What: English Championship
Who: West Ham United vs Leeds United
When: Sunday 21st August 2011, at 13.15 UK Time
Where: Upton Park, London, England
Solid Start for Allardyce
Despite a disappointing opening day defeat to Cardiff City, Sam Allardyce can be content with the start he has made as West Ham boss. The Hammers followed up the Cardiff reverse with a 1-0 win at Doncaster Rovers and a resounding 4-0 success at Watford. Now the Londoners can switch their attention back to the East End and hope to get their home account up and running against Leeds United.
Scott Parker’s future has dominated the build up to the Leeds clash with the England midfielder heavily linked with a move to Premier League outfit Queens Park Rangers. But despite this distraction, Hammers striker Carlton Cole has admitted that confidence amongst the squad is high after the two victories on the road: “The manager is chuffed by the way we play and the style of football we played. We are really happy. It helps breed confidence, two clean sheets in a row – I can’t remember the last time we had that.”
Difficult Start for Grayson
Leeds manager Simon Grayson has endured a difficult start to the campaign. An opening day defeat to Southampton followed by a home loss against Middlesbrough was not the beginning to the season the former Blackpool boss was looking for in the club’s quest for promotion. Supporters also used the Middlesbrough fixture as a platform to protest against club chairman Ken Bates; fans are frustrated at a perceived lack of investment in the playing squad over the summer.
And now the club threatens to be engulfed in a war of words after Bates described the supporters who protested as “morons” which has resulted in a robust response from the Leeds United Supporters Trust.
Despite the off-the-field turmoil it is not all doom and gloom. An impressive 4-1 victory over Yorkshire rivals Hull City has eased any pressure Grayson might have been feeling and the boss is upbeat with the West Ham clash approaching. “We’ve had a belief in what we are doing and not got down when things haven’t gone our way in the last couple of games", said the Leeds boss. "There’s a belief amongst the players that the victory against Hull could be the start of something now.”
Recent form
West Ham United:
West Ham United 0-1 Cardiff City (07/08; Championship)
Doncaster Rovers 0-1 West Ham United (13/08; Championship)
Watford 0-4 West Ham United (16/08; Championship)
Leeds United:
Leeds United 3-2 Bradford City (09/08; League Cup)
Leeds United 0-1 Middlesbrough (13/08; Championship)
Leeds United 4-1 Hull City (16/08; Championship)
Key absences
West Ham United: James Tomkins (doubt)
Leeds United: Leigh Bromby, Ben Parker, Luciano Becchio, Billy Paynter (doubt)
Players to watch
West Ham United – Carlton Cole: The England international hitman has the ability to take the Championship by storm but he is a confidence player. Given this, Cole’s goal at Watford should be the catalyst for strong and consistent performances from West Ham’s striking jewel.
Leeds United – Jonny Howson: The Leeds skipper was suspended for the victory over Hull City after receiving a red card in the previous fixture against Middlesbrough, and Grayson has indicated that Howson is not guaranteed to walk straight back into the starting eleven. Nevertheless, his energy and battling qualities will be desperately needed against a West Ham midfield of Kevin Nolan, Jack Collison and Scott Parker.
Match Predicition
West Ham’s potential downfall this season is not being able to deal with pressure from the home crowd. The Hammers have been clinical on their travels, but failed to impress in the opener at home against Cardiff. They must now produce a performance on home soil.
Leeds will be hoping to build on their win against Hull City and will travel to London confident of being able to return north with at least a point. Unfortunately for Grayson his side will be in for a tough afternoon and the Londoners will do just enough to claim all three points.
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