3
Games Played
4
2
0.67
26%
6%
Goals Scored
Goals Scored/game
Shooting Accuracy %
Goals/Shots %
4
1.00
51%
9%
1,113
73%
Passes
Pass Completion %
1,293
70%
76%
8
2.67
Tackles Won %
Goals Conceded
Goals Conceded/game
70%
9
2.25
43
7
0
Fouls
Yellow Cards
Red Cards
56
8
1
Finishing seventh in 2001-02 was quite an achievement for West Ham in their first campaign under Glenn Roeder, particularly after they had made such a disastrous start to the season. However, the Hammers have been unable to capitalise on that progress so far this term and the club are currently bottom of the table after some disappointing performances.
West Brom also exceeded expectations last season, winning automatic promotion to the top-flight despite being labelled as also-rans before the campaign started and having little money to strengthen their squad.
Defoe Hughes 270 Minutes on pitch 78 0 Goals 0 0 Goals/Shots % 0 1 Shots on target 3 33 Shooting Acuracy % 100 1 Assists 0 2 Offsides 2 0 Yellow Cards 1 0 Red Cards 0
But if the Baggies had previously experienced a financial gap between themselves and supposedly more prestigious clubs in the Nationwide League, that is as nothing compared to the gulf that now separates them from the Premiership's big guns.
The difference in the quality of their opposition has similarly been hard for Gary Megson's men to deal with so far. They have found defences hard to break down and been accurate with just 62% of their passes in the opposing half - only three sides have a worse record.
However, Megson was able to do some last minute strengthening before the transfer deadline, bringing in Welsh international midfielder Jason Koumas and former terrace hero Lee Hughes to bolster the club's attacking options.
Roeder could certainly do with some funds to improve his ailing strike force. Despite boasting a supposedly potent front two of Fredrick Kanoute and England under-21 star Jermain Defoe, the Hammers have lacked quality in front of goal.
To date, they have hit the target with only 26% of their efforts on goal - the worst proportion in the division - and scored with only 6% of their shots. But with the transfer deadline now gone, Roeder can only hope that either his forwards improve drastically in the coming weeks, or Paolo di Canio makes a speedy return from injury.
West Ham proved last season that they have the character to bounce back after difficult starts and they will still be strong favourites to pick up three points against the Baggies. But Megson's men will be buoyed by their recent win over Fulham and the Hammers should not take their challenge lightly.
Match Betting: West Ham 8/13 Draw 12/5 West
Brom 4/1 -
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