Ok so I thought I'd start something new this season - a match prediction thread. These threads will be sticky right up until kick off of the match concerned so remember to scroll down for new articles.

Our Opponents:

Charlton have made big changes over the summer most notably the resignation of Alan Curbishley. However they have replaced him with a more than able up and coming manager in Iain Dowie. This can only add spice to the game as both managers were players for the opposite teams. Dowie has done very well in the transfer market and as I write has just secured the signature of Andy Reid from Spurs. The former Nottingham Forest winger has hardly had a sniff down at the lane but he has undone us many times in the Championship and offers width against a West Ham team who will be lacking in these wide areas with the absence of Matty Etherington. They have also snapped up Jimmy Flloyd Hasslebaink who always likes a goal against us.

Player to Watch: Andy Reid

West Ham:

As for us it is no secret that we are mourning the loss of Dean Ashton to a freak injury whilst training with England this week. Deano's broken ankle is going to keep him out for 3 months so we have to dust ourselves down and get on with it. Marlon Harewood will be the main man whilst others will compete to play alonside him. In my mind it has to be Zamora who gets the nod and leave it to the other two to dislodge him.

Predicted Hammers Team: Carroll, Konch, Gabbs, Anton, Mears, Bowyer, Mullins, Reo-Coker, Yossi, Zamora, Harewood.

Player to Watch: Marlon Harewood

Prediction: 2-1 to the cockney boys!