J-Lo in search of a Christmas miracle

Ho, ho, ho. Alright, let's be honest, we've all been dreading this game over the holiday break. It has loomed like a dark cloud, inevitable in it's darkness.

Right now, Liverpool are as good as they have been in a mighty long time while under the J-Lo leadership we seem stuck in transition - neither flesh nor fowl; leaky in defence, incoherent in midfield and stuttering up front.

With a truly dreadful record against Liverpool - both home and away, only the most naive fans can expect a result this evening. The Hammers are 15-2 against for a win with a draw at 9-2 and Pool hot favourites at 2-5 on with the bookies. 

On a positive note, Kilman is back and J-Lo has had tge sense to play Emerson and Wan Bissaka on the left flank to try and stifle the considerable threst of an on form Mo Salah.

Up front, Fullkrug and Summerville drop to the bench while Soler and Paqueta will try to create chances for Bowen and Kudus. It's a big ask but being West ham you just never know.

COYI!!!

Hammers starting XI: Areola, Coufal, Mavropanos, Kilman, Wan-Bissaka, Emerson  Alvarez,  Soler, Paquetá, Bowen (c), Kudus

It's all about to get very nasty for the Hammers!

West ham picked up what may be a massively important three points away to lowly Southampton yesterday as Captain Fantastic Jarrod Bowen stole in to grab the only goal of a scrappy affair. 

The Hammers are looking comfortable in lower mid table safety but the upcoming run of fixtures gives huge cause for concern that they are likely to struggle to pick up many points until late February.

Sunday’s home tie with a rampaging Liverpool side is followed by away fixtures at Man City, Villa, Chelsea and Arsenal with intervening home games against Fulham, Palace and Brentford looking like key fixtures in which J-Lo’s men need to get results if they are to maintain distance from the relegation battle. 

Add to all of that the sudden peak in injuries to Kilman, Fabianski and Soler, with Antonio sidelined for the foreseeable future, it’s looking like a worrying 2025 for the Hammers!

Tim Steidten is going to need to work some considerable magic in the January transer window if J-Lo is to avoid coming under increased pressure. A striker and a high energy midfielder are top of the needs list but Hammers fans will know that such commodities are rarely available in the January sales!

Fasten your seatbelts - it’s about to get bumpy!

COYI!!!

Happy Hammers Stumble Past Saints

Christmas is off to a good start for the Hammers as we picked up all three points away to lowly Southampton. However, it was another lukewarm performance with little evidence of a new system at play. With Liverpool and a wounded City up next, we needed to grab the points today and ultimately must respect the win. We are only 6 points off the Eurozone but really do not look like a top half side as Southampton were pretty toothless and a better side would surely have punished a generally lacklustre showing from J-Lo’s troops. 

West Ham Player ratings:

Lukasz Fabianski – 8/10: Fab’s career looked almost over when Areola took over the starting berth but he has battled back to remind us just how capable he is. He pulled off one excellent strike and then was the victim of a nasty collision in which he sustained a head injury. Areola is an able deputy and was solid albeit with very little to do as the Saints huffed and puffed and fizzled out.

Aaron Wan-Bissaka – 8/10: West Ham pulled off a real coup in bringing Wan Bissaka in from Man United and once again he was an energetic force throughout. He has been our best defensive performer this season and looks happy in his role. 

Konstantinos Mavropanos – 7/10: A solid showing from the big Greek. His physical strength was a real asset in keeping a lid on the supersized Onuachu in attack for Southampton. 

Max Kilman – 7/10: Along with Wan Bissaka he has been one of the Hammers’ best players this season. Taken off after sustaining a shoulder injury if he is out for Liverpool and City we are in big trouble. Todibo came on and played solidly and seems to be uo to the pace of the Premiership at last. 

Emerson Palmieri – 6/10: Emerson has a quiet day with only a few of his trademark forays forwards- possibly because Kudus looked well off form.

Guido Rodriguez – 4/10: Rodriguez really doesn’t look up to the Premiership - slow about the pitch and ponderous in possession, he is like another Soucek but without the aerial impact and goalscoring touch. Substituted with 25 minutes to go as he looked a bit lost and was on a yellow card. Almost sent off in a bizarre but correctly overturned red after a clumsy ‘coming together’ with Walker-Peters but in reality he had added very little. 

Tomas Soucek – 7/10: His usual go-to presence for headers and committed if clumsy around midfield. Also helped set up Bowen’s goal. 

Carlos Soler – 5/10: Soler has been playing well in recent games but struggled to make an impact today in a scrappy affair. Subbed at half time for Alvarez who was more involved as the Hamners tried to control the game in the second half.

Mohammed Kudus – 3/10: Possibly his least impressive performance for the Hammers. Looked off the pace and kept passing the ball backwards rather than doing what he is best at - taking on defenders. 

Jarrod Bowen – 8/10: Not at his best but clinical when it mattered with the crucial goal. A captain’s performance. 

Niclas Fullkrug – 5/10: Fullkrug is struggling to fit into J-Lo’s system but after such a long absence we need to be patient if we are to see what the experienced German can deliver. 

So, we are now in 13th, a point above Man Utd and level with Spurs. We need to bring in a high energy midfielder in January but sadly they are in short supply at that time of year.

COYI!

Fullkrug can be the fulcrum for Hammers attack

As the season lurches towards half way it's been a frustrating time for Hammers fans. Having moved on from the dull effectiveness of Moyesball, hopes were high that the incoming Jolen Lopetegui would bring a swashbuckling style that could push the Claret n Blues towards a European return. 

Sadly, despite an exciting transfer window with a host of top talents arriving while our best players stayed put, it's been a frustrating stop-start season so far. The Hammers look well adrift of the European action spots an languish in 14th with just 19 points - six points off Bournemouth in 6th.

There have been a number of key factors in the Hammers difficulties - Fullkrug's injury, a brand new defence that has struggled for consistency and Paqueta's loss of form have been big problems but in reality the team seems to lack a clear tactical plan.

Monday night suggested that perhaps the team are finally beginning to gel as the 1-1 at Bournemouth was a deserved point. Before that the win over Wolves was an important result and frankly the Hammers should have thumped Leicester but were sucker punched three times. 

The return of Fullkrug can hopefully provide the fulcrum for our attack as undoubtedly Bowen, Kudus, Summerville and Paqueta have the potential to upset any defence. The German makes his long awaited start today and begins with Bowen and Kudus in support. Sumerville can add energy from the bench, while Emerson and Wan Bissaka can keep things flowing down the wings.

Brighton, of course, will have their own ideas and have proven tricky opponents in the past for the Hammers. West ham are a tempting 7/4 for the win.

COYI!!!

West ham starting XI: Fabianski, Wan Bissaka, Mavropanos, Kilman, Emerson, Alvarez, Soucek, Paqueta, Bowen (c), Kudus, Fullkrug.

Feisty Fun as Hammers and Cherries share the spoils

It was an improved showing from Julen Lopetegui's troops tonight as they went toe to toe with a buoyant Bournemouth and almost stole all three points.

The Hammers edged the first half with a brave performance where they dominated midfield but lacked the necessary magic up front. 

At the back, J-Lo's lads looked composed but almost conceded a sucker punch just before half time but Fabianski was equal to it.

In the second half, the Cherries slowly grabbed the initiative until supersub Fullkrug had a crashing header from two yards brilliantly saved by Kepa in  the Bournemouth goal. 

Enter our recent buddies at VAR and the ball was judged to have struck a Bournemouth hand on its way across the goal. Ridiculous pedantry ensued with the happy Hammers donated a penalty.

Paqueta slotted to put the Hammers ahead with just a few minutes left but alas a stunning free kick from Cherries substitute Unai from all of 25 yards levelled it. It was the one moment of real class in a lively but sometimes scrappy affair. 

So, it finished 1-1. Probably a fair result. Importantly for West ham, we played with guts, fire and discipline. Fullkrug looked lively and mobile and is neat on the ball as well as a physical presence - we want to see more of our Summer signing!

Also, there was game time for Ollie Scarles and Kealan Casey which was a bonus In what was a decent team effort.

Three points would have been sweet but a point was a decent return. Maybe we are turning the corner at last?

Discordant Hammers Stumble South

It's hard to know what to make of the mediafest around West ham at the moment. Rumours of rifts abound with the bottom falling out of Julen Lopetegui's squad. It was always going to be a season of transition but right now the question is - transition into what?

Paqueta, Kudus, Todibo and others are all rumoured to be unhappy, while the loss of Antonio is a knife to the heart of the squad. 

After an underwhelming and fortunate win scraped out against lowly Wolves last Monday, some reports even suggested Lopetegui might go before tonights clash but that has not transpired. 

The squad tonight is less adventurous as J-Lo tries to stem high flying Bournemouths movement through midfield but that comes at the cost of dropping the impressive Somerville to the bench. Fullkrug is fit and amongst the subs, while Todibo is (apparently) injured and Emerson is on a ban. 

the pairing of Soler and Paqueta could be interesting but you'd have to worry about the lack of pace in midfield with Soucek and Alvarez filling the two defensive berths.

Rory Nostradamus is hoping for a draw but that'll require a big improvement on recent form as Lopetegui once again shuffles the disgruntled pack!

COYI!!!

Hammers starting XI: Fabianski, Coufal, Mavropanos, Kilman, Wan-Bissaka, Alvarez, Soler, Soucek  Paquetá, Kudus , Bowen (c).

Unconvincing Hammers Chisel Out Vital Win

Deemed the El Sackico by the press, last night's clash between fellow strugglers West ham and Wolves was always going to be a compelling affair. However, there was little evidence of quality on show apart from the effervescence of Jarrod Bowen who, ultimately, was the difference between the two sides. Bowen claimed an assist for Tomas Soucek's opener and then a tremendous strike for the winning goal as the Hammers ran out 2-1 victors.

But it was far from straightforward as the Hammers were lucky to be awarded the corner from which Soucek scored and there was a possible foul in the build up to Bowen's strike. Moreover, Wolves had two good shouts for penalties turned down by VAR. That 2-1 could easily have been 0-3 on another night.

But the Hammers will feel that they deserved the win after a sickening defeat to Leicester in their previous outing in which Soucek was denied a perfectly good goal for a perceived foul on the keeper and despite massive domination, the Hammers were suckered 3-1 by a modest Leicester side.

From the Hammers perspective, Mohamad Kudus was also unlucky not to get on the score sheet last night with two strikes ruled out for offside. 

Michail Antonio linked in with his team mates for a videocall prior to the game and had the Hammers goals dedicated to him in touching moments during the game. We wish him a good recovery.

The extent of Wolves discontent was hammered home by the distasteful scenes at the final whistle as Wolves captain Lemina tusdled with Bowen during the usual hand shaking exchanges and then proceeded to huff around the pitch like a child throwing a tantrum for another 7 minutes before staff finally calmed the irate player down. Pointless bad loserdom that only adds to Wolves sense of despair. We expect more from the club captain.

So, what next for Lopetegui? Bournemouth is another major test for the under- pressure manager. The Hammers are enjoying more possession under his reign but quite simply don't match the better sides and are vulnerable to counterattack from sides that sit deep and absord pressure. This may well only represent a short stay of execution as there is little evidence of a tactical plan that is still to kick into gear.

Either way, that's five wins which is half way to yhe magic ten wins that usually guarantees safety in what was always going to be a season of transition for the Hammers.

COYI!!!

Thankyou Mr Eastwood! It's Pink Devil time

Welcome folks to the annual Barry Mcguigan! Reading Julian Dicks’ autobiographt recently i noted that historically he believed that West ham could only hope for rare results at Ye Olde Trafforde but always expected a close encounter back at Upton Park. 

It’s a measure of the Red Devils decline, that despite recent patchy form, the Hammers will be looking for a win and a good performance today. Man Utd are up and down whilst J-Lo’s newly constructed squad hasn’t quite clicked and looks defensively frail. All of which points to a cracker today!

The absence of Kudus is a big downer for West ham as the mercurial Ghana-international serves a suspension for losing his cool on a frustrating day at Spurs last weekend. That said, Somerville is a decent replacement - pacey and unpredictable - and will be looking to make a strong case for more regular action. However, Kudus is much more than an attacker as his ability to hold possession in tight spots is almost unrivalled in the Premiership. Expect Man Utd to target oue left flank as a potential defensive weakness. Hopefully, Wan-Bissaka’s familiarity with the in form Garnacho will keep the other flank tidy. 

The continued absense of Fullkrug is frustrating as although Antonio remains a handful, especially for jittery defences, realisically he only has 60 minutes in the tank after which West ham lack energy up top for high pressing and related tactics. 

The Hammers will be really hoping that our midfield will compete - with Paketa, Soucek, Alvarez, Soler and Rodriguez there are a myriad of combinations on offer but J-Lo remains uncertain as to his best options. 

Anyone for a 3-2 thriller?

COYI!

J'Lo ready to receive Pep's allstars

Here we go. Buckle up because it could get choppy out there as the Hammers welcome Man City to the London Stadium.

Lopetegui has dropped Tomas Soucek to the bench with Wan Bissaka starting at right back. Hopefully the South American midfield triangle can hols some possession and bring Bowen, Kudus and Antonio into things.

City look their usual impressive selves with Rodri on the bench.

I'd settle for a point at this stage!

COYI!!!

West Ham: Areola, Wan-Bissaka, Mavropanos, Kilman, Emerson, Rodríguez, Álvarez, Paquetá, Bowen, Kudus, Antonio

Subs: Fabiański (GK), Casey, Todibo, Coufal, Souček, Irving, Guilherme, Summerville, Füllkrug

J'Lo's Squad is so hot right now: Bring me some Cherries to feast upon!

The depth of the current West Ham squad is truly evident for tonight's Carabou cup tussle with the Cherries. Despite only naming four of the starters from the weekend trip to Palace, it's a side brimming with talent!

Even without Paqueta and Kudus (both on the bench) the Hammers have a formidable line up that just screams goals! 

one muddy area is at full back where Coufal and Wan Bissaka both start with the expectation the WB will play on the left. 

SuperFab makes his 200th appearance as a Hammer and even at 38 still looks the business. 

Up front, it's a first start for Fullkrug and Summerville who will be looking to impress. The evergreen Bowen is captain. 

COYI!!!

West Ham: Fabiański, Wan-Bissaka, Todibo, Kilman, Coufal, Álvarez, Ward-Prowse, Souček, Bowen, Summerville, Füllkrug

Subs: Foderingham (GK), Mavropanos, Emerson, Irving, Paquetá, Rodríguez, Guilherme, Kudus, Antonio

Three Learning Points as J'Lo storms the Palace

West ham got their Premiership points tally rolling yesterday with an impressive win away to Crystal Palace. 

The Hammers had to endure a difficult first half but bounced back with two second half strikes from Soucek and Bowen before closing up shop to frustrate the Eagles.

Julen Lopetegui will be relieved to get some points on the board as West ham have a tricky series of fixtures over the first two months of the season and will want to stay in touch with the top six zone.

There were some interesting learning points from yesterday's win that point towards good times ahead for J'Lo and his squad.

First of all, the Spaniard has been blessed with depth in his squad. The bench for yesterday's game included an impessive array of talent with players capable of changing the action. And so it was, as J'Lo demonstrated a proactive approach to substitutions that was a key factor in tilting the game in West ham's favour. Tim Steidten has excelled once again in the transfer window with eight quality signings. In reality, Lopetegui has options to suit any situation that he might face when games hit the hour mark. Yestrrday he opened up the game with Fullkrug and Wan Bissaka and then closed the door with Alvarez and Todibo once the Hammers got ahead. Palace, in comparison, look light in squad depth and apart from the excellent Eze have limited threat in attack.

Secondly, the Hammers look more solid at the back. J'Lo is instilling a culture of holding on to the ball. Kilman looks very comfortable on the floor and with Mavropanos and Todibo as potential partners, it looks like the Hammers can hope to have a much tighter defence than last season where they conceded the most goals of the 17 unrelegated sides! With a few days left in the transfer window, cover at left back would make for an impressive set of defensive options. Personally, i think Aguerd still has lots to offer but he has struggled with injuries and isnow 4th down the CB rankings. 

Finally, J'Lo has enjoyed a bit of good luck from the Gods of Football. Palace did hit the bar twice yesterday and are a tough side to chase the game against. Perhaps more importantly, the bizarre circumstances by which Paqueta has remained at the club have been a real bonus as he has a unique set of skills and was impressive yesterday.

With the combination of a deep valanced squad and some good luck who knows what we might achieve this season?

Happy days again!

COYI!!!

 

Lopetegui will need time to deliver on the new squad's potential

West ham fans are entering the near srason with a sense of hope and positivity. With a new manager who likes his teams to hold possession, along with 8 impressive signings, it's looking like a new era has dawned.

Add to that the fact that the stars of last year's squad have all remained at the club and suddenly the Hammers have an unprecedented level of depth! With Paqueta, Bowen, Kudus, Ward-Prowse and Alvarez providing the base for an impressive an creative dynamic.

Although pre-season form has been patchy, it's worth noting that many key players were still on well earned holidays and a new style takes time to embed. 

And, as all Hammers remember, our best preseason ever was under the ill-fated Avram Grant era that ended in a humiliating relegation! 

But the new era will begin with a series of hard tests of the Lopetegui system. He will want to get fans behind his new side with decent performanxes at the London stadium. However, with five of his first seven home games against top six opposition, it's going to be a challenge to stay in touch with the top of the table!

This evening's game with Aston Villa will be followed by tough challenges against Man City, Arsenal, Chelsea and Man Utd. These will be games in which his squad's character will surely be tested. Fans will need to be patient and we will have to be sharp on the road to try to avoid slipping into the bottom half of the table!

That challenge is all the more daunting given that Lopetegui has opted to completely revamp his defence, with Todibo and Wan-Bissaka only just in the door And needing time to embed into the system. A result against the Villa today would be a perfect start.

The Hammers are 6/4 with Villa at 15/8 and a draw at 11/4 with the bookies. 

Rory Nostradamus has predicted a 2-2 draw. Kick off is 5.30.

COYI!!!

Say hello to our other 'new' signing for 2024/25

There can be no doubt that its been a tremendous transfer window at West ham!

Julen Lopetegui and Tim Steidten have brought in a host of proven quality players, including Kilman, Todibo, Wan Bissaka, Summerville, Fullkrig and Rodriguez that add genuine depth to the Hammers previously shallow squad. 

Decent efforts over recent seasons have derailed in the run in as injuries and fatigue have set in. However, that seems less likely this season as the Hammers have also held on to all their main stars.

And for some players, the change in boss and tactical philosophy will bring a new chance - chief amongst them the forgotten man of attack, Maxwell Cornet!

The French-Ivorian has endured a tough time since arriving from Burnley two seasons ago. At that point he was a hot signing with pace and goals in his kitbag. However, an initial injury was compounded by a lack of game time and the lad, still only 27, looked lost under the Moyes regime.

Cornet has undeniable ability but needs a frest start. Now is his big chance to shine in a more attack-oriented side. Fingers crossed, he has demonstrated great determination and deserves a break!

COYI!!!

Lopetegui era begins with big mistake

West ham have confirmed that David Moyes' backroom staff will be leaving the club with his departure. That means that Kevin Nolan's association with the club comes to an end, which seems like a big loss for the club.

Nolan, as former Captain and more recently head coach has been a strong presence alongside Moyes. His knowledge of the club and it's fans has been a real asset and he has been a powerful link between the management and players.

While it is something of an inevitability that new boss Julen Lopetegui would want to bring in his own backroom team, Nolan's loss will be significant. Oe has to wonder why the club cannot find a way to maintain his contribution.

This feels like a big mistake as the Hammers enter a new era.

Hmmmm.

COYI

Mixed Emotions as Moyes' Era comes to a close

 

It's been a successful four and a half years for West ham since David Moyes returned to the helm. The club have ditched their yo-yo status and transformed into a regular European contender. Three consecutive European campaigns with victory in the Europa conference last season emphasises the depth of the transformation David Moyes has overseen.

But, thete is a sense that the journey has finally fizzled out. The high jinks of the Leverkusen home leg could not conceal what has been a mediocre Premiership season. The Moyes' system works but inevtably fans want to watch football where the Hammers hold onto possession and take a few more risks. The prospect of the lies of Bowen, Kudus and Paqueta cutting loose on opponents is too exciting to put off any longer and in Lopetegui the board trust!

We've been here before with the Pellegrini era but hopefully this time we can play more effective attacking football. Either way, there can be no denying the calibre of David Moyes and let's hope the players put in a quality performance today to acknowledge his contribution over recent years.

Farewell David, good fortune in your next adventure. It's been a blast!

COYI!!!

Even Nostradamus Couldn't Predict Tonight's Hammers-Spurs Clash!

Tonight will be a big test for David Moyes' men as they look to bounce back from Saturday's dismal implosion at Newcastle. 

Having delivered 77 minutes of perfect Moyesball to lead 3-1, they managed to leak three goal and run out 4-3 losers!

Once again Kalvin Philips was a major culprit, this time giving away a soft penalty that signalled the start of the Magpies stunning comeback.

But the result aside, the Hammers showed that they are much more cohesive up front with the Antonio, Paqueta, Bowen and Kudus diamond. They just need to defend better at key moments.

Which makes Edison Alvarez's absence all the more relevant to tonight's game. 

Moyes has stuck with Saturdays hero-villains for his starting XI. 

With Spurs in dreadful away form God only knows what tonight will bring. Hopefully VAR won't be the final decider.

West Ham United: Fabiański, Coufal, Mavropanos, Zouma ©, Emerson, Ward-Prowse, Souček, Paquetá, Kudus, Bowen, Antonio

Subs: Anang (GK), Johnson, Cresswell, Ogbonna, Phillips, Earthy, Cornet, Ings, Mubama

Busy busy busy as Hammers return to fight on domestic front

We are well and truly into the busy period now as David Moyes has shuffled the pack following Thursday's disappointing defeat to Freiberg, resting Zouma and Alvarez ahead of next Thursday's crunch second leg against the German side.

Burnley arrive today desperate for points in their deepening relegation battle. The Hammers are still luring around the margins of a European qualification spot after decent wins over Everton and Brentford. 

Up top, the Hammers look strong with Paqueta, Kudus and Bowen hoping to continue their good recent form. Antonio is on the bench and ready to deliver plan B if required. 

Burnley need to launch a Tevez-style great escape as they are bottom of the league, 11 points from safety with just 11 games to play. It's a welcome back to the London stadium for Josh Cullen who partners Sander Berge in the Burnley midfield where the game will be won or lost today.

The Hammers are 4/7 to win, Burnley 4/1, with the draw at 3/1. First goal will be crucial. Rory Nostradamus is going for a hard fought 2-1 win for Moyes' men. 

COYI!!!

West Ham United: Areola, Coufal, Mavropanos, Aguerd, Cresswell, Phillips, Souček ©, Ward-Prowse, Paquetá, Kudus, Bowen

Subs: Fabiański (GK), Johnson, Ogbonna, Zouma, Álvarez, Earthy, Ings, Antonio, Mubama

Time to focus - the business end of the season has truly begun

It's been a drab January at West ham, with an annoying cup exit to Bristol city, injuries and Afcon absences and an underwhelming transfer window.

The drawn games against Sheff Utd and Bournemouth have taken the energy out of Moyes' mens push for a European spot, while the continued absences of Paqueta and Antonio have left us sonewhat blunt up top.

That said, a win today at Ye Olde Trafford would raise the spirits and kick start our stuttering season.  The good news is that Coufal and Aguerd are back in the starting XI, while Alvarez and Bowen will be sharper as they recover from recent niggles.

Man Utd are also moving back towards their strongest side and will be buoyed by their win over Wolves. 

Let's hope Moyes doesn't go all cagey - a rarely successful strategy against the bigger clubs but one he seems to rigidly follow. This Man Utd side is certainly vulnerable if you attack them.

Anyone for a 2-2 draw? Moyes' men rarely fail to score these days but are not as tight at the back as they could be. Interestingly, Pablo Fornals is quoted at 11/2 to score by the bookies!!!

West Ham United: Areola, Coufal, Johnson, Zouma ©, Aguerd, Emerson, Álvarez, Souček, Ward-Prowse, Kudus, Bowen

Subs: Fabiański (GK), Mavropanos, Ogbonna, Cresswell, Scarles, Phillips, Cornet, Ings, Mubama

Hammers dig deep as absences bite hard

It's pretty thin in the West ham dressing room right now with Kudus and Aguerd at the AFCON and Alvarez, Paqueta and Antonio injured. Said Benrahma starts his 3 match ban leaving a patched together side to face the Blades up in Sheffield.

Yes, it's still a grudge match and both sides really needs points just now, albeit for very different reasons with the Hammers perched to attack the European slots, while Sheff United are rock bottom of the league.

All in all the availability of Bowen and Fornals is a plus but there are no gamechangers on the bench which contains a host of youngsters. 

It'll be a testy clash for sure and conditions will surely add to the mix. It might be more heavy metal than ballet out there today but hopefully the Hammers can find that extra moment of class.

COYI!!!

WEST HAM: Areola, Coufal, Mavropanos, Zouma, Emerson Palmieri, Ward-Prowse, Soucek, Cornet,  Fornals, Ings, Bowen

Ouch! Moyes starting XI signals serious intentions

There can be no doubting that David Moyes plans to make swift progress in the FA cup as he has fielded his strongest available XI for today's third roud clash with Bristol City!

In come Zouma, Paqueta and Coufal with al the usual big game starters. Perhaps Moyes was bruised by the Carabou cup thrashing at Liverpool, or maybe with a break looming he wants his players to have some fun?

Yes, the forbidden 'F' word....fun, fun, fun.

Let's do this

COYI!!!

West Ham: Fabiański, Coufal, Zouma ©, Mavropanos, Emerson, Álvarez, Souček, Ward-Prowse, Paqueta, Fornals, Bowen

Subs: Areola (GK), Johnson, Cresswell, Ings, Ogbonna, Coventry, Benrahma, Cornet, Mubama

Let's keep the happy holiday spirit going

It's FA cup time as Championship mid-tablers Bristol City visit the London Stadium hoping to deliver an upset against high flying West Ham. 

The Hammers are depleted with Aguerd and Kudus on International duty, and both Zouma and Paqueta due to have fitness tests before the team is announced. 

David Moyes will want to avoid a defeat or a replay to allow for a much-needed fortnight's rest before our next Premiership clash with Sheffield United. After an excellent Christmas period with wins over Man Utd and Arsenal, and no goals conceded for four consecutive games, it's a tall order for Bristil City today, but the Cup is the cup, and usual bets are often put aside in what remains a fantastic competition.

Today's game could provide a farewell appearance for Said Benrahma who is rumoured to be Fulham bound in the transfer window.

Divin Mubama will be hoping for a rare start and a chance to lay stake to a key place in Moyes plans as Danny Ings may also be on his way out of the club leaving a sizeable gap at centre forward with Michail Antonio struggling for fitness (and form). 

Kick off is 2pm. Verywestham will be watching from The Inn Place in Puerto Del Carmen - a fine Hammers hostelry for vacationing Irons. It also features an impressive display of Hammers memorabilia throughout the bar.

The bookies have West ham at 4/11 on to win, 3/1 the draw and 6/1 for a Robins win.

COYI!!!