What: English Championship
Who: West Ham United vs Cardiff City
When: Sunday 7th August 2011, at 13.00 UK Time
Where: Upton Park, London, England
Destination Premier League
Sam Allardyce, the new man in the West Ham hotseat, has only one objective this season: promotion. Speaking in the build-up to the Hammers’ opener against Cardiff City, the former Bolton Wanderers boss admits that he will be fired if he fails to deliver; "It’s my responsibility to get them there [the Premier League] and if I don’t I’ll be sacked but I’ve got the experience to get the best out the players."
Allardyce’s appointment was met with a mixed reaction from the Hammers’ faithful, concerned about the style of football that the ex-Newcastle United manager may employ. But West Ham’s new chief insists he can entertain despite a perception that his teams, historically, have offered a more direct style. Allardyce said: “The West Ham way is about winning football matches and the enjoyment of winning. I’m in the game to play winning football and entertain the public, and that’s what I do. I have to instil a bit of discipline, magic and creativity. Everywhere I’ve been I entertain the public.”
Key to West Ham’s hopes this season will be Kevin Nolan. The attacking midfielder shocked English football when he decided to leave Newcastle United and drop down a division to join forces again with Allardyce at the start of the summer. Importantly Nolan has delivered at this level before. He was the Championship’s top scorer in Newcastle United’s promotion year two seasons ago and he will be looking for a similar return this season with his new club.
And for the time being Allardyce can also utilise the services of Scott Parker. The England international remains a West Ham player despite a summer of speculation, although it seems only a matter of time before he does move on. Goalkeeper Robert Green and striker Carlton Cole also remain at the club.
Nearly Men Start Again
It has been a summer of change at the Cardiff City stadium after another playoff failure. Manager Dave Jones paid the ultimate price for another near miss and was sacked, with his replacement former Watford manager Malky Mackay, who has been given the task of finally securing promotion to the Premier League.
Gone is last season’s top scorer Jay Bothroyd along with Michael Chopra and Chris Burke. And after a successful loan spell Craig Bellamy has returned to parent club Manchester City. Nine players have landed at the club including a new strike force of Kenny Miller and Robert Earnshaw, who rejoins the team where he made his name.
Scottish International Miller admits that the Bluebirds’ opener away to West Ham is a tough start, but believes they can travel back from London with the three points: “There’s no doubt it’s a big start for us. It doesn’t get any tougher. West Ham are favourites for the league and rightly so, they have a strong squad. But we have a good team too, it’s a new squad, a new manager and we have no doubts we will give it a go and go there to win the game."
Recent form
West Ham United:
West Ham United 2-0 Real Zaragoza (30/07; Friendly)
Dagenham & Redbridge 0-1 West Ham United (26/07; Friendly)
Wycombe Wanderers 0-0 West Ham United (23/07; Friendly)
Cardiff City:
Cardiff City 0-0 Parma (30/07; Friendly)
Yeovil Town 1-1 Cardiff City
(26/07; Friendly)
Bournemouth 2-1 Cardiff City (23/07; Friendly)
Key absences
West Ham United: None
Cardiff City: Paul Quinn, Stephen McPhail
Players to watch
West Ham United – Scott Parker: It is unlikely that Scott Parker will be a West Ham player when the transfer window shuts on 1st September, but the midfield general will still want to impress England manager Fabio Capello with crucial Euro 2012 qualifiers on the horizon. Expect a typical all-action display from the West Ham skipper.
Cardiff City – Peter Whittingham: Whittingham has been ‘Mr Consistent’ for the Bluebirds over the last few seasons, weighing in with assists and goals on a regular basis. The former Aston Villa player is a proven match winner at this level and can be a difference-maker here.
Match Predicition
Both managers are under pressure to get their respective campaigns off to a good start although arguably Sam Allardyce is expected to produce instant results. The Hammers faithful will expect a win at home in their opener and will become frustrated if things don’t go their way in the first half an hour. If the side from the Welsh capital can keep things tight in the first 45 minutes they should be able to leave East London with a share of the spoils.
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