City have the oportunity yet again to record back to back wins, this time it will be an away double if they succeed. Given their poor away form for so long, this is not very likely, especially with their key talisman of Joey Barton suspended.
Vital Quotes:
Pearce talks about our inconsistency:
The one thing that has really held us back over this season and last is that we have not been able to string back-to-back wins together,’ Stuart says.
‘Two or three wins on the bounce really changes your season within a week, especially over Christmas when the games come thick and fast.
He then goes on to talk about our form with West Ham at their ground:
West Ham’s not an easy place to win football matches, and Curbs will have had more time with them on the training pitch by now. They had a great win against Man United, a good point at Fulham and now they will be disappointed after the loss to Portsmouth, so we have to make sure we are not on the end of a reaction from them. We have got to turn up and perform, so that it is West Ham who get the reaction from us.’
West Ham Team News:
West Ham are without midfielder Nigel Reo-Coker and defender Paul Konchesky, as both serve bans.
James Collins is back in training following a groin injury, while Dean Ashton continues his rehabilitation from a broken ankle
Player to watch: Matthew Etherington
Has the ability to cause defences a lot of problems.
Manchester City Team News:
Manchester City defender Micah Richards could be pushed into midfield, with Dietmar Hamann (back) and Claudio Reyna (hamstring) out and Joey Barton banned. If Stuart Pearce sticks with his 3-5-2 formation and brings Thatcher in at left back.
Paul Dickov (toe) and Darius Vassell (groin) are both major doubts.
Player to watch: Hatem Trabelsi
He is an intelligent and creative footballer
Match Facts & Stats
City have a poor record at the Boleyn ground only gaining 1 point from 18 in premiership matches there.
Ref Watch:
The official premier league site still has Rob Styles but the BBC site has us down as Steve Bennett – our refereed the opening league fixture at Stamford Bridge where he sent Corradi of and booked Dickov and Dabo.
Match Prediction:
City to look good in patches, but West Ham sneak a sloppy goal to win 1-0.
Next Fixtures:
Everton at Home – 3pm Jan 1st(New Years Day).