After what feels like the usual endless summer of debate, rebuilding and speculation, the wait is almost over. West Ham finally begin the new season with a trip to Burnley on Sunday, and for some of us the opening fixture cannot come soon enough. Pre-season has given us some (limited) reasons to feel encouraged, but like every West Ham supporter, we know better than to get carried away before a competitive ball has been kicked.
The close season has brought significant change to the squad, and there is still some upheaval to come. Some familiar faces have moved on and, as always, there is a sense of uncertainty whenever experienced players leave. Every departure creates a gap, whether in quality, leadership or simply dressing room character. At the same time, football never stands still and the squad needed refreshing. The challenge for the club has been ensuring that those exits are balanced by the right arrivals rather than simply increasing the number of players on the books. Unfortunately, the end of the transfer window never coincides with the beginning of a new season so there is still a lot of dealing to be done in terms of both exits and new arrivals.
The few new signings so far have generated some cautious optimism among supporters but more need to arrive. Hopefully, there will be an attempt to bring in players who can fit a clearer style of play rather than simply collecting names in the Sullivan style. Pre-season has offered just a few glimpses of what that might look like but is this enough? The intensity still needs to be higher, the movement needs to be sharper, and there needs to be a greater willingness to move the ball quickly through midfield. Of course, friendly matches rarely tell the full story. Every summer produces teams who look outstanding in July and struggle badly by September, and vice-versa. Have we seen enough to believe there is a foundation being built? The jury is still out but the picture will become clearer once the window closes and the squad is finalised.
We are the early season favourites to win the Championship and odds on for promotion. But that doesn’t surprise me as relegated Premier League clubs often dominate the early betting markets due to parachute payments and ‘supposed’ superior squad depth with players of top- flight quality and experience. It’s no surprise that Wolves and Burnley are second and third favourites. But there are several other clubs that have realistic chances to challenge for the title and promotion. Despite their points deduction I believe Southampton will be in the mix, alongside Middlesbrough and perhaps Birmingham too. And I wouldn’t rule out Sheffield United, Wrexham and Norwich.
Jarrod Bowen staying at the club is a major boost and both he and Taty should score goals at Championship level if given a good supply of chances. But the jigsaw needs to be completed before we really know what is going to happen. More attacking quality and creativity is still needed.
Does the squad look hungry? There has been competition for places, younger players have been given opportunities to impress and some of the established figures have looked determined to set the tone for the campaign ahead. Kante and Orford both showed some evidence of promise in the League Cup last weekend, hopefully that will be maintained, and others will shine too if given the opportunity. Unlike some fans I like the signing of Veltman, an experienced, solid versatile defender who should add to the leadership at the back, and in the dressing room.
But as West Ham supporters we are not without concerns. We never are. The squad is still a work in progress. Depending on how the remainder of the transfer window develops, there will still probably be areas requiring further strengthening. Injuries, as we know only too well, can quickly expose weaknesses. The opening weeks of the season often test the depth of a squad far more than its strongest starting eleven.
Last season had its difficult moments, especially early on, and there were periods when optimism was hard to find. The summer has at least brought a sense of reset. A new season offers hope, even if experience teaches us that hope and reality do not always travel hand in hand where West Ham are concerned.
The first test at Burnley is unlikely to be straightforward. Turf Moor has never been a venue where points are simply handed out. Burnley will see the opening game as an opportunity to make a statement of their own, and the atmosphere should be intense from the first whistle. Early season fixtures are often decided less by quality and more by organisation, concentration and willingness to compete.
That is why the opening half-hour could be crucial. I hope we have learned from the slow opening period against Portsmouth. Burnley are likely to start aggressively, feeding off their home support and attempting to put us under pressure. We will need to handle that initial period sensibly. There is no need for panic if the game becomes scrappy. In fact, the team that keeps its composure is often the one that comes away with the result on opening weekend.
Midfield could be the key battleground. If we can establish some control and dictate the tempo, our attacking players should find opportunities. The signs from pre-season suggest that there is some creativity within the squad (more still needed though), but competitive football demands more than attractive passages of play. It requires discipline out of possession and clinical finishing when chances arrive.
Defensively, we will also need to be stronger and more consistent than we have been at times in recent seasons. Supporters can accept the occasional mistake, but what frustrates us is when goals are conceded through preventable errors. A solid defensive performance on Sunday would provide an important platform for the rest of the campaign.
Looking beyond Burnley, there is genuine reason to believe this season can be productive, but expectations should probably remain realistic. What most West Ham supporters want is progress. We want to see a team with an identity, a squad that competes every week and players who are committed to the shirt.
If we get some quality new arrivals and they settle quickly, and if the core of the squad stays fit and the positive elements of pre-season carry into competitive matches, there is every chance that this could be an enjoyable campaign. Some talent is there. The challenge is turning potential into consistency. The Championship is known for its unpredictability over a 46-game season, and the league’s ultra-competitive nature means surprises are common.
For now, though, all thoughts lead to Burnley. Sunday represents a fresh start, a chance to put the frustrations of the past behind us and begin building momentum. As supporters, we travel with the usual mixture of excitement, hope and nervousness. That is what following West Ham has always been about.
The forthcoming season will not be defined by one match, but a positive result at Turf Moor would set the right tone. After another summer of change, we finally get the opportunity to see what this team is really capable of. But we won’t really know what we are capable of until all the exits and arrivals are finalised when the window closes. Like every West Ham fan, I am optimistic, cautious, worried, hopeful and excited in equal measure. We never know what we are going to get. The journey starts now.
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