Here we go - "relegation six pointer" already beckons?

Its hard to believe but we are back already! After a relatively quiet Summer, mainly punctuated with exits, Graham Potters men make the long journey to Sunderland for the season's opener.

Its been a decent preseason in terms of results but that counts for little once the real business of the Premiership arrives. Potter will hopefully have gotten his squad finally schooled in possession-based tactics, while Sunderland have 11 newcomers to their squad and as such are an unknown quantity.

At the back, reintegrating Aguerd looks like a smart move with a new 3 centre back set up. Diouf adds pace down the wing, while Hermansen will hope to add consistency between the stick.

Up front, we can hope to finally get to see what Fullkrug has to offer - he's looked sharp in preseason. The continued absence of Summerville is disappointing but the prospect of a Diouf-Summerville left clank is exciting and should be possible in the coming weeks.

Midfield looks low in pace which is a worry. Potts may add in that regard as a substitute. Its hard to know what Rodriguez brings that Soucek couldnt offer, along with his exceptional aerial ability.....is he benched to rest him for an exit?

Folk on Talksport have penned this as a relagation six pointer which seems a bit harsh/histrionic but nevertheless a good start to the season would be very welcome!

KO is 3pm. 

Rory Nostradamus reckons the Hammers will expose the lack of familiarity in the Sunderland squad, with Callum Wilson coming on to score on his debut.

It's good to be back

COYI!!!

WEST HAM: Hermansen; Todibo, Kilman, Aguerd; Wan-Bissaka, Ward-Prowse, Rodriguez, Diouf; Paqueta;  Bowen (c), Fullkrug.

Subs: Areola, Mavropanos, Walker-Peters, Scarles, Soucek, Alvarez, Irving, Potts, Wilson. 

Hammers can play with freedom in Stateside clash

There's a clearer air around the Hammers as it inceasingly appears that the Paqueta cloud will pass with the talismanic Brazilian exonerated. More cynical observers await the fine print of any verdict as the FA are likely to try and closecthe door on further legal action by the player and the club.

Meanwhile, it's back to the real business of footy as the Hammers take on Man United in the preseason tournament in the USA. There's no Summerville but newby Diouf starts at left wing back with Walker-Peters on the bench.

interestingly, Nayef Aguerd looks like he can be a big part of the Potter revolution and again starts in a back three with Kilman and Todibo. 

Paqueta is on the bench.

Kick off is midnight. 

COYI!!!

West Ham United: Areola, Wan-Bissaka, Todibo, Kilman, Aguerd, Diouf, Rodríguez, Ward-Prowse, Souček, Bowen ©, Füllkrug

Subs: Foderingham (GK), Herrick (GK), Walker-Peters, Scarles, Mavropanos, Casey, Golambeckis, Potts, Kanté, Irving, Fearon, Paquetá, Luis Guilherme, Cornet, Marshall

 

What on earth are the FA up to?

 

As the Lucas Paqueta case trundles on and on, ever closer to the start of the new season, you'd have to wonder what on earth the FA are up to. 

The 27-year-old talismanic West Ham midfielder  has seen two years of his life taken up by the FA investigation which still has not reached a conclusion. Given the relatively low burden of proof which for this investigation is of ‘probable likelihood’ rather than ‘beyond reasonable doubt’, it is baffling that the investigation remains unconcluded!

Meanwhile, the financial repercussions of this bungled process have been considerable with West Ham missing out on an £80 million transfer, while the ongoing process has clearly affected Paqueta’s on field performances.

It seems clear at this point that this saga will run and run. The FA really should follow this up with a further investigation into their management of this whole process, while it's hard to think that the powers that be at West Ham would not be unreasonable in considering legal action against the FA

who really haven't handled this well. The very fact that the process has dragged on this long suggests that evidence to back the FA allegations is at best and unlikely to be enough to justify the profound impact this has had upon the club and the player himself. 

Meanwhile, it remains ominously silent on the transfer front despite West Ham's clear need to build upon a squad which is currently not well suited to playing within the Graham Potter system.

In short, the whole business has been a total shambles  and it will be a relief for all concerned when we finally get back to playing football!

Hammers chugging their way to the season's end

As the season chugs towards a dull conclusion, Hammers fans have a visit to fellow mediocrity merchants Man United. 

There's remarkably little to get excited about as this is truly a dead rubber. Both sides are looking towards major rebuilds in the Summer with the clearout at West ham already under way as Coufal, Fabianski and Cresswell all reach the end of their contracts. 

Similarly, Danny Ings is scheduled to finally leave the London stadium but many fans will only believe he's gone when he pops up at another club. 

It hasn't been the Potter revolution that fans hoped for as the Hammers have only won three games since his arrival and you sense the current squad dont have the attributes he desires.

It's an odd looking starting XI today with Areola between the sticks, Todibo/Kilman/Cresswell in CB with Coufal and WanBissaka down the flanks. Rodriguez, Soucek and Ward-Prowse manmidfield with Bowen and Kudus up top.

Is Potter looking for a draw you might ask? No Paqueta, Ferguson or Fullkrug but they may appear from the bench.

Man Utd have Europa League distractions so this could turn out a bit of a stalemate. Rory Nostradamus is going for a 2-2 draw with the Hammers conceding their usual late goal to mess things up.

Kick off is 2.15

COYI!!!

The Wolves Circle as Paqueta Starts

It's back to the Premiership and with 9 games to go the Hammers are already building for next season with relegation or Europe both now unlikely outcones to a season blighted by chaos.

Word is that the Paqueta case is moving in a more positive direction and the star has deemed himself fit for tonight's game - despite the incredible stress of a potential life ban in the offing!

It's a big night for Evan Ferguson as he starts and will be looking to build on his recent scoring form for the Republic of Ireland. Similarly, Luis Guilherme gets some rare match time as Mo Kudus is out injured. Niclas Fullkrug is on the bench.

Wolves, in contrast, are without their talismanic Brazilian - Matheus Cunha- serving a ban for naughty behaviour!

Max Killman will be hoping to impress as he faces his old mates in his first return to Molineux. He is in a vack three with Cresswell and Mavropanus. Todibo is on the bench.

Will Ward-Prowse treat us to similar magic to last season's equivalent fixture where he scored directly from a corner to clinch the tie?

West Ham: Areola, Wan-Bissaka, Mavropanos, Kilman, Cresswell, Scarles, Ward-Prowse, Paquetá, Guilherme, Bowen ©, Ferguson
Subs: Fabiański (GK), Coufal, Emerson, Todibo, Rodríguez, Álvarez, Soler, Souček, Füllkrug

Paqueta Pardoned!

As the Premier league kicks back into gear most folk are keeping an eye on the Lucas Paqueta FA disciplinary hearing. The talismanic Brazilian Hammer could face a life ban for alleged betting-related indiscretions relating to four yellow card offences from 2 years ago.

The odds seem stacked against Paqueta as there is only a need to establish greater than 50% probability rather than the criminal 'beyong reasonable doubt'. Moreover, the likely legal ramifications of not finding him guilty as such that the FA is likely to be well out of pocket if Paqueta is absolved as there will then be the question of the abandoned big bucks transfer to Man city to consider.

Amongst the many points raised by Paqueta's defence is that he tackles like Paul Scoles and is thus prone to more than the odd yellow cardy. Celebrity Hammers fan, George Windybottom, has also waded in stating that creative midfielders need to follow the Di Canio example and never bother to even try to tackle opposition forwards - that's how you win fair play awards, get goal of the season and play your part in the best ever squad to win relegation from the Premier league!

As the hearing rolls in to its third week there has been a major development as Chief Overlord of the Universe Ronald Trumpet has intervened by giving the Hammers star a pardon - even before a verdict can be reached!

The superpowerful one has deemed the FA's actions as "nasty" and added "i don't think they are very good at their job". 

He also confirmed that he is almost certainly a Hammer at heart as he stated "Money was never a big motivation for me, except as a way to keep score. The real excitement is playing the game."

It has also been announced that Liverpool are to be hit with 80% tariffs every time they leave the Republic of Scouse, which will probably have very little impact upon the outcome of the Premier League and will in no way protect the Hammers from a thrashing when they travel to Anfield in the coming weeks.

Happy April the first!

COYI!!!

Moyes versus Potter: tactical masterclass awaits?

By all rights this should be a classical dead rubber as West ham and Everton face eachother at Goodison for the final time today.

With both sides well clear of the drop zone but hopelessly adrift of Europeanhopes, there should be little to stir the interest today.

However, it's a case of old manager discarded in favour of more modern newbie as Graham Potter confronts Mr Moyesball in what should be a fascibating game of chess.

Both sides have glaring weaknesses such that the side tgat can dictate the game can hope to prevail. Potter likes possession while Moyes likes a disciplined defence and counterattacking with turnover ball. With both sides porous in midfield it's anyone's game!

Potter gas three centre backs with Paqueta playing well forward to support the marauding Bowen and Kudus. He may wish to give up some possession to draw Everton out but you sense it'll be a stalemate with the first to score having a big big advantage.

The Hamners are 29/10 fot the win - decent odds, especially if paired with JWP to score first at 20/1.

COYI!!!

West Ham Starting XI: Areola | Todibo, Kilman, Mavropanos | Wan-Bissaka, Soucek, Ward Prowse, Emerson | Paquetá | Bowen, Kudus.