Tony: Calm Nerves Needed

Tony Gale says the Manchester City game will not be one for the faint-hearted.

As the Hammers look to keep up their record of always beating City in this fixture when it has been played in the Premiership - and scoring at least three to boot - Tony says:

"Glenn will be trying not to show his nerves but when you see your name at the bottom it is natural.

"But he has to try and portray calmness to the players and the fans - he got all the plaudits last year and managers are all well paid but that doesn't make the job any easier, and everyone is feeling it.

"It doesn't look too good on paper with a difficult game coming up but everyone looks difficult from this position and it is a time for the lads to pull their fingers out.

"You have to be concentrated for 90 minutes; the lapses have been nothing short of alarming, schoolboy errors - as the boys will realise when they see the videos.

"There is no doubt that everyone knows the problem has been defensively but you also need the star players taking the pressure off and keeping the ball.

"David James has actually played well - if it wasn't for him it could be more goals against, Cisse has done well coming in, and Joe has been nothing short of excellent.

"I would put Ian Pearce centre back; I think he is the best on the books, he wins most balls in the air, he is the quickest, and the strongest though maybe needs a bit more quality on the ball.

He hopes Michael Carrick gets a good cheer and adds:

"Sometimes it is the part timers, home fans, who give Michael but he got a good reception at Spurs which was pleasing."

As for City, he says:

"I don't know if they will go with another striker alongside Anelka; they are a good team but they do leave gaps at the back - maybe we will play three at the back to release Joey."