As we go into the penultimate game of the season at home to Luton let’s have a look back to see how we have done against all our opponents (so far):
- Luton and Manchester City have a ‘game in hand’.
- Wolves are the only team that we have done the double over, although Luton could join them.
- Fulham have been our most ‘formidable’ opponent, although Manchester City could ‘overtake’ them if they beat us 6-0 in the final game of the season.
- Fulham have been the only team that we have failed to score against.
- We have not kept a clean sheet against any of our 19 opponents.
- Teams against whom we have the upper hand (points + goal difference) – Wolves, Sheffield United, Brighton, Burnley, Tottenham, Brentford, Everton, Luton (so far)
- Teams who have had the upper hand over us (points + goal difference) – Fulham, Manchester City, Aston Villa, Crystal Palace, Liverpool, Newcastle, Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester United, Nottingham Forest.
- We are ‘all square’ with Bournemouth.
- With 2 games to go we are averaging 1.56 goals per game scored, 1.94 goals against.
- We are currently 9th in the table (points), and 8th in terms of goals scored (56).
- Only the bottom 3 teams have conceded more goals than us; 70 goals against is equal to the most goals that we have conceded in a season in the Premier League ever (in 28 seasons). We let in 70 in 2010/11 (the Avram Grant relegation season) so just one more goal conceded in the final two games would make this the worst season ever in this respect.
- Our best season for fewest goals conceded in the Premier League was in 2008/9 when Gianfranco Zola was the manager.
- With 2 games to go we have scored 56 goals – that is currently our 4th highest in a Premier League season – the most came in 2015/16 (Bilic) 65, 2020/21 (Moyes) 62, 2021/22 (Moyes) 60, 1997/98 (Redknapp) 56.
- In the first half of this season we played 19 games, won 10, drew 3, lost 6, goals for 33, goals against 30, points 33.
- Since then – played 17 games, won 3, drew 7, lost 7, goals for 23, goals against 40, points 16.
Under The Hammers 
Hi Richard, as you suggest who knows what will happen tomorrow, will we play or not??? I do remember once that we beat MU in our last game and prevented them reaching their goal. Can we do that to MC very unlikely but not impossible with this lot. To be honest I am much more concerned with the future. Having got rid of our main target we apparently are expected to wait until 30th June to learn the name of our new manager; and will it still be Loopy? Or will Sullivan change his mind. Oh and what about selling and signing new players, are they all being queued for the same date. Absolutely diabolical for a company who relies on paying fans to exist. Regards Michael Batchelor
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Hi Michael
We’ll just have to see what unfolds over the summer. I reckon the new manager will be formally announced straight after the Man City game. Unless there is a massive April Fool taking place we already know who he is. I’d like to think he is already liaising with Steidten regarding how he wants to play and in/out targets. All the best
Richard
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Hi Richard, I reckon we could see Hammers unleashed tomorrow, rather than the usual dismal low block. Several players wanting impress Lop and others (before 90+ minutes of backpedaling against City). Looking forward to it!
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Hi John
I’d like to think that the approach to tomorrow’s game will be one of all out attack / entertainment. Luton will be desperate for 3 points – hopefully it will be end to end stuff.
I would expect it to be final appearances for some at the London Stadium as well as the manager. A big turnover is definitely needed in the summer. I wonder what our new manager has in mind? Can he deliver?
An interesting close season – let’s hope for some early transfer business other than the usual last minute scramble.
All the best
Richard
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Given the new structure with TS and Lop, recruitment should (after all the wasted millions) start making some kind of sense…I think we’ll also see more young players get a chance.
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Wouldn’t it be great to see some youngsters break through? It happens at many clubs, and given the success of our Academy teams you would expect the same here. Perhaps one or two now will?
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Lop had an excellent record in the Spanish youth setup, and we have a great crop of youngsters. I’m expecting we’ll see a big improvement in players making it through to the first team.
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If we can get £85m for Paqueta we should grab it. In Steidten’s hands that turns into 2-3 players of a similar or, in the case of Kudus, better quality. Steidten and Lop operate at a high level and both want the relationship to succeed. I believe there’s a good chance it will.
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I hope you’re right John – I’m looking forward to a real shake up, new faces coming in, and some moving on. I’d love to see more pace in our defence, and despite all his skills, I wouldn’t be concerned if Paqueta went.
I wonder what the new manager has in mind, how he will dovetail with Steidten, and if he will get the support he expects from the top?
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Paqueta can do some great things and exhibit some very clever skills but too much of a liability at times. £85 million could be well spent as you rightly say. I think we might see the best of Kudus next season if he is used in the right way.
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I imagine the days of players being used out of position are nearing their end. I’d like to see Kehrer back, by the way. I think he had more to offer but was thrown by Moyesball. Glad to see Benny and Fornals have recovered and are doing well again. Of the central defenders I’d keep only Mavropanos and buy in. Kilman would be a good start. Apparently Kudus would prefer to play No. 10. Looking forward, anyhow, to seeing how things develop over the coming months!
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Kehrer was a German international, Benrahma was superb at Brentford, Fornals a Spanish international. Add Haller, Scamacca and others. The common denominator – they all went downhill under Moyes and then improved again after leaving.
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