Preview – Page 3 – Under The Hammers

Just four games into the Premier League season, but West Ham’s match against Crystal Palace on Saturday could be crucial for Graham Potter.

I’ll begin this article by referring you to Geoff’s excellent Monday briefing this week. It says it all really. Perhaps I can try to cheer you up?

Is the game against Crystal Palace a ‘must-win’ for Graham Potter? The pressure is surely building. West Ham have suffered league defeats to Chelsea, Tottenham and Sunderland to start the 2025/26 season; We have conceded the most goals (11), the most goals from set pieces (6) with all six arriving from corners. We have the worst goal difference (-7) equal with pointless Wolves, the biggest differential of goals conceded versus expected goals conceded (xGA) and sit eighteenth in the table. It’s not yet a relegation struggle but early indicators suggest that it may soon become one. Having said that one win could propel us into the top half of the table! But can we win this Saturday?

Derby defeats to Chelsea and Tottenham never go down well especially at home. But somehow they might have been bearable if we had been in the game and not capitulated once falling behind. Once Chelsea went 2-1 up, and after the second-half whistle went against Tottenham, we crumbled under the pressure. It didn’t take a lot for us to collapse. The 3-0 loss to newly-promoted Sunderland was the same after the first goal was conceded. A similar defeat to Crystal Palaceat the London Stadium on Saturday will be hard for us to take.

The manager’s record since arrival makes poor reading. It is in the Avram Grant area when it comes to winning matches. It’s eleven home games in the league, two wins, eleven away games in the league, four wins. As a manager Potter has faced Palace ten times and beaten them twice (4 defeats 4 draws). He says that everyone at the club is singing from the same hymn sheet. It’s just a shame that instead of singing ‘The Mighty Fortress Is Our God’ our keeper and defenders are singing ‘When I Survey The Wondrous Cross’.

One piece of nonsense I’ve read in the past week is saying that our keeper Mads is too small at 6ft 1.3ins. The tallest Premier League keeper is Nick Pope at around 6ft 5ins and most of the keepers are within an inch or two of Hermansen. In fact two Premier League keepers are shorter than Mads, they are Jordan Pickford and David Raya, and they do rather a good job and can command their areas well. I’m sure Mads is probably a decent shot stopper. He needs to be coached properly and convinced that he is allowed to leave his line and not leave it to our zonal marking defenders to try to win crosses that are landing within a couple of yards of the goal line.

Earlier I wrote about our abysmal record of conceding goals from corners (6 in just 4 games). We also have a big lead in conceding corners this season (32 in the four games). Every club (other than us!) seems to have analysts who have worked out our achilles heel. Ironically Palace have won fewer corners than all the other teams and are currently bottom of the league for winning them. If they have done their homework I reckon they’ll be moving swiftly up that particular table by Saturday evening.

Do you fancy some more positive statistics? Overall in history we have beaten Palace more times than they have beaten us. But if we take a look at the last three seasons in isolation then in the six games played we have lost four of them, winning just once, the 2-0 victory at Selhurst Park last season when Palace began the season very poorly.

Let’s broaden it a little and take the last six seasons into consideration. We have beaten Palace three times in those 12 games, all victories in South London. But we haven’t beaten them in the last six home games against them. That’s right you have to go back to December 2018 for the last time we collected three points against them at the London Stadium. Snodgrass, Hernandez and Anderson were our scorers in a 3-2 win that day. Of all the players on duty that day either in the starting eleven or on the bench only two could possibly be playing this Saturday. Fabianski was in goal for West Ham – could he make a return after he left the club in the summer? The other one was Wan-Bissaka who was playing for Palace that day but is supposedly not available for the game.

Let’s try a different tack and look at our recent form against all teams at the London Stadium. We haven’t won any of our last seven home Premier League games. The last three have been awful; we have lost them all scoring just twice and conceding ten. The last time we lost four home league games in a row Manuel Pellegrini was the manager. He never managed another game for us at the London Stadium. There’s a warning for you Mr. Potter.

Let’s look at Palace’s form away from home now. They have lost just two of their last seventeen away Premier League matches keeping nine clean sheets in their previous 15 on the road. Their previous nine away clean sheets beforehand came over a spell of 51 games. They have been very formidable on their travels.

All these statistics don’t make for good reading do they? Some questions in my mind as I write this. How did Kilman cost £40 million? How did Todibo cost £35 million? Will Brighton’s sixth choice Brazilian centre back on loan with us turn out to be an improvement on our other much costlier centre backs? Who will play in goal, Hermansen, Areola or Fabianski? I reckon Hermansen will keep his place. What has happened to Wan-Bissaka this season? How many corners will Palace get? Have we worked out how to deal with them? How many of my predicted ten outfield players will start the game? They are: Walker-Peters, Julio, Kilman, Diouf, Paqueta, Magassa, Fernandes, Bowen, Summerville, Wilson. There are some others I’d like to see given more minutes – Guilherme, Potts and Irving are three of them.

Do you think we can turn things around?

Bottom of the table West Ham visit the City Ground on Sunday

(Part of the Reasons Not To Be Cheerful series)

The range of subjects that can be studied these days is extensive. This week I came across an examination paper set for a group who are on a Football Satirical Studies course. They have to sit a topical examination throughout the duration of the course and this week’s paper related to West Ham. I included a copy of the paper in my article yesterday. There is a follow up paper for keen students where the Nottingham Forest v West Ham game this Sunday is previewed – I thought you might like to take a look.

Football Studies: West Ham vs Nottingham Forest – Hope, Hype & Humiliation Examination Paper

Module: Premier League Prognostics

Date of Fixture: Sunday 31st August 2025

Duration: 90 minutes – After 45 minutes you are allowed a 15 minute break (time may be added on at the end of each half of the exam at the discretion of the invigilator – just ask if you need more time – you probably will!)

Instructions: Answer all questions. Use tactical insight, historical trauma, and gallows humour. Cite Chris Wood sparingly. Emotional outbursts are permitted in moderation, although marks will be deducted (whether justified or not) for expletives. No marks will be deducted for incorrect spelling of Nuno Espirito Santo or Evangelos Marinakis although you are expected to refer to them throughout the answers to the questions. Additional marks will be given for appropriate use of Brian Clough quotes.

Section A: Tactical Forecasting (30 marks)

1. Using Forest’s 3-1 win over Brentford and West Ham’s 1-5 loss to Chelsea, model the expected possession split, shot count, touches in opponent’s penalty area and defensive errors. Include projected minutes until West Ham concede their first goal.

2. Evaluate the threat posed by Chris Wood, who has scored 13 league goals at the City Ground since last season—second only to Mo Salah. How should West Ham’s backline prepare, assuming they remember how to mark?

3. Discuss the impact of West Ham’s belated transfer dealings this week.

Section B: Psychological Warfare (30 marks)

4. Discuss the mental state of West Ham fans heading into the City Ground, where Forest have won their last four home games against the Hammers without conceding. Include coping mechanisms and chants of defiance.

5. Critique Graham Potter’s motivational strategy after two league defeats, eight goals conceded, and one goal scored. Should he quote Churchill, channel Allardyce, or simply apologise?

6. Nottingham Forest are fresh off Europa League qualification. Debate whether this fixture is a mismatch in ambition, form, or just basic competence.

Section C: Creative Prognosis (40 marks)

7. Write a fictional match report for a Forest win. Include tactical breakdown, fan reactions, and a post-match quote from Potter that subtly blames the pitch, the weather or any other laughable excuse.

8. Compose a pre-match team talk for West Ham, delivered by a disillusioned club legend. The tone of the talk should mix part Shakespearean tragedy with part East End pub rant.

9. Design a fan protest banner that captures the existential dread of travelling to Nottingham with zero points and a minus-seven goal difference. Bonus marks for rhyming.

10. “West Ham’s chances this weekend have been described as being like their midfield – thin, confused, and negligible.” Discuss this statement using metaphor, irony, and historical parallels. How will the club’s late flurry in the transfer market this week change the outcome?

Reasons NOT to Be Cheerful (Part 3) – West Ham’s woeful start to the 2025-26 season – will it continue when facing the Club World Champions?

October 19^th 1968. Does that date mean anything to you? It does to me. And to Geoff Hurst probably. It was a Saturday that didn’t start particularly well. I was playing football for the school 3^rd year team (I think that’s Year 9 in new money). We were a relatively small school with not a lot of boys to pick from. We (Barking Abbey) were at home and lost the game 8-0 to Dagenham County High. How can you remember such detail I hear you ask? The reason is what happened that afternoon.

With my school mates we headed off to Upton Park to watch the Hammers. We were 14 and could go to games without parents, not that we’d have wanted them with us. I’m not sure that you can go without them these days at that age. I remember lining up in the queue to get in. I think it was 2 shillings (10p) to get in but it may have been a little more. The programme cost 1 shilling. We had eaten our hot dogs from one of the stands in Green Street and were always keen to get in early to take our place on the ‘big step’ in the North Bank slightly to the left of the goal about halfway back. We always bought peanuts (tanner a bag) from the vendor who walked round the pitch before the game and at half time. We threw the sixpence down to the pitch and the bag of nuts was duly passed back.

But I digress. The game that day was against Sunderland. What were our hopes? Well we had started the season with six wins in our first eight games. Martin Peters had scored eight goals in those eight games. Geoff Hurst had scored six in the eight games. Those six wins had included a 5-0, 4-0 and a 7-2. We were third in Division One and at one time had topped the league.

We then went nine games without winning prior to the Sunderland game (although to be fair it included six draws). Geoff thought it was about time he overtook his good mate Martin and duly smashed home six goals against the Mackems (I think only the second double hat-trick scored by a West Ham player). Martin didn’t score that day but Trevor (Brooking) and Bobby (Moore) chipped in as we thrashed Sunderland 8-0. Ironically the first goal in the game took half an hour to arrive but once the goals started to flow it became a rout. Our next three home games that season saw us beat QPR 4-3, Leicester 4-0, and Man City 2-1. I remember them all with fondness for different reasons. We finished the season in a very respectable eighth place. Again, in true West Ham fashion we lost the return game to Sunderland at Roker Park 2-1 just nine weeks later. Geoff Hurst inevitably scored our goal. In fact he scored quite a few goals against them in other games too.

When I was young in the sixties I was always bemused by the older generation fondly telling me about how great football used to be in the days of heavy leather footballs held together by laces. They reckoned the game was better when shorts were longer and hair was shorter and players had a maximum wage. I suppose I’ve probably turned into one of them myself – the ‘it ain’t as good as it were in my day’ brigade!

So let me return to last Saturday’s opening day debacle in the North East. Remember we were playing against a side promoted via the play offs with eight newcomers in the starting eleven. An even first half was followed by an absolute shambles in the second period especially when the first goal went in. The 3-0 loss wasn’t just a bad result it was a performance that screamed fragility, collapse, and so many other words that you could insert. There was no bite in midfield, no pace, no power, no plan, no strategy, three central defenders who couldn’t seem to head a football. The third goal was exactly what I warned about in last week’s article – the 3-5-2 system leading to potential problems when the opponents broke forward at speed leaving gaps in the traditional full back areas. I wrote that better teams would exploit a weakness in the system. If Sunderland did then others will follow. There were defensive gaps that you could drive a bus through and attackers who barely threatened (Bowen excepted).

And now we face a home game against the top club side in the world. Well of course they’re not really but they have just won the Club World Cup defeating teams who we couldn’t even get close to at the moment. Our relegation odds collapsed from 7/1 to 3/1 after just the first game and Potter’s odds have shortened to 2/1 to be the next Premier League manager out. Unless he can manage to galvanise the squad and rectify the ‘oh so many’ issues then we are in a season-long survival scrap.

I hate to write this but surely we don’t have a prayer against Chelsea on Friday night. They have the tactical structure, Palmer’s creativity, Pedro’s flair and Caicedo’s midfield bite that gives them a spine that we cannot match as well as a choice of so many players that we can only envy. They have defensive solidity (6 clean sheets in last 10). Our confidence is surely fragile so is there any hope? In the past I would have fancied us under the lights at home but surely the result is just a foregone conclusion in our current state.

Chelsea have won four of the last five meetings between the sides. Their recent form includes victories over AC Milan, PSG and Bayer Leverkusen. Despite a 0-0 draw against an easily underestimated Palace team, who performed so admirably winning the Community Shield a couple of weeks ago, Chelsea did dominate possession (71%) and chances (19-11 shot advantage). Failure to win at home will have stirred them into upping their game this week. Finishing is a potential weakness and despite creating chances they perhaps lack a clinical edge (am I just clutching at straws?). Maresca will be pushing them for sharper execution in front of goal.

I desperately hope that I am wrong. The Opta supercomputer apparently gives us a 22% chance of winning the game. I find it hard to believe that the figure is that high! Come on you irons! Prove me wrong!

Reasons to Be Cheerful (Part 1) – West Ham in 2025-26

After inheriting a fractured squad mid-season in 2024-25, Graham Potter has now had the chance to begin to shape the team in his image. There have been lots of positives about the spirit, attitude, morale and togetherness of the squad in pre-season. But can the manager’s tactical acumen and calm leadership finally bring cohesion to the club?

Promising pre-season form doesn’t mean a lot really but in the games I’ve seen then perhaps attacking fluidity is returning, although still there’s plenty of work to be done. These pre-season matches have helped reintegrate key players and build morale which are a crucial foundation for a strong start.

It’s still early days in the transfer window by West Ham standards as we wait for the end of window bargains! Kyle Walker-Peters arrival on a free offers versatility and Premier League experience. El Hadji Malick Diouf from Slavia Prague adds youthful energy to midfield and could perhaps turn out to be one of our better buys in recent years. He could provide a new level to our attacking on the left in a similar way to Wan Bissaka does on the right. If the manager wants to play with wing backs (as seems likely) then we might just have an excellent pair.

Potter’s reputation for nurturing young players could perhaps see a few breakthrough stars this season? Potts has looked the outstanding one in pre-season. Are there more on the horizon? There have definitely been some very encouraging performances from academy products during the pre-season games. Potts, Marshall, Orford, Scales, Fearon, Earthy – they are all prospects. And Guilherme always looks like he could become quite an asset but we haven’t seen enough of him yet. Perhaps Cummings from Celtic or Kante, who has spent a season on loan in France, will be good enough for integration into the first team squad?

Another positive is that Paqueta’s potential lifetime ban has finally disappeared. (But why did it take so long?). Perhaps we can now see some performances from him that we were all hoping for when he arrived.

It’s a Mads World but we seem to have acquired a good young goalkeeper who is highly thought of. I don’t know how many we were seriously chasing (so many names were put forward) but we seem to have the one that the goalkeeper coach wanted. Let’s hope he is a successful acquisition.

It’s not about finishing in the top six — it’s about rediscovering identity and playing with purpose, entertaining the fans and giving it a real go in every game and in every competition. If Potter can mould the squad into a coherent unit we might just surprise a few doubters. But then again we might not!

Reasons to Worry about West Ham in 2025–26 (Part 2)

Graham Potter made an unconvincing start; his first season ended in 14th place, with just 43 points, a tally flattered by the poor quality of relegated sides. His tactical tinkering and lack of a settled XI left fans frustrated. If he doesn’t find consistency early, pressure will mount fast.

Mohammed Kudus, arguably West Ham’s most dynamic attacker (although he was poor last season wasn’t he?), was sold to Spurs. No direct replacement has arrived. Crysencio Summerville is returning from long-term injury, but will he be the one who can fill Kudus’ boots? The obvious midfield gaps that we can all see in lack of pace, mobility and power and a much needed box to box player, preferably two, have not been addressed. At the very least one central midfielder to match the criteria is an absolute must surely! We appear to be after Fernandes from Southampton. If true he would be the best of all the ones I’ve seen mentioned, but will it happen?

Only four senior additions so far in the transfer window: Diouf, Walker-Peters, Hermansen and Wilson. Only two needed a transfer fee payment and on the face of it they are likely to be good value for the money. Also, Walker-Peters is a decent versatile acquisition, and I know why Wilson has arrived although he is not really one for the future!

The squad still lacks a reliable striker, with last season’s goal output among the lowest in the league. Fullkrug and Wilson may have proven goalscoring records but they have proven injury records too. A younger, more prolific striker to assist the ageing duo is another must! Perhaps Marshall can step up, it would be great if he can (I do hope so) but it is a big ask.

Wing-backs (which Potter seems to favour) are pushed forward aggressively. Wan Bissaka and Diouf will be key in creating width and overloads. But this leaves space behind though which is a tactical risk if transitions aren’t managed well. Early days but there was evidence in the pre-season games in America that this could be an issue that needs to be addressed. Everton and Bournemouth could both have made more of this. Better teams might!

Opta’s supercomputer predicts West Ham to finish 16th, with a 22% chance of relegation, reflecting the squad’s stagnation in recent times compared to improving rivals. In short, we feel like a club in transition, a work in progress but perhaps without the urgency or clarity to make the transition successful. I hope we can step forward but if Potter can’t galvanise the squad quickly, we could find ourselves in the type of scrap that we thought we’d left behind a few years ago. A poor start could set the tone for another season of struggle.

Thoughts and Prayers: Ten West Ham Predictions For 2025/26

It’s the most wonderful time of the year. A new Premier League football season is finally upon us. But my West Ham glass has never been more half empty!

Cautionary Tales: Is Competitive a Synonym for Dull?

Nothing seen in pre-season suggests that a change of style for Graham Potter’s West Ham in 2025/26 is on the cards. In fact, we should expect an even more extreme version as he sweeps away the final vestiges of Lopetegui’s chaos to bed down his custom brand of cautious possession football. It’s unlikely to be exciting, rip-roaring stuff!

Although Potter’s style is very different from that of David Moyes, their underlying philosophy to minimise any risk is common ground. Neither embraces adventure or seeks to produce a team capable of taking a game by the scruff of the neck and pressing home their dominance.

Where Moyes prioritised deep defence and counterattacks to frustrate opponents, Potter does the same by maintaining possession in safe areas of the pitch, reluctant to enter the attacking third or committing bodies into the box. His rationale – repeated endlessly in last season’s press conferences – was to remain competitive in each game, even though so many were ultimately lost.

For those of a nostalgic disposition, remaining competitive might be seen as the antithesis of the elusive West Ham way, an approach best summed up by getting mullered 8-2 at home by Blackburn Rovers on Boxing Day 1963 only to win the return fixture 3-1 two days later.

A Goal Famine at Both Ends

The respective records of Lopetegui and Potter last season were roughly equivalent when it came to points per game (1.15 to 1.11) and goals scored (1.21 to 1.22). The significant difference was a reduction in goals conceded under Potter from 1.63 to 1.28 per game. Benchmarking these against the averages for Potter’s three seasons at Brighton and we see 1.16 points per game, 1.06 goals scored, and 1.26 goals conceded. Largely consistent except that the goal scoring exploits at West Ham look extravagent in comparison.

In his 18 Premier League at West Ham, there were five draws while nine of the other games were settled by a single goal (two wins, seven defeats). In the four games with a two-goal winning margin, the Hammers won three and lost one. It can certainly be argued that close games maintain interest until the end, but it is always goals which create the greatest excitement and interest for fans.

My prediction for the season is 47 goals scored and 52 conceded.

The Perils of Playing Out from the Back

I’m no fan of playing out from the back as the go-to tactic for every occasion. Apart from the very best drilled teams who have skilful players in every position with great movement and superior powers of recovery, it is a suicidal play. For the majority of teams there are far more drawbacks than advantages.

No doubt Mads Hermansen will perform better than Alphonse Areola who looks like a rabbit caught in the headlights with the ball at his feet. But please use it when appropriate, not by prescription. Even if the keeper manages not to mess up, can we trust our defenders and leaden footed midfielders to succeed in breaking through an opposition press? The more likely outcome is a sequence of sideways and backward passes before the ball is played back to the keeper again.

I predict at least four or five opposition goals arising directly from attempts at this flawed manoeuvre.

You Win Some, You Lose Some

There is no danger of anyone repeating last summer’s claim that West Ham had won the transfer window. The recruitment of Hermansen and El Hadji Malick Diouf are certainly positive – plus there was the contractual obligation to buy Jean-Clair Todibo – but otherwise it has been the largely underwhelming collection of squad fillers to replace the squad fillers that were let go.

At time of writing, the number one priority of many supporters to inject pace, power, youth, and creativity into the midfield has been stubbornly ignored. The straw to clutch at is that the window remains open for two more weeks. Still time for a wantaway star or a player issuing a come-and-get-me plea to make his way to the London Stadium.

If the midfield can be sorted out, I would have far greater optimism for the season. Unfortunately, past performance suggests the club will ultimately fail to act decisively. The remaining time will be wasted flitting from target to target like a butterfly; deals will prove impossible to conclude beyond the haggling stage; and a couple of free transfers will be recruited without fixing the original problem.

In such a scenario, I see us losing more games than we win with a smattering of draws thrown in. My prediction: Win 12; Draw 10; Lose 16.

Where Will We Finish?

The most positive thing I can say about the upcoming season is that I don’t believe West Ham will be relegated. There will be times when we are too close for comfort but there will be three or more (even) worse teams destined to fight it out for the drop. A total of 46 points or so would be enough to finish between 13^th and 15^th. It is difficult to see better than that.

In fact, I would say that the current Potter style of play places a relatively low ceiling on what can be achieved. A cautious 3-5-2 formation with a preference to keep everything tight and condensed in midfield is textbook mid-table football.

Ironically, if done well, the low block/ rapid counterattack football preferred by Moyes is more exciting and provides greater possibilities – as witnessed by West Ham’s purple path in 2020/21 and Nottingham Forest for much of last season. But as we know, done badly it is as tedious as hell.

The AFCON Conundrum

The uncertainty in any season is losing players for extended periods due to injury. West Ham are exposed to this in key areas, especially in attack where keeping Jarrod Bowen and Niclas Fulkrug fit is paramount.

Other absences are known and must be planned for such as the 2025 African Cup of Nations (AFCON) which will is scheduled over the Christmas/ New Year period. West Ham will likely be without Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Diouf, Nayef Aguerd (and Max Cornet) for all or part of the tournament. Games affected will be home to Fulham, Brighton and Forest, and away to Man City, Wolves and Tottenham. Plus, the FA Cup Third Round.

Many other Premier League sides will similarly be impacted by AFCON. West Ham should have the cover to muddle through provided the tournament does not coincide with an injury crisis.

Anyone For a Cup Run

A cup run is an opportunity to boost team and supporter morale when things are otherwise floundering in the league. West Ham’s recent experience is to notch up a few decent victories before being drawn away for a routine defeat at Liverpool or Manchester City.

Cup draws are rarely kind to the Hammers and last nights for the second round of the Carabao Cup was no exception. There were many more favourable outcomes than an away trip to Wolverhampton.

Once again, I don’t see Potterball as suited to cup football success. A look at his Brighton record shows exits as follows: 3^rd Round – twice; 4^th Round – three times; 5^th Round – once.

Predicted exits for West Ham this season: League Cup – 2^nd Round; FA Cup – 5^th Round

HOTY

This is an easy one. Diouf to win Hammer of the Year. A standout season for the left wing back especially once his colleagues realise that playing the ball into the space in front of him is the way to go. Whether there will be anyone in the box to get on the end of his tantalizing crosses is another matter. The end of the season will no doubt raise questions of buy-out clauses and moves to bigger clubs. Expect to enjoy him for two seasons maximum.

Top Scorer

Little to chose from here with no player entering the conversation for the Golden Boot. A 13 goal haul for Bowen would allow him to eclipse Michail Antonio’s record as the clubs leading Premier League goal scorer. Fulkrug weighing in with ten and Callum Wilson one.

Young Players

Many of the more energetic moments in the Premier League summer series came when the academy players were introduced as late substitutes. Their improvised exuberance likely giving the coach palpitations.

Freddie Potts was given the most minutes and will be a candidate for a start on Saturday. He looks to be a tidy player, but I wonder if there is enough to his game in terms of passing range and movement. I would love to see more of Luis Guilherme, but wingers are superfluous in the coach’s preferred system.

Others in with a shout to ipress are George Earthy, Callum Marshall, Ollie Scales, Lewis Orford, Preston Fearon and the mysterious Mohammadou Kanté. Fearon and Orford in particular showed a sense of purpose and adventure during their US cameos that is rarely seen from the club’s senior midfield players.

Of the group, Potts, Scarles, Guilherme and Earthy will be matchday regulars – but mainly from the bench as the coach persists with JWP and Tomas Soucek.

The curtain will fall on West Ham’s season with a visit to Portman Road

It was only Nottingham Forest for heaven’s sake! Having said that, I’ve got to give them some credit for the astonishing achievement of qualifying for European football next season. Who would have guessed it? Last season they finished in seventeenth place. This time they have more than doubled their points tally from the last campaign. We could still end up there (17^th) if we don’t win at Ipswich and both Manchester United and Tottenham defy the odds to finish their poor domestic seasons and beat Aston Villa and Brighton respectively, both of whom still have something to play for.

Forest could even still qualify for the Champions League, and it will probably be a disappointment, albeit slight, if they don’t after holding one of the qualifying places for so much of the season. Nevertheless, any European qualification is good as we know from a couple of seasons back. How we would love to be there again! A Conference League spot would be a decent consolation though, but with their last game coming up at the City Ground against an inconsistent Chelsea side, they will be confident of making the premier European competition.

Watching last weekend’s game against Forest I didn’t believe that we were ever going to score a goal after the first minute. But our captain, Jarrod Bowen was on the pitch and his wonderful touch and finish five minutes before the ninety were up and all of a sudden Forest looked nervous. West Ham finally came alive. At least there were some better attacking options on the pitch by then compared to the defensive nine we started the game with. With a small amendment to a quote by (in my opinion) the best football writer of all, Brian Glanville, who died recently, until the changes, “our midfielders seemed to wander around the pitch like well-intentioned dinosaurs”.

Eleven minutes was held up on the board but Forest’s time-wasting display with players laying down like sleeping lions, and more weird and pointless VAR checks, meant that it turned out to be another 21 minutes. In truth it should probably have been even more but another game was kicking off shortly and the people at Sky were getting nervous. Despite some promise in those final minutes the only real chance came when Sels pulled off a fine save from Fullkrug’s header.

And what about the officials? Recently the standard in so many games I’ve watched has left a lot to be desired. This game was no exception. I really hate to be critical as it is a massively difficult job. They may well understand the rules but so many of them don’t really seem to understand the game.

Graham Potter suggested it was an even game. Really!? He said we came up a bit short. A bit?! The Premier League Match Centre said that the referee’s call of goal was checked and confirmed by VAR, with Milenkovic in an onside position and Dominguez in an offside position but deemed not to be impacting on play. It took me about 20 seconds at most to see that when the picture was shown on the screen. But why did it take them six minutes? I’m afraid that is just not spectator friendly. In fact it is a disgrace. Was it the late Bill Shankly who once said “if a player is not interfering with play or seeking to gain an advantage then what the hell is he doing on the pitch?” or something like that. But then the offside rule like the handball rule and several others really needs to be looked at further, don’t they?.

The defeat brought the curtain down on a miserable season with spectators at the London Stadium enduring a torrid time with just five wins in nineteen games. We beat Ipswich, Manchester United, Fulham, Leicester and Wolves. Teams currently occupying 19^th, 16^th, 10^th, 18^th and 14^th places.

Every summer is important in preparation for the season to follow, and this one even more so with mounting unrest surrounding Graham Potter and increasing pressure on the board as frustrations grow among the fanbase, many of whom appear to have serious doubts as to if he is the right man for the job. Four wins in eighteen matches since taking over from Lopetegui doesn’t even match the record of his sacked predecessor and they are statistics that take us back to the days of Avram Grant. He doesn’t seem to be able to turn things around or get the new manager bounce that sometimes happens. We’ll have to see if he can do better with some players of his own choosing.

The slow, lethargic style with lots of short, sideways and backward passes that may pad out the possession statistics is leaving fans bored. Not to mention the fact that we are among the worst team in the league for shots and goals since Potter was appointed. The atmosphere at the London Stadium is flat which doesn’t bode well for season ticket sales ahead of the crucial summer window in which West Ham have made it clear (according to some?) that they have little money to spend without selling players first. Apparently, Sullivan only wanted to give our new boss a six month contract but was persuaded otherwise (with Everton waiting in the wings to give him a longer contract?). If there is any truth in that I wonder what the position would be now? It’s not hard to guess. I’m sure Everton are really pleased with the effect Moyes has had (so far anyway).

So here we are facing an away trip to Portman Road to close the season. Relegated Ipswich are the only team that we have put four goals past, in fact we only managed three once (Fulham). Our opponents will be up for it, hoping to end the season on a high and with a possible chance of moving up one place and the extra (£3 million?) that would bring them to boost their finances for their return to the Championship. We too have the incentive of possibly finishing above Wolves and also remaining above Manchester United and Tottenham, adding more funds to the kitty. But how much enthusiasm is there in the players? Ironically at least two of the departing players, Coufal and Cresswell had decent games against Forest and really looked up for it.

There are likely (and need) to be big changes in personnel in the summer. Two players who may go but I’d like to keep are Guilherme and JWP. In his (very limited) cameos Guilherme has shown to me that he possesses potential and looks like the type of player we need. He is still young I know but why hasn’t he been given a bit more of an opportunity?

Unlike most fans I believe there is a place of JWP in the team. I appreciate some of his limitations, but I would see him in a role similar to a quarterback in American football. His striking of a deadball is an asset, but I believe his inclusion in the team would work if he is supported in midfield and attack by players with pace, (not Soucek, Paqueta, Alvarez, Rodriguez etc). Also, if Soucek is retained for his ability in both penalty areas, then again it would only seem to work for me if he too is supplemented by skilful attacking footballers with pace.

It will be interesting to see if any of our loanees who return, or academy players, can stake a claim for a place in the squad if they are good enough. Apparently, Potter has said he wants to reduce the size of the squad, so I guess that should mean one or two places for these players if they are up to it. Scarles, Casey, Orford, Kelly, Marshall, Earthy, Potts. Perhaps a couple of these? Perhaps others? I’ve no idea but it would be sad if none of them come through wouldn’t it?

My player of the season? No surprise it has to be Wan Bissaka by some distance. What a buy he has turned out to be. Bowen has done well once again too. Nobody else really stands out for me. I’m looking forward to the return of Summerville next season as I believe he has great potential.

So, another summer of big changes, wondering who will leave and who will arrive. Yet again I wonder if we can get it right this time? Who knows?

A Tale of Two Cities – London v Nottingham; West Ham v Nottingham Forest, the final home game of a season that many fans would like to forget

Last week I looked for inspiration in writing my article to my good friend Bill Shakespeare. It worked in that we won our first game following eight winless matches. So once again I turn to another good friend, this time Charlie Dickens. I gave him some background to this week’s game and he has written this week’s preview for me. He begins with an extract from a book written by one of his ancestors and then goes on with his thoughts written in a similar style ……

An extract from the first paragraph of Charles Dickens’ A Tale of Two Cities 1859,

“It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the season of light, it was the season of darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair, we had everything before us, we had nothing before us”

“Pairs of contrasting words in the opening lines could be interpreted to illustrate the disparities between the fortunes of West Ham and Nottingham Forest as the season draws towards its conclusion. It was the best of times for Nottingham Forest. It was the worst of times at West Ham United. It was a season of light at the City Ground, it was the season of darkness at the London Stadium. It was the spring of hope for Forest aiming for the Champions League, it was the winter of despair for the Hammers who were fortunate that there were three very poor sides who would be relegated to the Championship. In Nottingham they have everything before them, at West Ham we do not know what we have before us.

Our team, West Ham, a team of valiant spirits, find themselves in a state of relative tranquility, with no fresh injuries to report before the anticipated visit of Nottingham Forest. The unfortunate Crysencio Summerville remains sidelined, grappling with the affliction of a hamstring injury, I don’t think we’ll see him again before the new season dawns. The resilient Michail Antonio, too, who is on the mend from a grievous broken leg; will we see him in a claret and blue shirt again? Nottingham Forest, too, face their own trials, with forward Taiwo Awoniyi convalescing after an abdominal surgery, after an unfortunate and potentially life-threatening collision with a goal post last weekend which will undoubtedly raise calls for assistant referees to flag for offside more promptly. The surgery, according to the esteemed head coach Nuno Espirito Santo, has proceeded favourably. The fate of Murillo and Callum Hudson-Odoi, both beset by hamstring woes, hangs in the balance, awaiting assessment before the impending contest.

West Ham, in their storied history, have triumphed in five of their six Premier League home encounters with Nottingham Forest, succumbing only once. Yet, the Reds stand on the precipice of a historic achievement, poised to complete their first league double over the Hammers in forty-one years. The Irons, steadfast and resolute, have remained unbeaten in eight home meetings with Forest in both league and cup, a streak that commenced in the distant February of 1999. The most recent victory, a 2-0 triumph over Manchester United at Old Trafford, has ended a disheartening run of eight winless games, rekindling hope and ambition.

Graham Potter’s side, emboldened by their recent success, aspire to secure consecutive top-flight victories for the first time since February, when they had vanquished Arsenal and Leicester. The Hammers, on the cusp of drawing four top-flight home games in succession for the first time since April 1985, are determined to uphold their proud record of not losing their final home league fixture in any of the past seven campaigns, a period marked by five wins and two draws.

Jarrod Bowen, a player of remarkable prowess, has been directly involved in six goals in his last six Premier League outings, finding the net four times and providing two assists. His ambition to score in four successive league games at the London Stadium would mirror the feat last achieved by Jesse Lingard in April 2021.

Nottingham Forest, on the other hand, have tasted victory only once in their last six Premier League encounters, drawing twice and suffering three defeats. Nevertheless, their prowess on the road is undeniable, having secured nine top-flight away victories this season, second only to the champions, Liverpool, who have won eleven. Forest’s triumph over Burnley at Turf Moor at this juncture last season has set the stage for their quest to win their final away league game in consecutive campaigns for the first time since the seasons of 2006-07 and 2007-08 in League One.

Anthony Elanga, with ten top-flight assists to his name this term, stands on the brink of equalling Bryan Roy’s Premier League club record of eleven assists in a single campaign, a record that has stood since the 1994-95 season. Chris Wood, too, has etched his name in the annals of Forest’s history, becoming only the second player to score twenty Premier League goals for the club in a single campaign, a feat last accomplished by Stan Collymore, who netted twenty-two goals in the 1994-95 season.

The current form guide, a curious and unexpected revelation, shows the East Londoners with the upper hand, possessing six points to Forest’s five. Historical encounters, totalling 121 to date, hark back to an FA Cup game in 1911, and also give a slight edge to the Hammers with 48 wins to 47, with 26 draws.

A victory in this game guarantees that West Ham will finish above both Manchester United and Tottenham, one of whom surprisingly shall play in next season’s Champions League, following their defeats on Friday night. This is but one incentive. Such a triumph would secure us 15th place at the very least in the final table. Depending upon results elsewhere, we could even ascend to 13th place, a position we have only achieved in seven weeks of this dismal season.”

Thanks Charlie. I enjoyed that. I may call upon you again.

Manchester United v West Ham – For Amorim: Much Ado About Nothing, For Potter: All’s Well That Ends Well

It should have been easy. Sitting down with three games of the season to go, last week at home to a Europa Cup finalist, this week away to the other Europa Cup finalist. It should have been boiling up to a thrilling climax to the season. But no, quite frankly I don’t think I am the only one who has lost interest and can’t wait for it to end. But wait indeed, I have an article to write.

For Amorim the game is Much Ado About Nothing. For Potter, yes it has been a winter of discontent but he hopes to make it good in the summer transfer window and he is hoping that that All’s Well That Ends Well. So, being stuck for inspiration I turned to my friend Bill Shakespeare to see if he could write something to thrill the reader. “The task is a difficult one, my friend Richard,” was his first reply. “Manchester United have nothing to play for, West Ham have been rubbish, and I know nothing of this game you call football.”

“Bill,” I replied “thou dost protest too much. What if I pay you twenty sovereigns and give you an insight into the match, the injuries and the form?”

“As you like it” he said, “but don’t tell anyone I wrote it as the mere mention of my name makes the readers eyes glaze over, inducing not so pleasant school flashbacks”.

Two teams both alike in 15 and 17,

At Old Trafford where we lay our scene…..

Act I: The Injured Warriors

Scene I: Manchester United’s Camp

Enter Ruben Amorim, the head coach, with Harry Maguire.

Ruben Amorim: Oh noble Maguire, thou art weary and wounded, Rest thee now, for thy valor hath been proven. The Europa League’s triumph, a testament to thy might, Yet, in this battle, thou shalt not fight.

Exit Harry Maguire.

Ruben Amorim: Chido Obi, return to the fray, For midweek’s absence, thou shalt repay. But alas, de Ligt, Zirkzee, Martinez, and Dalot, Still sidelined, their presence not forgot.

Enter Chido Obi.

Chido Obi: Coach Amorim, I stand ready to serve, With strength renewed, I shall not swerve. The Europa League’s absence, now behind, In this Premier League clash, my place I find.

Scene II: West Ham’s Camp

Enter Edson Alvarez, returning from injury.

Edson Alvarez: Three games I missed, my back in pain, But now I return, to fight again.

Enter Crysencio Summerville on the balcony.

Graham Potter: Crysencio, Crysencio, wherefore art thou Crysencio?

Crysencio Summerville: Who’s there? Is that you boss? Our strength shall not wane, In this battle, our hopes shall gain. For West Ham’s glory, we shall cheer, with courage and pride, we persevere. I’m getting better, my fortune’s mixed. But best of all the hamstring’s fixed!

Enter Michail Antonio

Michail Antonio: Though we are absent, our spirits remain, In West Ham’s heart, we shall sustain. With Crysencio, my friend, together we stand, Supporting our team, with a helping hand.

Act II: The Battle of Statistics

Scene I: The Head-to-Head Clash

Narrator 1: Manchester United, unbeaten at home, For sixteen games, West Ham’s hopes they comb. Thirteen wins, three draws, last four without conceding, The Hammers’ victories, a rare proceeding.

Narrator 2: Yet, West Ham’s recent triumphs, three of four, As many victories as in twenty-eight before. A league double, they seek to complete, Since 2006-07, a historic feat.

Scene II: Manchester United’s Struggles

Narrator 1: Eight Europa League wins, Amorim’s pride, But in the Premier League, six victories denied. Six games without a win, a dire streak, Since 1992, their longest, too bleak.

Sixteen league losses, a season’s shame, Eight home defeats, a tarnished name. Since 1962-63, such woes they faced, A campaign of sorrow, their hopes displaced.

Scene III: West Ham’s Woes

Narrator 2: Eight league fixtures, without a win, A longer run, since 2011’s sin. No comeback victories, a tale of despair, Southampton and Ipswich, the only other pair.

Four away wins, clean sheets they keep, Sixteen games on the road, so often they sleep. Fourteen points from fifteen, Potter’s reign, Only relegated clubs can match the pain.

Narrator 3: Potter’s record against Manchester United, Unbeaten in three, his hopes ignited. A victory at Old Trafford, Brighton’s delight, in August 2022, such a memorable night.

Act III: The Final Showdown

Scene I: The Battle Begins

Enter Manchester United and West Ham players on the field.

Narrator: The stage is set, the warriors ready, Manchester United and West Ham, steady. A clash of titans, a tale of might, Who shall emerge victorious, in this fight?

Enter Ruben Amorim and Graham Potter, the head coaches; they shake hands.

Ruben Amorim: Potter, thy team shall face defeat, For at Old Trafford, we shall not retreat. Our home, our fortress, our pride, In this battle, we shall not be denied.

Graham Potter: Amorim, thy words are bold, But West Ham’s spirit, strong and old. We seek a double, a historic feat, In this clash, we shall not retreat. So shaken as we are, all’s well that ends well

The players confront each other, tensions rising.

Ruben Amorim: West Ham, beware, for we are strong, At Old Trafford, we belong. Our history, our legacy, our might, In this battle, we shall fight.

Graham Potter: Amorim, thy words are fierce, But West Ham’s resolve, thou shalt not pierce. Our determination, our will, our fight, In this battle, we shall unite.

The whistle blows, the battle begins.

Narrator 4: The stage is set, the warriors clash, Manchester United and West Ham, in a flash. A tale of might, a tale of pride, Who shall emerge victorious, in this ride?

Well, what do you think of Bill’s efforts? A bit over the top I reckon. It’s hard to get excited but thanks Bill, you’ve done your best.

West Ham v Tottenham: 17th v 16th: The Underachievers Derby

This weekend, the London Stadium will host a high-stakes clash between West Ham United and Tottenham Hotspur. It’s always high stakes for the fans of both our clubs when we meet. Both teams find themselves in unfamiliar territory, languishing near the bottom of the Premier League table. With Graham Potter and Ange Postecoglou under immense pressure, many pundits have written that this match could define their seasons and their futures. I don’t believe that the one game will define either.

For the first time in Premier League history, West Ham and Tottenham meet while we are both are at such low points. We sit precariously in 17th place, officially the worst team outside the relegation zone. Well it would be really precarious were it not for Leicester, Ipswich and Southampton. Thank heavens that the three already relegated clubs have performed so poorly this season. Tottenham, just one spot above us in 16th, have lost a staggering 19 games this season—more than any other non-relegated side. A solitary point separates the two underachieving clubs, making this encounter a must-win for local derby pride for the fans, but it won’t change the fact that it has been a disastrous season for both.

Speculation is rife that Ange Postecoglou will be sacked this summer, even if Tottenham manage to salvage their season by winning the Europa League. Such a triumph would end Spurs’ long trophy drought and secure Champions League qualification. They have already reached the semi-finals and just have to overcome Norwegian champions Bodo / Glimt (what kind of name is that?) over two legs, before facing either (underachieving) Manchester United or Athletic Bilbao in the final. But even that may not be enough to save Postecoglou’s job. The axe seems ready to fall, with Daniel Levy reportedly preparing for a managerial change, or so we continue to read.

Graham Potter’s tenure at West Ham has been nothing short of disastrous. Since replacing Julen Lopetegui, who left the team in 13th place, Potter has overseen a dramatic decline. The Hammers have won just three of their 15 games under his leadership, culminating in a humiliating 3-2 collapse against Brighton after leading 2-1 going into the last few minutes. Have you read Geoff’s review of that game? ‘Careful What You Wish For: Is This David Sullivan’s Self-Fulfilling Prophecy’. This defeat mirrored Tottenham’s earlier capitulation to the same opponent (Tottenham actually threw away a 2-0 lead), highlighting the shared struggles of both clubs.

Looking at current form for both teams, in the last six games we have a matching record points-wise. Both of us have collected just three points from those games, West Ham with three draws and three defeats, Tottenham with one win and five defeats. Our North London adversaries rarely do drawn matches having shared the spoils in just four of their 34 games so far, less than any team in the top flight. At least they have a positive goal difference for the season as a whole having scored far more goals than we have but with similar goals conceded figures.

Only Wolves (of the non-relegated teams) have conceded more than the two of us. While I have highlighted current form just take a look at what Wolves have achieved under their new manager Vitor Pereira. They currently top the 6-game form league with six wins and 18 points. In fact it’s better than any team in Europe’s top 5 leagues. All this talk about the fact that progress takes time! It doesn’t necessarily have to. It hasn’t taken that long in Wolverhampton. And isn’t part of our problem the fact that this ‘takes time’ talk enters the players minds and becomes part of the reason behind underperformance? Potter keeps on about this being a long rebuilding job, and I get that in some ways, but taking us from thirteenth to seventeenth is just not on.

Potter’s focus on performances over results has frustrated the fans, who demand more than just effort. His post-match comments often emphasize competitiveness, but such platitudes won’t suffice if the team fails to deliver against our bitter rivals this weekend. A win against Tottenham could be the turning point Potter desperately needs, but another lacklustre display might seal his fate. He won’t get sacked if we lose on Sunday, but a poor performance will lead to the fans turning further against him.

While both clubs have bigger historical rivals—Millwall for West Ham and Arsenal for Tottenham—the intensity of the clashes has grown in recent years. Former Tottenham defender Kyle Walker recently described the West Ham rivalry as more passionate than the North London Derby, a sentiment that resonates with our fans, even if the Tottenham fans believe otherwise.

This match is about more than just points; it’s about pride and setting the tone for the future. As West Ham fans, we are known for our high standards and deep football knowledge, and we won’t tolerate mediocrity. As Craig Bellamy once said, “(West Ham) they’re the most knowledgeable fans of all the teams I’ve played for. You can’t kid them. They expect effort, skill, and resilience. They’ve been brought up on Bobby Moore.”

For Postecoglou, this game may be one of his last chances to leave Tottenham on a high note. Of course, winning the Europa League is probably his key ambition, but the Thursday / Sunday / Thursday fixtures effect (as we know from experience) could work against them and add to our chances of winning the game.

For Potter, it’s an opportunity to prove he can begin to lead us out of our current malaise. The fans will forgive him (a little) if we win this game (such is the over-emphasis given to local derbies), but they are already beginning to queue up questioning if he is the right man to lead our club. He really lost it showing more emotion than before when speaking after the Brighton defeat. Players speaking out following games suggests that the dressing room is divided. No evidence of the ‘we are all in this together attitude’ that you normally hear when clubs are struggling.

As the Premier League season nears its conclusion, can we begin to have some hope for what the next campaign will bring? There’s much to do over the summer. That seems to be a recurring theme at West Ham.

Graham Potter is currently facing challenges. Can he find the solutions to improve the situation?

Is he experiencing major difficulties, or are there minor issues that need addressing? Did he misjudge the size of the task? Is he up to it? The outcome remains uncertain.

Geoff reviewed our home draw against Southampton earlier this week, a game against a team that was relegated with seven games of the season remaining. I only saw the highlights. We became just the fourth team to fail to beat them on their travels this season after their win at Ipswich and draws at Fulham and Brighton, our opponents this Saturday.

Brighton sits in mid-table (10th) on 48 points and is one of five clubs who will finish between eighth and twelfth. Bournemouth (8th) has 49 points, Fulham and Brighton have 48, Brentford 46, and Palace 45.

The Premier League this season is separated into five distinct groups. The top pair comprises Liverpool and Arsenal. The next group of five (the “nearly teams”) are separated by just four points; Manchester City with 61, Forest 60, Newcastle 59, Chelsea, and Villa both 57.

Well behind the mid-table group are the “real disappointments,” consisting of Everton, Manchester United, Wolves all with 38 points, Tottenham with 37, and ourselves with 36. The three teams promoted last season have not performed well and are on their way back down.

A table I saw recently shows the points tally of each club in the Premier League compared to this stage last season. Everton has the same points as last time, while seven teams are worse off: Wolves (-5), Villa (-6), Arsenal (-8), West Ham (-12), Manchester United (-15), Manchester City (-18), and Tottenham (-23). We are 12 points below where we were at this stage last season, although we finished in the top half (9th). Forest is at the top of this particular table being 28 points better off.

I’ve just been reviewing Graham Potter’s media conference in advance of our trip to Brighton this Saturday. He began with the injury situation confirming Alvarez will still be sidelined with a back injury while Wan-Bissaka should be back. That’s good news.

He said he “understands the fans’ frustrations” at recent results: “We’re not playing how we want to play but to look at the bigger picture, it’s not so straightforward to change things. You have to accept things and be up for the challenge. I want to support the players, who have been brilliant, and we’ll fight together.” So the players have been brilliant eh?

He emphasised that in the games before he arrived (for the last two seasons he probably meant) the team conceded a lot of goals. His inference here was that they have now tightened up at the back and have been competitive. But not successful it seems.

When asked about our habit of conceding late goals, Potter said: “It’s a number of factors. It’s very complicated. When we came in, we were conceding early goals, and now it’s late goals, but it’s very tough for very different reasons.” What kind of answer was that!

Potter was also asked about Fullkrug’s comments afterlast weekend’s draw: “Sometimes you have to understand that after a game, everyone’s emotional. It should be that way, but when you’re a leader you have to accept the emotion and put things in perspective. Niclas wears his heart on his sleeve and he’s entitled to his opinion. For me, it’s better to have conversations in private. You have to be able to be honest and to think about the team as well.” I think he was saying (in a roundabout way) that he wasn’t too pleased!

These pre-match media conferences often feature responses that may seem bland.

I do wish Potter success and a productive transfer window. He has faced challenges since arriving at London Stadium, but it remains to be seen how his tenure will progress.