West Ham Spurs: from the chapel to the church!

Ahead of tonights North-East London Capitol One Cup derby between the warring factions of West Ham and Spurs, Dave Hammer considers the relative merits of a team composed of players who have represented both clubs and asks – at the end of the day will they consider themselves primarily Hammers or 'Hot' Spurs?

	Dave Hammer says:
	Tony Parks Long spell at Spurs as reserve goalie followed by a variety of spells at various clubs fulfilling stop-gap roles, including 6 appearances for the Hammers during the 1991-2 season. Verdict: Hotspur
	Chris Hughton Longstanding loyal servant at Spurs – tenacious and determined left back. Hammers got a decent run from him towards the end of a proud career. Both clubs watch his continued managerial successes with interest! Verdict : Hotspur.
	Neil Ruddock Great fun to watch – always close to the edge of acceptability! Two spells at Spurs and a decent two year stint at the Boleyn in a career that involved appearances for eight different clubs and a single England cap. Verdict :Score Draw!
	Mitchell Thomas Luton lad who had a decent five year spell at Tottenham and almost made full England honours but form dipped and move to West ham never quite got into second gear. Returned to Luton and then on to Burnley. Verdict: Hotspur.
	Steve Walford Brief spell at Spurs before moving to Arsenal where he won a cup winners medal in 1979. Moved to hammers where he had a successful 5 year spell. Successful period as a coach / scout at Sunderland and now working with martin O'Neill again with the Republic of Ireland. Verdict: Hammer.
	Scott Parker Almost singlehandedly kept Hammers up two seasons ago but forced to leave soon after a relegation despite being footballer of the year! Honest and industrious, albeit injury-prone. He never quite found his role in a rotating Spurs midfield where he was not necessarily the main man, unlike when he was at the Hammers and his initial club, Charlton. Presently in retirement at Fulham Nursing Home. Verdict : Hammer.
	Michael Carrick Classy midfielder who came through the Hammers youth system with Joe Cole and Frank Lampard etc. Stayed for a season after 2003 relegation but found physicality of the Championship testing and moved to Spurs for a short spell before Man United where he remains. Seems now to be finally peaking after many years in second gear! Verdict: Hammer.
	Martin Peters Part of the 1966 World Cup Boleyn triplets. Known as "the complete midfielder" as he could pass the ball well with either foot, was good in the air and difficult to mark because of his movement. His versatility was such that while he was at West Ham he played in every position in the team, including goalkeeper in his third game. Moved to Tottenham Hotspur in 1970 in Britain's first £200,000 transfer. Verdict: Hammer.
	Les Ferdinand Powerful and athletic striker – best periods at QPR and then Newcastle before these two clubs got a turn out of him towards the end of a glittering career. Mostly Spurs who enjoyed a decent spell from ’97-2003. Verdict: Hotspur.
	Jermain Defoe Lively little striker with a good nose for goal but who has never quite realised the potential evident when he engineered his move away from the relegated Hammers of 2004. Left on bad terms and may not meet an entirely warm reception tonight. Still  likely to pop up for Spurs in dangerous positions and Hammers fans will be hoping he doesn’t have his shooting boots on! Verdict: Hotspur.
	Jimmy Greaves Absolute legend and a gentleman. Britain’s most prolific striker of all time. Greaves played at Spurs from 1961 to 1970, scoring a club record of 266 goals in 379 matches. Washed that down with a season at the Boleyn where he enjoyed close friendships with some Hammers legends, especially Bobby Moore. Verdict: Hotspur.
Final Score	Spurs 6.5 vs Hammers 4.5

It's unlikely that Spurs will have it so easy tonight although if they can keep their goals conceded to amere 4.5 then that would be an improvement on their 5-0 thrashing at home by Liverpool last weekend! Spurs stand in boss Tim Sherwod will hope that through all the disarray of the past week that his troops can produce a somewaht coherent performance.Meanwhile, West Ham will look to improve upon the mere 3-0 beating they dished out when they visited 'the Lane' earlier this season.


Come on you Irons!!!