Hammers Confident of Victory

Last updated : 14 March 2002 By Mike Reich

Paolo: Up for the game
In the most recent WestHammersFC poll, 51.5% of those that voted thought that the Irons would scrape a win against Man U this weekend, whilst 24.2% thought that a draw would be on the cards, like last seasons' result at Upton Park. That game saw West Ham come from two goals down to draw 2-2 following Paolo di Canio converting a penalty won by Joe Cole and Davor Suker netting his first in claret and blue.

Only 15.1% predicted a Hammers loss with most of them predicting an easy victory for Man U, and an extremely optimisitic 9.1% of fans thought that West Ham would deal out a thrashing to the Reds. The full results are at the bottom of this article.

The latest vote concerns who Glenn should pick in attack to face Man U. Should Jermain be relegated to the bench again? Is he better coming on as a super-sub in the second half? Or should Glenn just go for it and play all three?

Meanwhile the players certainly sound as though they are up for the challenge, with Nigel Winterburn telling the club site: "Every game you have got to keep looking forward; it will be a difficult game against Manchester United but we have given ourselves a platform to move on again - and hopefully we will."

Paolo di Canio, who almost joined Man U in the summer says of the match "I am very happy to play with my armband and my claret and blue shirt against Manchester United and do my best for my supporters and my team. I feel part of this squad with the shirt and I don't see why I have to change.

"Man United need a special concentration and a special performance from all the members of our squad, every single one, if we want to have a good result," he insists.

"They are very good players and if you give them just two or three chances you know you will be punished. I will try to give my best as usual but, like my team mates, I have to do something more."

Latest West Ham United Poll Result:
What Will The Result Against Man U Be?
Scraped Win51.5%
Draw24.2%
Reds Thrashing12.1%
Easy Victory9.1%
Narrow Loss3.0%