Bolton 4 West Ham 1

With Ashton, Harewood, and Yossi not starting, with Ferdinand in midfield and with Newton and Ward starting it was not suprising that West Ham looked all at sea at the start of this match. And as the half progessed they seemed to become less and less sure of the formation.

Bolton opened the scoring in the twelfth minute when a long ball into the box was flicked over Hislop, cannoned back off the post and Stelios ran past a static West Ham defence to put the ball in the back of the net.

In the 30th minute, following a number of unforced errors in defence and an awful clearance from Hislop, a 20yrd shot was deflected by Stelios into the net.

In the last few minutes Okocha had two long range shots saved well by Hislop and on the brink of half time Speed scored an overhead shot from close range. In truth Bolton could have been up by at least six at the break.

In the second half Ferdinand dropped back into defence and Benayoun and Dailly came on for Newton and Ward. With this more familiar line-up West Ham began to look their normal selves. In the 75th minute after good work from Etherington on the wing, the ball was pulled back to Yossi, who shot at the keeper and Sheringham scored from the rebound, two yards out. Any slight hopes West Ham had of a comeback were dispelled however almost immediately, when Pedesen drifted on to a ball on the edge of the area unmarked and shot past Hislop.

Obviously Pardew was looking to rest players in this game but his starting formation was naive at the least. West Ham went into this game as the in form team in the league. This game can only have dented their confidence.

West Ham Line-Up

Nigel Reo-Coker has not travelled to Bolton because of illness and is not in today's squad. Marlon Harewood has been named in the squad despite his wife giving birth on Wednesday evening.

Full Squad: Hislop, Bywater, Scaloni, Dailly, Gabbidon, Ferdinand, Ward, Collins, Konchesky, Benayoun, Newton, Mullins, Etherington, Ashton, Sheringham, Harewood, Zamora, Katan.

The game can be watched here. Requires downloading some software, smalll and painless though.

This stream requires no downloading but the only time I watched a game here there was a lot of lag.

Alan Pardew Wins Manager of the Month

Alan Pardew has been named Barclays Premiership Manager of the Month for February.

Presenting the award, Jim Hytner, from the Barclays Awards Panel, said: “Alan Pardew should be congratulated on this award win, West Ham have proved to be more than a match for most teams this season. There is a talented crop of young English players at Upton Park now, and under Pardew's guidance, they will hopefully fulfil their ambitions with both club and country.”

Pardew himself paid tribute to the work of other around him, saying: “This is an award for the tremendous work that the team, squad and staff have put in - not just last month but throughout the season.

”We thank Barclays and it is an honour for the whole club. I believe we have the best backroom staff in the country and this award is a reflection of that.”

Live Streaming of West Ham vs Bolton

Tomorrow's game is available via PPlive, PPstream and TVants. All require a small software download, but this is quick and painless.The software and links to the games are available here.

Alan Pardew today claimed that 4th place in the league was unrealistic this season and that the target was at least 6th place and a place in the UEFA Cup

Barcelona Hammers Association

There has been some speculation on West Ham boards as to the presence of West Ham banners at the Nou Camp during the Barcelona vs. Chelsea Champions League game. The banners in question belong to the Barcelona Hammer Association. According to their website "...they were formed at the end of the Eighties, when a group of Catalans started showing interest in West Ham Utd. In 1994 they decided to form the BHA. After a bit of organisation, a few of the lads decided on making a trip to Upton Park for a 93-94 league match against Norwich. At this game the Associations banner was unveiled, with the legend "Barcelona Hammer"". The interest may have originally begun for no better reason than that there is some similarity in the team colours of both sides.

The next step is obviously to make the link between the two teams more official. I for one think that Barcelona would benefit from some extended loan-swaps between the two squads. I suggest that we take Lionel Messi on loan for a year, whilst Barcelona could only benefit from the Brazillian like skills of Christian Dailly.

Benni Again

From eatsleepsport.com, "Alan Pardew is ready to resurrect a £4million-plus deal in a bid to land FC Porto's South African striker Benni McCarthy in the summer. The Hammers boss has been chasing the 28-year-old since last summer having identified McCarthy as the man to spearhead his side's return to the Premiership.
After seeing off the challenge of Blackburn Rovers and having a £4.4million bid accepted, Pardew looked set to complete a swoop just before the August 31 transfer deadline only for the Portuguese outfit to up their demands at the eleventh hour.

Pardew has since paid a club record £7.25million for Norwich City hitman Dean Ashton and recently tied veteran Teddy Sheringham to a new contract.

However, renewed reports insist the boss remains intent on landing his initial target to bolster his forward line to build on this season's achievements next term."

West Ham Linked with Spanish Under-21 Star

West Ham United have been linked with a summer move for Osasuna midfielder Raul Garcia. The 19-year-old has already caught the eye of Chelsea and Manchester United this term following a string of impressive displays in La Liga.

The Spanish Under-21 international recently said of interest from England, "Whatever happens, if anything at all, will happen at the end of the season. At the moment I am paying no attention and only thinking about Osasuna."

West Ham and Man Utd to Bid for Aldo Duscher

According to tribalfootball.com Alan Pardew has invited Duscher to London to visit Upton Park.

However, in recent days a United intermediary has contacted Deportive president Augusto Cesar Lendoiro and informed him they're willing to begin the bidding at £7 million for the Argentina international.

Glen Roeder Talks Crap

Glenn Roeder today described his ... "time as manager at West Ham as like hitting the inside of the post and the ball coming out."

A more accurate description would be that he had an open goal but somehow managed to send the ball 100 yards in the wrong direction, where it landed in his own net.

Okocha and Bruno N'Gotty doubtful for West Ham Match

It is believed that Bolton could be without Jay-Jay Okocha and Bruno N'Gotty for the West Ham game, this coming Saturday, after the duo picked up injuries in the defeat against Newcastle.

West Ham after Upson and Pennant

Even more transfer rumours. According to The Mirror West Ham are chasing Birmingham City pair Matthew Upson and Jermaine Pennant. Pardew is said to be a fan of both players, both of whom also fit into his policy of buying young English talent. Birmingham would resist all offers but their hand might be forced if they are relegated.

Charlton Athletic manager Alan Curbishley has dismissed speculation that defender Luke Young could leave the Valley. The England international has been linked with a £5million move to West Ham United, reports that the Addicks boss was eager to play down. "Luke rang me up from the England training camp and said he hadn't said anything. He doesn't know where this story has come from."

West Ham After Luke Young?

Alan Pardew has apologised to Chuckle brother Phil Neville after they exchanged words on the touchline yesterday. Expect Mourinho to make a similar apology for his behaviour sometime today (not).

Fansfc today joined the speculation over West Ham's right back position. They report that West Ham are ready to offer £5 million for want away Charlton defender Luke Young. - fansfc