The appearance in the final of the land's most prestigious cup competition was the culmination of a fantastic nine months for the Upton Park club, and although defeat was ultimately suffered at the hands of Liverpool, a penalty shoot-out deciding the outcome after six goals had been shared, it did not take the gloss off a tremendous first season back amongst England's elite for one of London's premier clubs.
Tipped, as so many before them, and indeed since, for an immediate return to the Championship following a Millennium Stadium Play-off Final victory over Preston North End in May 2005, West Ham United impressed everyone with their free flowing attacking football last season which enabled them to finish a more than respectable ninth in the Barclays Premiership.
Famed for being entertainers throughout an illustrious history, the East London team were a joy to watch last term, surprising a number of opponents with their pace, power and directness, aided by a terrific home support at their spiritual Upton Park home.
Perhaps pivotal to their success last season was a front line that consistently found the back of the net. 
Marlon Harewood, Bobby Zamora and veteran Teddy Sheringham all contributed throughout, and their efforts were aided in the second half of the campaign by the big money arrival of
Keen to improve upon last season's showing, West Ham United boss, Alan Pardew has further strengthened his talented squad during the summer, adding former Newcastle United playmaker, Lee Bowyer, ex-Chelsea striker, Carlton Cole and more recently, Norwich City goalkeeper, Robert Green to the ranks at Upton Park.
Elsewhere, the team has talent in abundance, none more so than captain, Nigel Reo-Coker, and although Ashton picked up an unfortunate injury whilst away on England duty last week, a broken ankle that is likely to keep him sidelined for up to three months, it did not stop the Hammers collecting a comfortable 3-1 come from behind success over Iain Dowie's Charlton Athletic on the season's opening day, thanks to a brace by Zamora and a late Cole strike.
So a tough task ahead then for a Watford side looking to bounce back to winning ways following a controversial odd goal in three loss to Everton at the weekend.
Manager, Aidy Boothroyd has taken great heart from the display of his side on Merseyside where the team more than held their own until being undone by an erroneous refereeing decision, but he will also be acutely aware of the need to put points on the board, especially during the early part of the campaign.
New signings, Damien Francis, Danny Shittu and in particular, Chris Powell all shone on debut at Goodison Park, and the home faithful will be hoping that another good team performance can be translated into goals and a positive result. 
With a full house expected at a passionate
History of the
Watford prepares to entertain West Ham United at Vicarage Road Stadium on Tuesday evening, looking to improve on a dire past record against their
The most recent fixture between the two sides came at Vicarage Road Stadium on the last day of the 2004/05 campaign, where a goal in each half by the Hammers' Anton Ferdinand and Harewood negated Heidar Helguson's final strike in a
West Ham United's odd goal in three triumph on that particular afternoon ultimately secured their place in the end of season play-offs, and Pardew's men were to return to the Premiership following a one goal Millennium Stadium victory over Preston North End.
For a detailed analysis of the head-to-head between the two sides, click here
Recent encounters between the teams: | |||||
2004/2005 | Sun 08 May | 1-2 | West Ham United | CHMP | |
2004/2005 | Sat 27 Nov | West Ham United. | 3-2 | CHMP | |
2003/2004 | Sat 01 May | West Ham United | 4-0 | CHMP | |
2003/2004 | Sat 22 Nov | 0-0 | West Ham United | CHMP | |
1999/2000 | Sat 04 Mar | 1-2 | West Ham United | PREM | |
1999/2000 | Sat 11 Sep | West Ham United | 1-0 | PREM | |
1993/1994 | Sat 08 Jan | West Ham United | 2-1 | FAC | |
Recent Respective Form Guides
As with Everton preview last week, the form guide of both camps only relates to what happened towards the end of last season.
West Ham United meanwhile had an average recent record on the road, winning and losing three each of the last six Barclays Premiership games, netting six times and conceding nine.
Although the table matters little at the moment,
Opponents, West Ham United sit in a healthy 4th position having collected maximum points from their 3-1 home success over fellow
For a detailed analysis of team form guides throughout the leagues, click here
Current form guides: | P | W | D | L | F | A | P |
6 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 9 | 3 | 11 | |
West Ham Utd. | 6 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 11 | 7 | 13 |
Golden Boys Prediction
After an agonisingly narrow defeat on Merseyside at the weekend, here at the Golden Boys' office we feel
Both teams like to attack and it should be an entertaining clash. Verdict Score Draw
Sequence statistics: | |
Drawn last 2 games at home. | |
West Ham United | Undefeated in last 3 away games. |