Striker-turned-defender Richard Naylor says that silencing West Ham's crowd could be a big factor in the Blues gaining a victory at Upton Park on Saturday. Last season Town defeated Alan Pardew's men in the corresponding league fixture but lost in a play-off second leg in front of a vociferous home crowd.

Naylor told TWTD that despite the bad memories of the last trip to east London, he enjoys visits to Upton Park: "We beat them there in the league last season but lost in the play-offs and it's not a bad place to go. It's a decent atmosphere and I'm looking forward to it.

"To be fair to them they made a bit of noise that day and it made for a decent atmosphere. They played well, their players raised their game a bit and unfortunately we didn't.

"But in the league we showed if you keep the ball and you pass it well, then their crowd soon work against them. Give them 20 minutes and they'll soon turn against their side."

The Hammers line-up has changed a lot since May's play-off and Naylor says that manager Alan Pardew is looking to make his new team play more like his fast-breaking Reading side: "He's brought in players to do that, he's trying to turn them into a side which play like his Reading team, bringing in Marlon Harewood and a bit of pace.

"It's difficult to play against sides who play like that but hopefully we can keep the ball and score a few goals."

Naylor has been pleased with the way the season has begun but has a nagging feeling the Blues ought to have picked up more points on their travels: "The start to the season hasn't been too bad, we're right up there and you can't ask for much more than that. However, I think we could have been even better off than we are, which is disappointing.

"There have been a couple of away games where we should have taken points and we haven't. That's the most frustrating thing; when we've scored away from home we haven't gone on to win games.

"It was important we started well at home, especially after last season. It gives you a bit of confidence and that has been a big plus so far this season."

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