WEST Ham United haven't enjoyed the best start to the season under Sam Allardyce but I'm wary of them coming to the KC Stadium on Monday.
Although they lost against Tottenham and Southampton, not to mention losing in the League Cup to Sheffield United, they're certainly not a soft touch.
You can certainly make a case for them being better suited to playing away from home at the minute.
There's a lot of pressure on the Hammers when they play at Upton Park.
We even heard the supporters booing after a win when City lost there in March. That was a new one on me.
It's clear that Allardyce is never going to win over some of the supporters down there but he'll fancy his chances of getting a point or three on the board at the KC Stadium.
Say what you like about Allardyce's brand of football but he knows how to get results.
He will keep you in the Premier League, no doubt about it.
I expect West Ham will set up to keep things tight defensively and then look to hit City on the counter attack.
A 3-1 win at Crystal Palace last month saw those plans work very well.
Sometimes it works out that teams are better equipped to play away from home but that's not been the case with City.
When Bruce's side has needed a result, it's usually come at the KC.
And, importantly, we tend to pick up points from the teams in our mini league.
It's vital that pattern continues this season and I include West Ham in that.
It would be lovely to get another win on the board straight after the international break and perhaps we're due a break after the Stoke game.
After playing so long with 10 men, it was cruel not to see that game end with a victory. The thing that sticks in mind about that game was the atmosphere.
It was a masterstroke shifting the fans around with home supporters behind each goal and the noise was as good as I've heard it for a long, long time at the KC.
Players appreciate the backing of a 12th man and sticking with the side for 90 minutes can sometimes make the difference.
Here's hoping for a return to the high standards set by Bruce's side on Monday.
