Rovers not so bad

Last updated: 7th December 2007

Benni McCarthy Blackburn

McCarthy: no longer sulking

West Ham could be excused for being in the bottom six or seven right now after all the injuries that they've had, so Alan Curbishley has done a decent enough job.

Matt Le Tissier
Quotes of the week

LAST SEASON'S HEAD-TO-HEAD
Blackburn 1-2 West Ham
West Ham 2-1 Blackburn

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Teams

Players

  • Scott Parker
  • Tugay

Blackburn v West Ham
3.30pm, Sunday, Sky Sports 1

I've been really impressed with the way that Mark Hughes has gone about his job at Blackburn - he has got a solid squad together there and has taken away that 'bad boy' tag that they had.

They play some decent football and Hughes has made some good buys - Christopher Samba and Roque Santa Cruz to name a couple - and they're looking a very useful outfit.

They got a good win against Newcastle last week and appear very well-organised.

My favourite Blackburn player is someone who is probably on his last legs but who I think passes the ball around midfield as well as anyone and comes up with the odd spectacular goal - Tugay.

I really like the way he plays the game. Benni McCarthy has been doing the business up front and David Bentley has made great strides. He's suspended for this one which will be a bit of a blow for Blackburn as he is in great form, scoring a brace against Newcastle last weekend.

But they have strength in depth, so I think they'll be able to cope with the loss of Bentley.

Coping well

It's just incredible how many injuries West Ham have had in the last 18 months. But they have coped well recently and are sitting comfortably in mid-table.

They could be excused for being in the bottom six or seven right now after all the injuries that they've had, so Alan Curbishley has done a decent enough job

When those players come back he'll fancy his chances of pushing up the table.

Carlton Cole has had a good run in the team and has done very well. It'll be good for the lad as he came onto the scene with a big reputation and struggled to live up to it.

He went off on loan to a couple of clubs and things didn't work out. He didn't score the goals that were expected of him but all of sudden, due to the injury crisis at West Ham, he gets a run in the side and has done very well. I'm pleased for him.

I like Scott Parker too and it was a bad blow for West Ham when he got injured. I think he's a good footballer, a solid midfielder who breaks things up and passes the ball well.

He's got a bit more ability than people give him credit for and it'll be a massive plus for Curbs to have him back in the side now.

I like the look of Dean Ashton too. He's probably not got the pace of a top international striker like Michael Owen, but he holds the ball up very well, he has a super touch and the boy knows where the goal is.

Matt's Main Man

BENNI McCARTHY - He had a bit of a sulk on at the start of the season because he fancied a move to one of the big boys. But he's got his head down and Sparky has obviously given him a kick up the backside because he's performing again.

Le Tiss predicts

HOME WIN - I think Blackburn will be a little bit too strong with their firepower up front and home advantage. West Ham still have a lot of injuries, so I reckon Rovers will win it 2-1.