Well there’s not much to laugh about when your team is mired second from bottom of the Premier League and it’s a struggle to see where the next point is coming from.

Following West Ham has always been an odyssey of hope over expectation. But now hope is leaving the stadium faster than any of our players with a chance of finding a new club.

Sitting there last week watching us make Bolton look like world beaters was thoroughly depressing.

And it’s only by virtue of Wigan being even worse at the back that we are not rock bottom.

Next up is a trip to Old Trafford on Saturday afternoon.

In days gone by we used to give it a go against Man Utd.

We often came away with nothing, but bloodied the Mancs noses a few times through players like Hartson, Di Canio, Defoe and Tevez.

Not anymore I’m afraid. I’m no Mystic Meg but i predict a packed midfield and defence which will be breached early leading to a crash in confidence and a rout.

The thought of Man U running at our fullback-free defence is bringing me out in a cold sweat just typing this.

But the Reds are too short a price at 1/6 to beat the hopeless Hammers so where shall we look for value this weekend?

I liked the look of Fulham last week and they will be confident of getting something from the trip to Blackpool.

Fulham were fairly dreadful on the road last year but Mark Hughes has made some shrewd buys and I can see them picking-up all three points at 13/10 with Ladbrokes.

Sunday sees Aston Villa host Everton and the bookies are as confused as the rest of us over these two.

Villa went from a 3-0 defeat of West Ham to shipping six against newly-promoted Newcastle.

Everton have lost to Blackburn and scraped a draw with Wolves.

Hardly inspiring stuff from both sides but I have a hunch Villa will be wobbling until a new manager is appointed so the 2/1 from Ladbrokes on an away win looks attractive.

Running Total for all bets to a £10 stake:   +£70