England fixtures/results Misbah to captain against England Inzamam

West Ham vs. Langston Galloway Jersey . Everton Preview West Ham manager Sam Allardyce has been around the game long enough to not get too high when things are going well and not get too low when they arent. However, after his side beat Cardiff 2-0 on the opening day of the season, even he couldnt help himself as he looked ahead to a new season with great anticipation. "This has been the best pre-season weve had, no disruptions, no injuries. If you look at our team today we had players like Jack Collison and Matty Taylor who couldnt even make the bench. They have to overcome that disappointment, work hard, weve got a strong squad now," he said with a smile. Already that strong squad is being tested. A month is a long time in football and Big Sam has certainly been challenged since that warm day at Upton Park. On the field, West Ham have played three Premier League games since and scored no goals. Two scoreless draws, at Newcastle and Southampton, have certainly prevented it from being a poor run but concerns are growing at their lack of a goalscoring threat with the Hammers managing just two shots on goal in their last three games, which included a 1-0 loss at home to Stoke. (photo: fourfourtwo.com - Click For Larger Image) Off the field, Allardyce has had to deal with an injury to key man Andy Carroll, a bizarre late transfer request handed in by Ricardo Vaz Te and a mad late rush to find another front man. Despite reports suggesting England international Carroll would be out for up to four months, it appears that wont happen, but it also appears the 24-year-old isnt close to playing a game anytime soon after unsuccessful visits to Holland and Belgium recently to attempt to cure his foot problem. In the meantime, Vaz Te has stayed, but unquestionably annoyed his manager, while Allardyce has recruited former Fulham striker Mladen Petric on a free transfer to bolster his options. The Croatian, however, is still not match fit, much like former Hammer Carlton Cole, who is currently training with the squad, leaving Mobido Maiga as the only choice for West Ham at the moment. Much like his team, Maigas form has dipped dramatically since the win at Cardiff. "Really happy for Mobido, he came with a big reputation last year, it didnt work out, but he led the line really well today," said Allardyce after the Cardiff win. Three starts later and the Malian has looked more like the version Hammer fans grew frustrated with last year, drifting out of games, being far too timid on the ball and not bringing his teammates into the game. And that, more than anything, is where they miss Carroll. Plenty of negative things have been written about the former Newcastle and Liverpool striker, but, without doubt, Carroll is very good at linking an attack, holding the ball up well, and in a system with one man up front that is essential for a team like West Ham. "We can definitely create more off him," reflected Allardyce this week. He continued: "No disrespect to the other strikers but Andy holds it up better and creates more problems for the oppositions defence." Carroll is yet to play a minute this season but of the four matches West Ham have played, Carroll was involved in two of them last year and the difference in his ability to lay a ball to a teammate is much different to Maiga. At Newcastle... (photo: fourfourtwo.com - Click For Larger Image) At Southampton... (photo: fourfourtwo.com - Click For Larger Image) For Maiga this is his chance. Scorer of 24 goals in Frances Ligue 1 the two previous seasons before his move to London, he has a proven track record that he can make a difference at a decent level but so far he has been a major disappointment. Thankfully for West Ham, with worries in attack, there have been no concerns at the back. Importantly, the same four players have started all four games in defence, and they have combined to concede just one goal this season, and that came from a set piece when Stokes Jermaine Pennant curled a free kick around the wall to win the last league game at Upton Park. Last weeks point at Southampton, though, was gained thanks to a man of the match performance from goalkeeper Jussi Jaaskelainen who showed, even at 38 years old, that he can still be counted on when his defence doesnt have the best of games. Collectively the entire team will have to defend better this Saturday when an unbeaten Everton are their guests at Upton Park. Last Sunday against Southampton, West Ham allowed the Saints defenders to have time on the ball, before pressing them in the middle of the park. Roberto Martinezs team have already shown signs that they like to play the ball out from the back, more than they did under David Moyes, and it will be interesting to see just how aggressive West Ham are at pressing in their final third. The Toffees have also got three clean sheets out of their first four games and combined with their defensive solidity they have still managed to get their full backs, Seamus Coleman and Leighton Baines, forward a lot to contribute to their attack. Playing against a West Ham team that like to play with wingers, Saturdays game should be an open, stretched game with plenty of scoring opportunities. One man likely on the end of the ones for Everton will be loan man Romelu Lukaku, who can finally make his debut after being ineligible against Chelsea last week. Lukakus appearance at Upton Park will be a fitting reminder to Allardyce that he is short in attack without Carroll as the manager made it known this week that he hoped the Belgian might have joined the Irons. "We chased him all summer to be honest. When it came the final day of the deadline we missed out and Everton managed to secure his position for a loan deal. We were more or less told he was going back to West Brom but in the midst that changed for whatever reason I dont know. We didnt manage to clinch it." The capture was a victory for Everton on deadline day. Allardyce will be hoping it doesnt lead to a victory on Saturday. Join Alastair Connolly and myself on TSN following the conclusion of Norwich vs Aston Villa as we get you set for West Ham vs Everton, kicking off at 10am et. New York Knicks Pro Shop . As analysts we do the same thing, so here are some observations from week one. First there were two major upsets. I should say, major upsets in the eyes of the fans and prognosticators. Fake Knicks Jerseys .C. -- Al Jefferson said he feels like hes playing the best basketball of his 10-year NBA career. https://www.cheapknicks.com/591x-john-gianelli-jersey-knicks.html . Manager Alex Ferguson says the injury was sustained while the player tried to hit a volley toward the end of training on Tuesday.Joe Root is confident England can build on a successful winter ahead of this summer’s visit of Pakistan and Sri Lanka. Root - ranked as the No 2 batsman in the world in the ICC Test rankings - helped England to ODI and Twenty20 series wins over Pakistan before a Test series win in South Africa prior to the ICC World T20 in India.England suffered a heart-breaking final-over defeat to West Indies in the World T20 final but Root is focusing on the positives and hopes they can use their winter exploits as a platform to build on this summer. Root picked up two wickets in the World T20 final against West Indies Obviously when you get to a final its all about winning, Root told Sky Sports News HQ, live from a golf day at Woburn with fellow England internationals Ben Stokes and Stuart Broad.Unfortunately we were unable to do that but the effort we put in and the experience we have gained from that is going to stand us in great stead moving forward. A lot of guys have gained a lot of confidence and hopefully we can take that forward into an exciting summer of Test cricket.Weve had a pretty successful winter with winning away in South Africa and getting to the final of the Twenty20 World Cup and there are a lot of exciting young players that are putting their name forward for selection for this Test series. And then when the ODIs kick in, hopefully we can take that form forward from the Twenty20 into that. Joe Root and Ben Stokes took part in an impromptu bit of street cricket in Londons Carnaby Street Root confirmed his first match since the World T20 will be the County Championship clash with Nottinghamshire, live and exclusive on Sky Sports on May 1.With the season already underway, Middlesex opener Sam Robson has staked his claim for an England place after plundering 337 in two innings against Warwickshire, setting a new Middlesex record for runs scored in a first-class game. Alastair Cook is now wearing an ECB-compliant helmet The great thing about the County Championship and this time of the season is that it is a great opportunity for the guys to put their hands up and give themselves the best chance for the selectors to pick them, Root added. Landry Fields Jersey. As part of the side thats what you want to see - guys scoring runs, taking wickets and putting you under pressure. Seeing the depth that weve got as a country, hopefully that will stand u in good stead and keep everyone looking to improve and take our side forward. Sam Robson has caught the eye in the opening weeks of the County Championship season There has been widespread debate over the newly-introduced British Safety Standard compliant helmets after the ECB grilled Test captain Alastair Cook when he persisted with wearing the old style headgear.Cook hit 127 not out in Essexs draw with Sussex on Wednesday while wearing the new-style helmet and Root thinks it is now time to draw a line under the issue. Stuart Broad says he understands why Alastair Cook refused to wear the new helmet at the start of the cricket season The rules are the rules and you have to get over it now, he said.Theres no point moaning about it. Thats whats happened and its obviously going to be a little frustrating for a few guys who have been used to playing in a certain way and stuff but if thats the way its got to go, we have to get to grips with it pretty quickly.Its good to see Alastair go and do that [score an unbeaten century] and it wont take him long to adjust even though it must be quite frustrating if youve been used to that for your whole career. But its time to move on I suppose if they are the laws that are going to be put in place. Also See: England fixtures/results Misbah to captain against England Inzamam named Pakistan selector Pakistan fixtures/results ' ' '