Fortress required

  • by Staff Writer
  • Monday, 27th December 2010

West Ham are looking forward to five home games within the space of 19 days that will go some way to determining the outcome of the club's 2010/11 season.

A glut of seasonal fixtures - plus United's involvement in both the FA and Carling cup competitions - have ensured Avram Grant's side can look forward to five appearances at the Boleyn Ground during the remainder of December and the first half of January 2011.

Sandwiched inbetween those fixtures is just the one away trip - to Newcastle, on Wednesday 5th January - meaning that the Hammers will play on average every three days for the next three weeks.

Having opened the Christmas campaign with four points from a possible six at Blackburn and Fulham, hopes are high that Grant's rejuvenated side can continue their recent good form with a winning performance against Everton at the Boleyn tomorrow (28th).

That game is followed four days later by the visit of bottom-of-the-table Wolves (Tuesday, Jan 1st) before the Hammers travel to the north east for the Newcastle fixture (Wednesday, Jan 5th). Three days later Barnsley are the visitors in the FA Cup third round (Saturday, Jan 8th).

The first leg of the Carling Cup semi final is scheduled to take place three days later when Birmingham visit the Boleyn Ground (Tuesday, Jan 11th) before Arsenal make the short trip across the capital for a Premier League fixture the following weekend (Saturday, Jan 15th).

With the Hammers now just two points from 17th place in the Premier League, a couple of wins during that period could play a major part in propelling the club towards safety. Avram Grant, speaking after the Hammers had secured their first away win in the league for 16 months at Fulham said:

"I am really impressed with the attitude and the fighting spirit we have seen in the last few games. The players are very happy, they know the feeling and they want to taste it again. That is very important.

"We are only at halfway stage, we have half the league in front of us. It will be a long battle but we have a long-term vision and I have always said you cannot change things for the better in one day."

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