The Opposition – West Ham

The Hammers have had a turbulent season but their top flight status was secured by beating Wigan 3-2 at Upton Park in their last home game.

The Hammers have struggled for mist of the season after getting off to a good start with a 2-0 win at Wolves. That win on 15^th August was their only league victory until 4^th November when Aston Villa were beaten at Upton Park, a run that saw the Hammers fail to win in nine attempts.

Their problems on the filed during the early part of the season were highlighted when The Hammers were drawn against their bitter rivals Millwall in the Carling Cup and following a Hammers equaliser, a pitch invasion took place and violence was reported before and after the game.

Ownership problems have also blighted the club in recent years. In 2006, Icelandic pair Eggert Magnusson and Björgólfur Guðmundsson bought the club but Magnusson only lasted a year and Guðmundsson but by the beginning of 2010, The Hammers had new owners on the shape of former Birmingham pair David Gold and David Sullivan.

Despite the new owners, West Ham continued to struggle and were dumped out of the FA Cup 2-1 by Arsenal and had to wait until 10^th February for their first win of the year, a 2-0 home win over Birmingham. Since then, they have recorded just three further wins but survived relegation mainly due to the form of Hull City and Burnley.

 Manager – Gianfranco Zola

 

Former Chelsea star Zola has been in charge at Upton Park since September 2008, replacing Alan Curbishley in the West Ham hot seat. But his managerial statistics show that Zola has a lot to learn as his win ratio is just 29%, having won just 23 from 79 games.

Ground – Upton Park

Upton Park has been West Ham’s home since 1904 and has a current capacity of 35,303.

West Ham Facts

Upton Park is the more common name of West Ham’s ground but its true name is the Boleyn Ground, named because the famous wife of Henry VIII either owned or rented the Green Street house in the area.

West Ham have had surprisingly few managers. Since they were founded, only 12 men have occupied the hot seat.

Although the capacity of Upton Park is 35,303, a game against City in September 2002 attracted 35,550 spectators. Work that one out.