Cole braced for bumper crowd

Carlton Cole has hailed the club's terrific support with around just 700 tickets left for Saturday's big Boleyn date with Barnsley.

In a festive gesture, the Board reduced all ticket prices to just £15 for adults and a fiver for kids. It means a bumper crowd this weekend and ideal backing for Big Sam's team as they look to put right two successive defeats.

"It is good when our fans come out in packs," Cole, the SBOBET player of the month, said. "It is good for the club that we have the crowds. Having our supporters backing all the way through a game is massive to us as a team.

"Hopefully us as players can put in the performance and get the result this support deserves and that our fans are going home on Saturday night, on the Tube or in their cars or whatever, and are talking about what a great performance and result it was for us."

With a sell-out virtually certain, fans disappointed to miss out should note the first match of 2012, the visit of Coventry City on 2 January, is a Kids for a Quid fixture.

A season ticket still remains the best overall value for following the Hammers at every home game, and not just because of incentives like last weekend's double discount 20 per cent off instore and online. Half-season tickets are available now right up to 23 December. Click here for more information.