Premier League preview: Blackpool v West Ham

Blackpool will try to put a turbulent week for boss Ian Holloway behind them on Wednesday when they welcome West Ham to Bloomfield Road.

Holloway this week stood by his pledge to tender resignation if his team was fined for fielding a weakened side against Aston Villa in the English Premier League in November.

The Blackpool boss made 10 changes for that match – in which Blackpool were only denied a draw by a last-minute James Collins goal that gave Villa a 3-2 win – resulting in a 25,000 pound fine being handed down by the Premier League.

“He (the chairman) will be getting my resignation because that is how strongly I feel,” Holloway told the Blackpool Gazette on Friday. “It is up to him whether he chooses to take it.”

Blackpool chairman Karl Oyston, however, has refused to accept Holloway’s resignation, meaning the Englishman will be at the helm for the foreseeable future.

While Holloway has endured a hectic week, his side will try to best prepare for the visit of West Ham – a fixture in which they need to secure maximum points after a dismal January.

Since their 2-0 win over Sunderland on December 28, Holloway’s gallant side have suffered one-goal defeats to Manchester City, Birmingham, West Brom, Sunderland and Manchester United, with their only success a 2-1 win over Liverpool.

Avram Grant’s West Ham side are in dire need of three points of their own to lift them off the bottom of the Premier League, with just one win and a draw from their past five league games.

Both sides are anxiously awaiting news from the physio, with Stephen Crainey still doubtful for Blackpool with an ankle injury while Matthew Gilks and Billy Clarke are missing with knee complaints.

Chris Basham is out with a broken leg, but they will be buoyed by the return of striker Marlon Harewood, who came off the bench in their last match – a 3-2 loss to Manchester United.

David Carney will be back on deck after Asian Cup duties with Australia.

West Ham have their own fitness concerns, with Portuguese defender Manuel Da Costa doubtful with an ankle injury and midfielder Thomas Hitzlsperger to miss out with a thigh strain.

Grant will be hoping for more good form from Nigerian winger Victor Obinna, whose hat-trick on Sunday helped West Ham to a 3-2 FA Cup fourth-round win over Nottingham Forest.

It remains to be seen if new striker Robbie Keane will be available after his loan move from Tottenham.