Saturday 10 September 2016

Positive Feeling Descends Upon Olympic Stadium

Martinez: on fire!

West ham have endured a mixed start to life since making the move to the Olympic Stadium. An early season injury crisis has forced the club to dig deep into their resources to bolster their fragile forward line but, ultimately, the squad now looks very impressive.

As they prepare to receive Watford to the OS today, the good news is that Dimitri Payet is ready to start and can team up again with fit again Manny Lanzini. The mouthwatering prospect of an attacking midfield trio of Payet-Lanzini-Feghouli may have to wait another week as Feghouli played the first half of last night's Prem-2 (err reserves to us old timers!) 2-2 draw with Wolves. A late appearance from the bench may unfold today but if so, probably as a substitute for either Payet or Lanzini.

Meanwhile, up front things are ready to finally light up as Simone Zaza is set to make his debut. The Italian is a livewire and has looked impressive in training since his arrival from Juve. There can be little doubt that Hammers fans have high expectations for Zaza as he was the clear winner in a recent poll exploring who fans believe is our best striker when fit. Zaza seized 53% of the vote with Andy Carroll back in second with 12% and Ashley Fletcher third at 9%.

With Ayew and Carroll making good progress with their injuries, the other good news is that 19 year old hitman Toni Martinez is banging in goals for the Prem-2 side, with 6 already in 5 games this season for Terry Westley's side.

Despite losing 2 of their three opening games this season - defeats away to Chelsea and Man City are not too disappointing and the Hammers have a 100% win record at the OS having won 1-0 against Bournemouth a few weeks back. Today's visitors are Watford who have only managed a point so far and do not look like the side who so impressed last season. Even Mystic Mark (Lawrenson) thinks the Hammers will win (predicts 2-0) which may be a curse!

With the attacking options again available West ham will hope to finally kick start their season. Let's hope Zaza can mark his debut with a goal to lift our spirits.

COYI.






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