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!!!