The 'nana bunch

I'd like to take you back three months or so to 28th November 2009. West Ham's first meeting with Burnley for, ooh, donkey's years. A worrying time for the Hammers, but Burnley were doing rather well (provided they weren't playing away from their ground, Turf Moor).

Anyway, this game was played at Upton Park, West Ham's ground. A comprehensive 5-0 drubbing was on the cards as we seriously outplayed Burnley and ran them into the ground. The match was only slightly tempered by the fact we managed to almost lose it by shipping 3 goals close to the end, finishing up 5-3. A great encounter and showed the new boys what they were up against in the Premier League, even when not playing the top of the table teams.

Forward now, to 6th February 2010. Burnley v West Ham, at Turf Moor. Hammers can't hit a cow's backside with a banjo, and (if Match of the Day is to be believed) a succession of shots to blister the paint on the frame of the goal cost us a certain three points. We outplayed Burnley from start to finish, they made 3 scoring chances and converted 2, we made at least 7 and scored just the one, with 4 hitting the woodwork. Hammers, the better side, went down to a team who'd lost their way comprehensively over the last few weeks 2-1, and slipped back into the relegation zone.

Good promise from our new signings (McCarthy was unlucky not to score, and Mido set up Ilan to score our consolation) though, so not all bad. If we play like the rest of the year, we'll be all right. Of course, we'll have to hit the target more often...