 | #9. Birmingham City versus West Ham UnitedLocation: St. Andrew's Park (Birmingham)Date: Saturday, November 6 Time: 11:00 a.m. Eastern Records (W-D-L, +/-, Place): Brum, 2-5-3, -2, 15th West Ham, 1-3-6, -11, 20th |  |
English Premier League Week 11 Preview: Five Reasons To Watch Birmingham City Host West Ham United
Ranked number nine on our matches to watch list, we seem to be hinting that West Ham’s visit to Brum is one to avoid. Actually, we’re not only hinting it, at all. We’re outright saying “Don’t watch,” but in this preview, we change out tune (while acknowledging we have some work to do). Why, after telling you not to watch, should you devote time to a match between the English Premier League’s 15th and 20th placed teams?
1. Roger Johnson - Johnson's ankle injury may keep him out, but this is still a good chance to ask: Why hasn't the West Ham center back been called into the England team? Perhaps because he's late to the party, now 27-years-old. But if Kevin Davies can debut at 33, Johnson can't be considered too old. For and England team that has recently employed the likes of Matthew Upson, Jamie Carragher and Joleon Lescott in central defense, Johnson has to be given more consideration.
2. Parker without Noble - West Ham's Scott Parker and Mark Noble have been one of the best central midfield duo's in the league, allowing manager Avram Grant to deploy some very aggressive, four attacker formations. On Saturday, the Hammers start a spell without Noble, who'll miss recovering from an appendix surgery. While Parker had been the more acclaimed of the pair (earning the media's crocodile tears when he was omitted from the England World Cup squad), Noble's been the stronger player this season. Parker will have to start playing to Noble's level to compensate for the loss.
3. West Ham's trying - It's an effort you can see in how Grant's tinkered with his team, for limited stretches playing what looks like a four attacker/forward formation. That set-up sees Frederic Piquionne, Victor Obinna, Kieron Dyer and Luis Boa Morte playing very high ahead of Noble and Parker. While it's unlikely that will be a long term formula for success, it could work against more conservative sides (say, Birmingham City). At a minimum, it makes it interesting to watch the Hammers and try to figure out what on earth they're going to do.
4. Goals to be had - Brum was one of the stingiest teams last season, but it's taken them some time to adjust to the loss of Joe Hart. They're mid-table in goals allowed and facing a West Ham side with no lack of attackers. Going the other way, the Blues are going to be shooting at Robert Green. 'Nuff said.
5. Every point counts - Every once in a while, you’ll hear somebody claim (usually with the false arrogance of ignorance) most matches in England don’t matter. The thinking goes: Before the season starts, you know which three or four teams are going to contend for the title, and without playoffs, what do the other matches matter? Tell that to two teams who are struggling to avoid the drop. If you’re relegated, you’re kicked out of the freaking league, and when you have two possible relegation candidates facing each other, it’s beyond trite to reduce it to “every point counts.” Regardless, Birmingham versus West Ham certainly matters, even if the match-up is something less than romantic.
Probable Lineup, Birmingham City (4-4-2): Foster - Ridgewell, Dann, Johnson, Carr - Fahey, Gardner, Ferguson, Larsson - Hleb, Zigic
Probably Lineup, West Ham (4-3-3): Green - Ilunga, Gabbidon, da Costa, Jacobson - Parker, Behrami, Dyer - Boa Morte, Obinna, Piquionne
Key Matchup: West Ham's army of attackers versus the Birmingham back line. The four faces in the Brum defense have been ridiculously regular presences over the Premier League's last two seasons. In the visiting Hammers, they'll have to deal with Boa Morte, Obinna, Piquionne as well as the differences that can be brought by Carlton Cole, Benny McCarthy, and the doubtful Junior Stanislas. Avram Grant could employ a number combinations, each giving a different look and tactic. It will be up to the Birmingham quartet to adjustment.
Battle Within The Battle: Both Rob Green and Ben Foster have been gaff-masters over the last few seasons. A howler from either will be especially painful on Saturday. Both teams will expect to win this one, and to see your goalkeeper let in a soft one in a close match could be back breaking, even if you're used to it.
Pick: Sometimes I go with the team that wants it more, especially when two similarly talented teams are matched-up. I sense Brum is scared by their poor start. I’m not sure West Ham’s motley crew cares that much. I’ll take Birmingham City 2 (Larsson 26’, Jerome 82’), West Ham 1 (Obinna 47’)
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