West Ham Fans Born to be Claret and Blue

Expect plenty more 'Bridge' puns before the weekend has finished! Gianfranco Zola and Steve Clarke return 'home' to Chelsea in charge of a West Ham United side that desperately needs points to avoid relegation, their hosts must win at Stamford Bridge in order to maintain their push at the top of the Premiership, there will be no place to hide for the faint hearted.

Wigan's victory over Liverpool on Monday night has further compounded what a catastrophic result Hammer's home defeat by Bolton was. Wigan and Bolton have climbed above West Ham, it is to be hoped that Sunderland can only draw their match in hand, otherwise the situation will become even more perilous.

Gianfranco Zola and Steve Clarke have a full squad available to take on nemesis visitors Bolton at the Boleyn for yet another 'six' pointer. West Ham: 01 Green 15 Upson 18 Spector 30 Tomkins 08 Parker 14 Kovac 20 Faubert 21 Behrami 10 Franco 12 Cole 32 Alessandro Diamanti Substitutes 29 Stech, 22 Da Costa, 33 Daprela, 07 Dyer, 46 Stanislas, 09 Ilan, 11 Mido

Despite the shortcomings of his West Ham team mate, Mathew Upson, Robert Green all but ensured his position as number one goal keeper in England manager Fabio Capello's starting line up to face the U.S.A in the forthcoming opening fixture of the F.I.F.A. 2010 World Cup in South Africa, with his steady, if unspectacular, performance against Egypt that saw the host nation eventually triumph 3-1.

In the worst kept secret, Gianluca Nani has finally left West Ham, the club statement is as follows: West Ham United can confirm the club have parted company with technical director Gianluca Nani by mutual consent. He had been at the Boleyn Ground for the past two years since joining from Brescia Calcio in his native Italy. We

Gianfranco Zola and Steve Clarke have not gone for safety with their West Ham team selection to face Manchester Utd at the Theatre of Screams, but there is no Scotty Parker, he is replaced by Mark Noble.

Before Hammers comprehensive victory over visitors Hull City, all the talk was of the match being a 'real six pointer', in the event it could have been a victory by a six goal margin!

Guillermo Franco returns alongside Carlton Cole as Hammers look to nail three points against fellow relegation strugglers Hull City. Another 'six'pointer, Hull are fighting for their lives, as are West Ham. No Jimmy Bullard for the visitors, Mido and Ilan start on the bench for the home side, as do Jack Collison and Mark Noble. West Ham 01 Green 15 Upson 18 Spector 30 Tomkins 08 Parker 14 Kovac 20 Faubert 21 Behrami 10 Franco 12 Cole 32 Alessandro Diamanti Substitutes 29 Stech, 22 Da Costa, 16 Noble, 31 Collison, 46 Stanislas, 09 Ilan, 11 Mido .............................. Hull 01 Myhi

Olympics Minister, Tessa Jowell, will do her best to scupper Hammers proposed move to London’s Olympic Stadium by insisting that the venue’s primary purpose will be to host grand prix athletics.
Part of David Gold and David Suillivan's bid to rescue West Ham involves leaving the Boleyn Ground and moving to the capital’s 80,000 capacity Olympic Stadium in Stratford.

The impending fiscal implosion of Pompey has thrown up a footballing googley, to use a cricketing vernacular. If Portsmouth F.C are wound up in the high court, following their seven day stay of 'execution', West Ham United will be among a host of clubs to suffer a severe negative effect as to their Premiership status.
If Pompey's results are expunged, both the top and bottom of the table will be drastically altered, with London clubs Arsenal and West Ham being most affected.