West Ham’s strength in depth could be key to beating Wigan

May 15th, 2011 will forever be etched in the minds of West Ham fans as the day when their heroes lost their Premier League status by crumbling at Wigan Athletic.

The Hammers, needing a victory (and Fulham to beat Birmingham, which they eventually did) to take their relegation battle to the final fixture of the season, looked to be cruising to a priceless three points as a Demba Ba brace put them 2-0 up at the DW Stadium.

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However, those hopes were quickly dashed as the visitors suffered a catastrophic second-half collapse, conceding three goals and exiting the top flight with the kind of meek surrender which became all too familiar under then-boss Avram Grant.

Fast forward 16 months and the outlook is appreciably brighter for West Ham as they prepare to face Wigan again, this time on home soil in a Capital One Cup third-round tie.

Sam Allardyce, who replaced the hapless Grant, ensured that the Londoners were promoted at the first time of asking through the Championship play-offs and is now basking in the glow of a decent start to the club’s latest Premier League adventure.

Far from snatching a fortuitous late point, Nolan’s strike was the least the Hammers deserved from a game in which they entered the Black Cats’ penalty area on 45 occasions, had 26 shots and 59% of the possession.

Kevin Nolan’s late equaliser against Sunderland at the Boleyn Ground on Saturday means the Hammers have picked up eight points from their first five games and they will surely fancy their chances of getting past the Latics this evening.

The bwin bookies appear to agree, making West Ham the 39/50 favourites to progress inside 90 minutes, with the draw at 5/2 and Wigan available at 333/100, and I reckon the hosts are good things here.

Allardyce and opposite number Roberto Martinez have both admitted that they will make several changes to their respective line-ups and this will surely play into the Hammers’ hands.

One of the criticisms of Allardyce last season was that he failed to secure automatic promotion despite receiving plenty of backing in the transfer market and boasting a large squad packed with quality and experience.

However, this should now work in their favour against a Wigan team who don’t appear to possess as much talent in reserve and have lost on their last three visits to east London.

Allardyce will be able to field a team with a spine featuring James Tomkins and the experienced George McCartney at the back, France international Alou Diarra in midfield and Modibo Maiga, who scored in West Ham’s 2-0 win over Crewe in round two, leading the line.

A clutch of youngsters such as Robert Hall, George Moncur and Matthias Fanimo could also be thrown in, but they are clearly no mugs either, judging by the Hammers’ Development Squad’s 4-1 win over Arsenal last Friday.

Maiga may also have the benefit of Gary O’Neil’s delivery from the right wing, while Matt Jarvis, West Ham’s £10.75 million record signing, looks set to start on the left flank after substitute appearances in their past two matches.

The former Sochaux striker is a largely unknown quantity on these shores but his combination of strength, pace and aerial ability will cause huge problems for a Latics rearguard which is likely to be under siege, judging by the impressive statistics West Ham posted against Sunderland.

Far from snatching a fortuitous late point, Nolan’s strike was the least the Hammers deserved from a game in which they entered the Black Cats’ penalty area on 45 occasions, had 26 shots and 59% of the possession.

Of course, it should be noted that the Latics were 4-1 winners on the road at Nottingham Forest in the previous round – but it is hard to read too much into that victory over a mix-and-match Reds outfit who were still getting used to the style of new boss Sean O’Driscoll.

West Ham must be the play here and if the 39/50 is too short for you, punting on the hosts to win a match featuring over 2.5 goals could provide a profitable alternative at a tempting 7/4.

The likes of Mauro Boselli and Jean Beausejour certainly carry a goal threat and it would be no surprise to see Wigan get on the scoresheet – as they have done in 13 of their last 14 away games in all competitions – against a Hammers back four who may not be as secure as usual.

There have been a whopping 14 goals scored in the past three meetings between the sides, two of which were at Upton Park, and with both bosses unlikely to want extra-time, another open and entertaining game appears to be in prospect tonight.

Recommended bet: West Ham to beat Wigan @ 39/50
Outside punt: West Ham to win a game of over 2.5 goals @ 7/4

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