrease in pace is having no detrimental affect on his game. He already has 272 league goals to his credit, but does not look finished yet and could well find himself on the scoresheet again on Saturday.
POSSIBLE STARTING XIs
Fulham:
Warner, Volz, Knight, Bocanegra, Niclas Jensen, Radzinski Claus Jensen, Diop, Malbranque, Boa Morte, McBride.
Subs: Batista, Elrich, Christanval, Helguson, John
West Ham:
Carroll, Repka, Gabbidon, Ferdinand, Konchesky, Mullins, Benayoun, Reo-Coker, Etherington, Sheringham, Harewood.
Subs: Hislop, Aliadiere, Newton, Zamora, Dailly
Mike Olford
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