This afternoon brings around the Premiership’s most anticipated fixture of the season, well for Bolton fan’s anyway.
Bolton will be trotting down to the Boleyn ground this weekend aiming for their seventh (not a typo) victory in succession against the hammers in all competitions.
This fixture has become somewhat of a joy for the northerners whilst West Ham fans describe the fixture, against Bolton Wanderers anti-Football Club as they are also known by non-Boltonians, as their worst of the season.
The Hammers haven’t beaten the Wanderers since way back in 2007, when Bolton were qualifying for Europe, although things were about to turn for them following the departure of Big Sam the previous weekend. It was so long ago in fact that Carlos Tevez scored two of the goals in the 3-1 victory.
Speaking of 3-1 victories, this is the score line the Wanderers have won by in three out of the last six games against the Clarets.
One player relishing this fixture is Kevin Cyril Davies, who in East London mythology is described as being 10 feet tall, with two heads and razor blades for studs, but to Bolton fans is an honest pro/legend.
Big Kev as he is commonly called has a penchant for scoring in this fixture almost as often as Robert Green makes a mistake in it. In fact, he could almost be described as a goal machine when playing against West Ham scoring in five of the last six meetings.
The game is Avram Grant’s first at Upton Park and he will be hoping his team bounce back from the humiliation suffered at Villa last weekend when the team were in a giving mood on the opening day of the season, as they conceded three goals.
Both teams will be hoping to score their first goals of the season and gaining three points although a draw would not be seen as a disaster for either team at this early stage.
Key Men Watch:
West Ham – Scott ‘The Warrior’ Parker
The heartbeat of the team. This player is the soul of West Ham and most moves often involve him, so keeping him out of the game will be a key component for the Wanderers. The man tackles, shoots and never stops running throughout the game and if the hammers can hold on to him, it could prove to be the best bit of business in the transfer window.
Bolton Wanderers – Kevin ‘The Beast’ Davies
The battle ram of Bolton’s attack, West Ham know what a threat he can be. The Wanderers may gradually be changing their style of football but if they have Big Kev up top, then why not play to his strengths, especially against a team that usually gives him a free reign to head what he likes. Upson and co. will have their work cut out for the full 90 minutes on Saturday afternoon.
