Oh what fun it is to see West Ham win away!

Doncaster 0 West Ham 1

Hammers in shock win at Doncaster on my birthday. Exactly the sort of game we need to gain three points from if we're to go up - and our first away win since Fulham at Christmas.

Kevin Nolan scored 18 goals when he won the Championship at Newcastle, and could be the goalscoring midfielder we've lacked since Big Fat Frank left.

Interesting to see Allardyce opt for a five man midfield, bringing in Jack Collison. Most of us expected Collison to have replaced Parker by now, but he certainly gives an extra option for away games and made Nolan's goal. Meanwhile Scotty exudes professionalism, wherever his future lies, still prepared to scrap in Yorkshire despite his likely transfer before the window closes.

Big Sam appears to prefer Piquionne to Cole - perhaps a sign either that he doesn't think CC is fully fit or that he's likely to leave.

A clean sheet is a boost and Ilunga will gain confidence from that, even if he is likely to be replaced by McCartney. With our squad so thin we need all the players we can get.

Yes it was only Doncaster, who had ten men out. but then we played Rotherham away at a similar stage the last time we were in the Championship and lost 1-0. Encouraging.