Thanks to Jo at West Ham Online for the following West Ham viewpoint ahead of Reading's trip to Upton Park this Saturday:
What's
your best advice for getting to the ground from Reading? Train or drive?
Can't offer much advice here except to say that parking near the ground is
very tricky. Unless you get there very early expect a 15 min walk to your
car and then you're bound to be stuck in traffic for ages on the way back.
Using the tube after the match there's also a stupidly long queue but it does
move relatively swiftly.
Who
would you most like as your new manager?
Pardew. None of the candidates we've been linked with has excited me as much.
George Graham? No thanks. Dowie or Pearce might possibly be great managers
but would be risky appointments. Brooking's done brilliantly but his heart's
obviously not in it, plus he's never had to deal with much pressure, just
2 'honeymoon periods.' Also managing the team full time is eventually bound
to effect his heroic reputation amongst Hammers fans, I don't want a fallen
hero!
Do
you think Pardew is the right man for the job?
Everything I've heard about him makes me think he's an excellent manager.
We were unlucky in our last appointment, the club wanted Curbishley and got
turned down, then McClaren was on the point of signing but Middlesbrough nipped
in and got him. Hiring Roeder was a desperation move. Glad the board are prepared
to do anything it takes to get the right man for the job, rather than gambling
on an inexperienced manager again.
How long will West Ham be prepared to wait to get Pardew?
By all accounts the board wanted Brooking to manage the team permanently -
and we're unbeaten in games he's been in charge - so I'd say if Brooking's
prepared to fill in we'll happily wait as long as it takes. Not sure how Brooking
feels about this plan, but I suspect he's able and willing to do the job for
a month or two at least. Heard a few rumours we may get Stuart Pearce in to
help out as assistant, not sure if that's just Bollox though!
Predictions
for Saturday?
I'm fairly confident of a Hammer's win, the atmosphere was fantastic last
match with the relief of the Rodents dismissal and claret and blue hero Trevor
Brooking in charge. I predict the return of the old 'fortress Upton Park',
any team used to fear playing us at home, I expect Reading players to be a
more than little bit nervous on Saturday!
Reading
- going up this season?
It sounds like you've got a great team, managerless or not. You should be
able to attract a great new boss too. Hope you do go up, I'm a little bit
guilty about the unsporting conduct of our club. I also suspect Pardew will
do the dirty on us sooner or later too, hope we give him a contract that means
we're well compensated when he leaves for Spurs or whoever. Strangely I'm
even praying that Hoddle's team does well so that they don't get Pardew before
we do!
West
Ham - going up this season?
We've got a great team but not a big squad, if we get injuries to key players
I predict the playoffs. If everyone stays fit we should be top two.
Danger
men for West Ham and Reading?
Don't know much about your team, but you should watch out for Connolly and
Defoe. You'll need a great defence to stop them scoring.... Expect 3 up front
and very attacking football from us.
