RITCHIE Humphreys last week led a Hartlepool United delegation on a scouting mission – but wonders how much West Ham will know about their opponents on Saturday.

When Pools’ game at Oldham was postponed on January 10, Humphreys, Micky Nelson and Ben Clark headed to St James’ Park to watch the Hammers’ 2-2 draw with Newcastle United.

While goalscorer Craig Bellamy has since departed for Man City, Pools know what they are up against in the fourth round of the FA Cup on Saturday. The trophy was at Victoria Park yesterday, with Humphreys getting his hands on it last night when a specially commissioned painting of the player of the century was unveiled.

“West Ham are a top side and last week a few of us went up to Newcastle to watch them and you could see the talent on show,’’ he admitted.

They had pace, they pass the ball very well. I don’t think Scott Parker lost the ball once, he was fantastic.

Looking at them from the stands, it looked like a diamond shape with Bellamy running in behind Carlton Cole – you can name all the players and they will present a very tough game for us.’’ He added: “I imagine Gianfranco Zola doesn’t know too much about Hartlepool, but he will come Saturday. As a player he was thorough, very professional and a lot of English players took a lot from how he worked and trained as a player.

“A lot of people have said how he changed English football when he came here and he set the place alight. No doubt he will be the same as a manager.

“I came up against him once as a player – I was a lone striker at the Bridge up against Guillt and Leboeuf – but that was in the days when I played up front.’’ Pools will step up their preparations on the training ground this morning, with Joel Porter and Sam Collins likely to join their teammates.

The pair have been struggling with injury, but should be in contention for Saturday.

Tickets are on sale from Victoria Park and Humphreys is hoping for a full house in front of the ITV cameras.

“West Ham is a great occasion to look forward to, but getting a result on Friday night (2-0 v Northampton) meant we could enjoy the weekend off,’’ he said. “There will be a lot of eyes on the town and the club in the build up, it will be a bit like when we were going to Cardiff in 2005.

“Now we have a Premier League team at home and we hope it’s going to be a sell-out and a big occasion. You cannot let it pass you by, you have to soak it up and be really focused come Saturday when we start.”