Hull City

In front of the away dugout at Upton Park "The Academy of Football" is written on the ground. There have been times, too many times, in the past few years when West Ham United supporters might have expected that title to have changed. "West Ham: Crisis Club" would have felt more appropriate, such has been the constant, extraordinary drama that has stretched from the Carlos Tévez affair to the financial meltdown of the club's previous owner, Bjorgolfur Gudmundsson.  

With so much attention on Hull's manager Phil Brown going into their injury-time win over Stoke last time out, the return of Jimmy Bullard went relatively unremarked, but the Londoner's galvanic midfield efforts brought the scrappy but determined best out of the Tigers. Another concern for West Ham fans is that Gianfranco Zola's side has been playing well without ...  

Phil Brown has no doubts his trio of Irish stars who suffered World Cup woe in midweek will be fully focused on club matters on Saturday. Kevin Kilbane, Paul McShane and Stephen Hunt were all involved with the Republic of Ireland side whose World Cup dreams were shattered in controversial circumstances by France on Wednesday. Brown sympathises with all three but the Tigers face West Ham in a crucial Premier League clash on Saturday and the manager expects his players to be back on their game.

It was everything we always call for   -Phil Brown

 

Aston Villa legend Brian Little knows football inside out and insists there is nothing worse than losing. The Gainsborough Trinity manager has bundles of experience having played at the highest level and managing clubs such as Leicester City, Hull City, Wolves, Tranmere and Aston Villa. But after a poor start to his Trinity side's league campaign - picking up just four league wins from 18 - Little insists they are now on the up and a trip to North Ferriby United in The FA Trophy this weekend, could get their season back on track.

There's nothing worse than losing a football match   -Brian Little

 

Hull City manager Phil Brown has argued against the use of video technology to settle disputed decisions. City trio Kevin Kilbane, Paul McShane, Stephen Hunt were in the Republic of Ireland squad denied a possible World Cup place by a Thierry Henry handball. Brown said: "Video technology is not part of the game and I don't think it should be part of the game.

Video technology is not part of the game and I don't think it should be part of the game.   -Phil Brown

 

Gianfranco Zola has the good news of being able to recall Carlton Cole for Saturday's "massive" game at Hull City. The West Ham United manager will welcome back top scorer Cole to his starting XI after a slight hamstring problem suffered against Aston Villa on 4 November. The England forward has scored 13 goals in his last 23 league outings and could partner either Guillermo Franco or Zavon Hines up front. The return of Cole will provide a big lift for the KC Stadium encounter and Zola is backing him to demonstrate once again his dedication to the West Ham United cause.

Kieron has been back this week to train and is doing very well. The problem is he struggles to keep the fitness a long time. I'm hoping this time will be the one as he is a player that can give us something.   -Gianfranco Zola

 

THE two teams meet for the 61st time in the league and the second this season, after Boro lost 2-1 after extra-time in a Carling Cup second round tie at the City Ground in August. The last league encounter was 10 years ago in the Premier League, with the last meeting at this level a year earlier, in the 1997/98 season. Since goalkeeper Lee Camp joined Forest permanently in the summer, following a 15-game loan spell at the end of last season, he is yet to be on the losing side in any game away from the City Ground - a run that stretches 15 matches.  

The Premier League recommences on Saturday lunchtime as Rafa Benitez's Liverpool go head-to-head with Manchester City at Anfield. After what seemed like the longest fortnight in history, England's top flight returns. There are several intriguing encounters on offer, as table-toppers Chelsea host Wolves, a depleted Arsenal head to Sunderland, struggling pair Hull City and West Ham do battle, and Manchester United meet Everton.  

Seyi Olofinjana is having treatment on a hamstring injury but otherwise Hull City will be at full strength against West Ham tomorrow. The Nigerian international will undergo a late fitness check before Phil Brown names his team to face the Hammers. The City boss will be reluctant though to take any risks with a tight hamstring which could easily develop into a more serious problem if he isn't too careful.