Source: Team_Talk
Clarke hopes for a Collins 'stinker'
The Wales centre-back left the Hammers for Aston Villa for £5million on this summer's transfer deadline day.[LNB]In the three Premier League games Collins played for West Ham this season, they kept two clean sheets - since his departure, the London club have shipped at least two goals in all but one of their matches.[LNB]Gianfranco Zola's men find themselves second from bottom in the division, and Collins and Villa will be looking to add to the Hammers' woes at Upton Park on Wednesday.[LNB]Clarke was sad to see the 26-year-old leave and hopes he does not return to the capital to haunt his former side.[LNB]"Circumstances dictated he had to go," Clarke said.[LNB]"He left on very good terms with everybody at the club and he's desperate for us to do well, although I'm sure he'll want to beat us tonight as he's a professional.[LNB]"He's gone, we have to move on from it. I think he says himself he improved during the time myself and Gianfranco have been here. That's pleasing.[LNB]"But I hope he has a stinker tonight though, if I'm honest!"[LNB]Collins has formed a superb partnership with Richard Dunne at the heart of the Villa defence as Martin O'Neill's men set about attempting to break into the top four and the Champions League positions.[LNB]West Ham's backline, meanwhile, is as porous as they come, something that is giving Clarke - the former Scotland and Chelsea full-back - sleepless nights.[LNB]"We have conceded 14 goals in the last six games - that's too many and we know that," he added.[LNB]"We are working as hard as we can to address that. Confidence is one of the reasons. If you aren't winning matches, confidence goes.[LNB]"You become over-anxious to win, and you can leave yourself a little bit open."[LNB]Scott Parker returns from suspension for West Ham tonight, but Radoslav Kovac is banned as a result of his sending off against Sunderland last weekend.[LNB]The Hammers, without a win since the opening weekend of the season, drew that game against Sunderland 2-2 on Saturday despite going two goals up after 36 minutes.[LNB]Clarke is demanding a victory, adding: "That was a game we should have got three points from - we didn't and we have to take that on the chin.[LNB]"What we need to do is put all the good things together and get the win that we need."[LNB][LNB]
