Sunday, 22 May 2011 Barclays Premier League West Ham v Sunderland 16:00 TEAM NEWS West Ham first-team coach Kevin Keen will take charge of Sunday's game following Avram Grant's departure. The Hammers will assess Scott Parker, who did not appear fully fit when he made his return from an Achilles injury as a substitute at Wigan last weekend. Sunderland could welcome back striker Asamoah Gyan, who is back in training following a hamstring problem. Defender Anton Ferdinand could also make his comeback from injury at Upton Park. West Ham Doubtful: Parker (Achilles), Stanislas (match fitness), Upson (leg) Injured: Dyer (hamstring), Kurucz (knee), Noble (stomach), O'Neil (ankle) Sunderland Doubtful: Ferdinand & Gyan (both hamstring) Injured: Bramble, Campbell, Gordon, Meyler & Turner (all knee), Cattermole (back), Richardson (calf), Welbeck (hamstring) PREVIEW BY MOTD COMMENTATOR JOHN RODER So where do West Ham go from here? Who is going to sign up as their next manager? Plenty of questions, but not much in the way of answers in a troubled week for the Hammers. It will be very interesting being at Upton Park for the last match of the season - there's no getting away from the fact that this game will mark the final appearance in claret and blue for quite a few players. It would be a surprise if this match ends 0-0 Sunderland assured their Premier League future several weeks back, but the effect of Darren Bent's departure to Aston Villa is clear for all to see. His last appearance for the Black Cats was against Newcastle in mid-January. After the 1-1 draw that day Sunderland had 34 points; in the 14 matches since then they've taken just 10 points. Yet despite that run, Sunderland need only a draw to register their best Premier League points total for 10 years. Kevin Keen will be in charge of West Ham, and he has said this week that he wants to be considered for the managerial vacancy. The last time I was at Upton Park was the Hammers' most recent victory, over Stoke in early March. Since then they have claimed only two points from a possible 24. However, Sunderland have conceded 32 goals in their last 13 matches, so it would be a surprise if this match ends 0-0. MATCH FACTS Head-to-head ââ¬Â¢The Hammers have won their last six Premier League games against Sunderland at Upton Park. ââ¬Â¢It is over a decade since the Black Cats' last top-flight win at West Ham - Stanislav Varga and Don Hutchison scored in a 2-0 victory on 13 January 2001. West Ham ââ¬Â¢The Hammers have taken two points from a possible 24. ââ¬Â¢West Ham's collapse at Wigan was the first time they had failed to win a Premier League away game in which they led 2-0 at half-time. ââ¬Â¢If this season's Premier League matches ended at half-time, the Hammers would be safe in 15th place with 42 points. Sunderland ââ¬Â¢The Black Cats need a draw to register their biggest top-flight points total for 10 years. ââ¬Â¢They have dropped 23 points from winning positions this season - only Aston Villa (26 points) have fared worse. ââ¬Â¢Sunderland have conceded 32 goals in their last 13 matches. LEADING GOALSCORERS West Ham Cole: 11 goals (5 league); Piquionne: 9 goals (6 league) Sunderland Gyan: 11 goals (10 league); Welbeck: 6 goals (6 league) MATCH OFFICIALS Referee: Anthony Taylor Assistant referees: Simon Long & Ceri Richards Fourth official: Andy D'Urso
got a feeling he will play some part, bruce will want the win, to keep the wolves from his door. and ellis short will see it as extra cash for bruce to spend.
I see Ashley has promised a 500k bonus to spread around if Newcastle beat WBA, maybe we aint the only ones who would like bragging rights!
just been reading that, but remember the mags said on here they weren't bothered who finished higher, next season is when it matters, sounds like it matters to pie man and co.
I've read that some of the West Ham players who will be leaving in the summer do not want to play today
Written by a weather forecaster? You know the sort of thing - "a dry day with the possibility of showers".
If there's any problem at all with Gyan, he shouldn't play any part in the game, however, we've seen it time and time again this season, so I wouldn't be surprised at all if a half fit Gyan starts today ahead of 100% fit strikers, Noble and Lynch. I hope I'm wrong...
I still would like to see the youths play a larger part in our last game, (even though it will be a tough game as the Hammers will want to go out on high). I think it will let us see what they are made of and if they have the chops for the premier league.
Possibly has this in his mind yea, but I personally think the reasoning is that it puts us up into the top half. Here's to the north east duo winning today
SAFC: Mignolet, Ferdinand, Bardsley, Onuoha, Zenden, Malbranque, Henderson, Colback, Elmohamady, Sessegnon and Gyan Subs: Carson, Riveros, Noble, Adams, Cook, Knott and Lynch West Ham: Green, Spence, Bridge, Gabbidon, Tomkins, Sears, Collison, Hitzlsperger, Boa Morte, Hines and Piquionne Subs: Boffin, Jacobsen, Kovac, Parker, Stanislas, Obinna, Tombides No Mensah in the squad, surely that means he won't be returning next season. Good news to have Gyan and Ferdinand back. Hopefully Zenden gets the winner in his final game for us
Just to add that extra bite 15 Blackburn 37 -14 40 16 Wolves 37 -19 40 17 Birmingham 37 -20 39 ________________________________________ 18 Blackpool 37 -21 39 19 Wigan 37 -22 39 20R West Ham 37 -24 33 WOLVES v BLACKBURN If there is a positive result then the winner is safe. The loser will go down if two from Birmingham, Blackpool or Wigan win. If the match is drawn both sides would go down if the three below them all win. If two manage it, Wolves would be the unlucky ones due to their goal difference. So close is the goal difference at the bottom, Wolves could go down with a heavy loss if two of those below them draw. Tottenham v BIRMINGHAM Birmingham will be cursing Liverpool for losing at home to Spurs on Sunday as it means Harry Redknapp’s team will be going all guns blazing for the win that would secure them a Europa League spot. A home win, coupled with a draw for either Blackpool or Wigan would mean the Carling Cup winners playing in the Europa League as a Championship side. Again goal difference could be a factor. If The Blues win 1-0, Blackpool win 2-0 and Wigan win 3-0, they would go down on GOALS SCORED, provided Wolves and Blackburn don’t draw. Man Utd v BLACKPOOL The Seasiders have a very simple task in order to stay up – do better at Old Trafford than Birmingham do at White Hart Lane and Wigan at The Britannia Stadium! It’s so close that, depending on those results they could stay up with a loss or go down with a win. Stoke City v WIGAN Wigan fans will be nervously keeping tabs on the goings on at White Hart Lane and Old Trafford. If other results are kind then a draw would do, but even a win will be no good if Blackpool and Birmingham match their result. If, however, those two both get thumped then a 1-0 loss could actually see them jump from 19th to 17th - and safety!
I am in heaven, 3 games live on sky, as it stands table, the boys on the radio in my ear, Osca fast asleep
Just noticed Bruce make an effort to shake Scott Parkers hand.......am I reading too much into that??
