West Ham United FC

• Nickname:
• Founded:1895
• Manager:Avram Grant

• Ground:
• Capacity:NaN

Preview: West Ham v Bolton

19 Aug 2010 - 13:45:54

Click To Enlarge

West Ham United will be trying to offer their long-suffering fans some cheer when they take on Bolton Wanderers at Upton Park on Saturday.

New manager Avram Grant faces a difficult test as he attempts to rejuvenate the Hammers after last season's struggles and, with past experience at the top and bottom of the Premier League with Chelsea and Portsmouth, he should be able to cope with life in the East End.

He will have been as disappointed as anyone last weekend though when his flagging side crashed to a dispiriting 3-0 defeat at managerless Aston Villa.

Efforts by Stewart Downing and Stiliyan Petrov before the break handed caretaker boss Kevin MacDonald a dream start before James Milner added a third on his Villa Park farewell before his transfer to Manchester City.

But with a spine of England internationals in Robert Green, Matthew Upson, Scott Parker and Carlton Cole, West Ham should provide a more steely effort this time out.

The Trotters, under Owen Coyle, will be no pushovers and, with Jussi Jaaskelainen, Gary Cahill, Fabrice Muamba and Johan Elmander impressing during their goalless draw with Fulham, their manager will be hoping for another stout display in the capital.

However, midfielder Gavin McCann is still bothered by an ankle problem and Joey O'Brien is no closer to a return as he continues his recovery from a knee injury.

West Ham will be without a trio of knee victims in Peter Kurucz, Zavon Hines and Jack Collison for the foreseeable future.

Last term at Upton Park, the Trotters secured a fine 2-1 success in March after Kevin Davies' header and Jack Wilshere's volley had placed the visitors in control.

Although Alessandro Diamanti notched with just minutes remaining, the Lancashire side held out for the win.

Meanwhile, at the Reebok Stadium last December, the hosts completed a 3-1 victory. Chung-Yong Lee slotted home just after the hour to open the scoring, but Diamanti equalised just five minutes later.

Ivan Klasnic pounced with 13 minutes to go and Cahill wrapped up the points from Ricardo Gardner's corner at the death.