West Ham - Part IV

After the relatively poor game on Wednesday; both sets of fans will hope the match is different. The City fans for a more attacking display and West Ham for at least not to lose to City. But this is fortress Eastlands and only Tottenham have been here with the help of the officials and denied City from getting anything and I am not so sure I can see this trend being broken.

Sven on the Cup Ties: 'The simple fact is, that

based on the performances in both legs, either team could have

progressed to the next round. I am thrilled of course, that it

turned out to be us, but a little sorry for Alan Curbishley, who will

feel that he had many chances, perhaps more than us, to have got

through instead.'

It is vital we use the

momentum from Wednesday night to improve on past performances on Sunday

because as we know more than anyone, we will have our work cut out

against West Ham'

Recent loan signing Nery Castillo is out for up to six week with a shoulder injury.

Emile Mpenza's hamstring complaint will almost certainly prohibit his involvement.

Michael Johnson remains a long-term absentee with an abdominal problem, as does Valeri Bojinov - whose knee injury remains an ongoing concern but is to stall full training next week.

Yet again on Wednesday he gave the right back(Neill) a torrid time and I expect much the same on Sunday.

Julien Faubert's bright cameo appearance off the bench in midweek sees him come into contention to start, while Lee Bowyer and Luis Boa Morte must wait to learn whether their cup efforts were enough to keep Hayden Mullins and Carlton Cole out of Curbishley's first XI.

Danny Gabbidon and James Collins are both fit and pressing for opportunities at the back, while at the other end of the field, Bobby Zamora and Craig Bellamy are back in training but some way short of match fitness

Yet again he was the threat against our defence and I expect that to be the same again.

West Ham have only one once at City in the premier league and that was at Maine Road in 2003 when a Freddie Kanoute goal seperated the two sides and West Ham were managed by Hammers legend Trevor Brookingat the time as he tried valiantly to keep them up.

If City win it will be their second double of the season after their first at Newcastle two weeks ago and would replicate last season's double over the hammers.

Phil Dowd - not the best referee's; this is the first game with City this season, but his two games last season resulted in a four nil defeat and a three nil defeat; so maybe third time lucky.

A much more entertaining game with City pressing high up the pitch to score two unanswered goals before a late goal for West Ham to make it a nervy last few minutes. 2-1.

Sheffield United away at Bramhall Lane 4th round of the FA cup with a 4pm kick off on Sky.

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