Scouting The Doubles – West Ham

Nearing the end of our double gameweek analysis, we now take a look at West Ham. The arrival of new owners David Sullivan and David Gold saw something of a revival on the pitch, but any optimism has been well and truly doused as the Hammers perilously perch above the relegation places. Can they climb from the foot of the table and – more importantly – garner points for FPL managers this double gameweek?

The Opponents

First up, the Hammers travel to the Emirates to face an Arsenal side boosted by the return of Cesc Fabregas. The Gunners are back in the title race after five straight wins, and have won twelve of their fifteen home games this season. However, for all of Arsenal’s possession and chances, they made hard-work of recent home wins against Sunderland and Burnley. Add to that a side that will always give you chances, and there’s a potential away goal here.

Back in East London, West Ham then host Wolves on Tuesday night. Mick McCarthy’s side notched up a vital victory at Turf Moor, but that was against the league’s weakest defence. Conversely, Wolves are the league’s lowest scorers, but a relatively tight defence given their league position – ten goals conceded in their last nine games against the likes of Manchester United, Chelsea, Spurs and Liverpool – means West Ham will need to be incisive.

Current Form

Frankly, West Ham aren’t in great nick. The Hammers have played at Old Trafford and Stamford Bridge in the last three weeks, but a decent home record in 2010 – including good wins against Hull and Birmingham last month – was besmeared by a Bolton side who ran amok at Upton Park and who were much more dominant than the 1-2 scoreline suggested. That result was a real body-blow for West Ham, and it remains to be seen whether they can pick themselves up after three straight defeats.

Rotation Risk

Oh yes – and for two main reasons.

Firstly, indifferent performances from players over the past few weeks – along with injuries and tactical decisions – has made for a fluid flux in the Hammers first team. Indeed, the plot of Gianfranco’s return to the Bridge last week was overshadowed by his team-sheet: Alessandro Diamanti made way for Ilan, while Mido came in after Carlton Cole hadn’t trained enough in the run-up to the game. To compound the conundrum for this DGW, Benni McCarthy is now back to full fitness.

Secondly, given the Hammers’s plight, the home tie with Wolves is a must-win game. Anything gained from the Emirates would be a bonus, and Zola’s team selection may reflect the priorities of a team fighting at the foot of the table. With Mark Noble back from injury, already Scott Parker has been “rested” for the Emirates trip.

Potential Targets

While the visit of Wolves could well see a home clean-sheet, this will not happen at the Emirates and – if Arsenal are particularly rampant – deducted points for goals conceded could virtually make this a single gameweek for a Hammers defender. Offensive investments have chances in both matches (provided they play, of course) and these are the only real selections worth pondering.

Carlton Cole

A sub at Chelsea, it remains to be seen whether he has sufficiently overcome his knee injury and trained enough to start against Arsenal. However, he is still West Ham’s best goalscorer and must surely start against Wolves. West Ham desperately missed Cole when he was out at the end of 2009, and he will be pivotal for the Hammers if they escape the clutches of relegation. Given his £6.4 million price though, you may want to pick another Hammer…
Predicted Return: 1 goal, 1 Bonus Point

Alessandro Diamanti

Diamanti has been a shrewd investment so far for faithful FPL managers – at £5.3 million, the Italian bags bonus points (seven in his last three home games), he’s very handy from set-pieces and he represents the best value for a West Ham attacking player. Diamanti lost his place in the starting line-up against Chelsea as Zola tried to inject pace into the flanks, but an uninspiring display from Ilan could well see him back in favour on the left-wing.
Predicted Return: 1 goal, 2 Bonus Points