This weekend sees the return of one of the most bitterly contested football rivalries when Millwall entertain West Ham United in the eagerly awaited Saturday lunch-time kick off in the Championship.
The rivalry between both clubs is one of the longest standing and most bitter in English football with both sets of supporters considering the other club as their main rival.
Both clubs were originally East London sides with links to the Royal docks, with Millwall the first to be formed in 1885. Thames Ironworks, later to become West Ham, were founded ten years later by another group of dockers and so began the rivalry with both clubs soon becoming vicious enemies.
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In the early years, matches between the two sides were a frequent affair, but in recent years, with both sides operating in different tiers of the English leagues, meetings have been few and far between. This only adds to the match atmosphere when they eventually meet.
Part of the ill feeling between both sets of supporters stems from when a Millwall fan was killed in the 1970`s after fighting with West Ham fans after falling out of a train. Sadly, since then the rivalry has intensified between both sets of supporters. However, it should be added that despite the rivalry between the two sides, majority of both sets of fans would not wish any ill well to their London neighbours.
Their last meeting was a midweek League Cup tie in 2009 which was marred by clashes outside the ground, including one Millwall fan who was stabbed, and West Ham supporters invading the pitch on three occasions forcing the game to be temporarily suspended. The Hammers, who went on to win the match in extra time, were later charged and duly fined by the FA for not controlling their crowd.
Following the East London sides relegation from the Premiership last season, they are now able to once again compete against their South London rivals as both clubs attempt to be promoted to the higher division.
After last yeara��s relegation from the Premier League, the summer saw a sea of change roll in at Upton Park. Out went manager Avram Grant, and in came former Bolton and Newcastle supremo Sam Allardyce. A flurry of players followed, with Kevin Nolan and Matt Taylor particularly impressive recruits from the Premier League. Just as important, England duo Robert Green and Scott Parker were retained, although the latter left for Spurs on Transfer Deadline day.
The Hammers started the season as favourites to go back up and the pressure seemed to tell as Cardiff City inflicted an opening day home defeat. Two wins from the next two away games saw Allardycea��s men get back on track, although the home form continued to be a concern when first Leeds gained a point, then days later League 2 Aldershot knocked the Hammers out of the Carling Cup.
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The 100% away record was maintained as an impressive performance saw Nottingham Forest hammered 4-1, taking the total away goals scored to 9, with just one conceded. Last time out, West Ham finally secure their first home win; against Pompey, pinching it by an odd goal in a seven-goal thriller.
Sam Allardyce’s squad is much stronger than Millwall’s.A�Ex-Premier League duo John Carew and Papa Bouba Diop will be looking for a return to Sam Allardyce’s squad after not even making the bench in the win against Portsmouth. On-loan Spurs winger David Bentley impressed as a substitute last weekend, and Allardyce may be tempted to include the former England winger from the start. Ivory Coast international Guy Demel, a deadline day signing from German side Hamburg, may also come in to the reckoning.
With an embarrassment of riches to choose from, Allardycea��s side will rightly go into the game as favourites, though the vociferous home support (West Ham have been allocated only 2000 tickets) will no doubt be a leveler.
Despite only conceding one goal on their travels, the Hammers have still been prone to defensive frailties, with late goals conceded against Cardiff, Leeds and Aldershot. Attacking wise, they are the leagues joint top scorers and the best away from home, so Allardycea��s tactic will surely be to attack the Millwall rearguard.
With nine different players having got their names on the scoresheet already, West Hama��s attack is potent and full of variation. Full-backs Joey Oa��Brien and George McCartney love to get forward, whilst wide midfielders Matt Taylor and Julian Faubert/David Bentley both offer fantastic delivery into the box. Taylor also brings the added danger from set-pieces, with last weeka��s stunning free-kick an example. Mark Noble and on-loan Arsenal midfielder Henri Lansbury provide bite and energy in the centre of midfield.
Up front, Carlton Cole has lead the line superbly, scoring 4 goals. He is also an essential part of West Hama��s build-up play as his strength and power fits perfectly with skipper Kevin Nolana��s lung-bursting runs fromA� midfield.
If Plan A doesna��t work, Allardyce also has the talent on the bench to change the game, with the likes of Carew, Frederic Piquionne (suspended for Millwall game) and, recent signing from MK Dons, Sam Baldock all capable of finding the back of the net.
West Ham will certainly be looking at Kevin Nolan to star in the match. Nolan is expected to grab the attention of Millwall manager Kevin Jackett before the match. Since his shock arrival from Newcastle, Nolan has already struck up a wonderful understanding with Carlton Cole.
Alongside his goal-scoring abilities, Nolana��s other main attribute is his leadership qualities. Having been club captain at Bolton and Newcastle, the Liverpool-born midfielder immediately took the captaina��s armband from Scott Parker on his arrival at Upton Park.
And perhaps, West Ham’s captain will be the difference between the two sides on a day where no club will want to give an inch away.
One can only hope – perhaps, against hope – for peace and a proper game of football. That, however, isn’t why this fixture is so popular. Expect an explosive game in front of an explosive crowd.
And consider yourself lucky if you aren’t a London cop.
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Written by David Bryne Evans with inputs from Robert Nevitt
Follow David on twitter @Upton_ScarA�
Follow us on twitterA�@Thehardtackle
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