Where to now for Potter's party?

Ain't gonna win the league now Fam, Bruv innit!

It was a day to be proud for West ham fans as the Hammers made the short trip to the Emirates and all but killed Arsenal's title hopes, taking all three points with an unexpected 1-0 victory!

The bookies has the Hammers at 17-2 for the win but despite an underwhelming performance last week at home to Brentford, you get the sense that Graham Potter is starting to weave some much-needed magic.

In fairness, the Hammers deserved their win with a highly disciplined performance that shipped only a handful of half chances to the Gunners whilst the Irons looked dangerous (and for once, coherent!) on the break. 

Naturally, it fell to the talismanic Bowen to deliver the killer blow, but there were outstanding performances from Wan Bissaka and young Ollie Scarles that left much to feel positive about. Equally, Todibo put in a solid shift alongside the dependable Kilman and Evan Ferguson gained some more game time and will surely soon get his first full start in Claret and Blue.

The back 3/5 set up worked well with Arsenal choked for space and amusingly, Declan Rice got pulld just after the hour mark and was forced to watch in agony as the Hammers derailed the Gooners titke chase for the second year running in their own back yard.

The win all but ends concerns that Potter's side might get sucked into a relegation dog fight as another 2-3 results in their final 12 games will surely keep them above anything Southampton, Ipswich and Leicester can muster.

More importantly, it gives Potter some room in which to continue his development of the team. With an attractive run of fixtures looming (Leicester (H: 27 February), Newcastle (H: 10 March), Everton (A:15 March), Wolves (A:1 April) and Bournemouth (H:5 April) before the chance to take a free shot at Liverpool on the 12th of April.

COYI!!!

Ferguson can be the new Ashton!

It's been a quiet January transfer window for West ham with one arrival and no departures. 

However, if West ham can finally find a striker to fill Michail Antonio's boots then jusrt the single incoming won't bother too many Hammers fans.

Evan Ferguson certainly has the potential to be a top class Premiership striker, with speed, strength and a decent finish. 

He's previously been compared to Alan Shearer, but Hammers fans will feel that we are still owed one from the Gods of Football after the untimely loss of Dean Ashton - a striker with many similarities to young Ferguson. 

Its hard to fully digest that Evan is still only 20 years old! He has so much time to develop and although the signibg is a straight loan without a buy option, his current contract at Brighton ends in 2026 so by this seasons end even if he has a successful Hammers spell his transfer tag will be much more affordable than the £100m valuation previously tagged on him.

He's going to be wearing number 34 and will be available for the Brentfod game on Saturday week.

We wish him the very Verywestham best!

A bridge too far beckons for wounded West Ham

As the transfer window edges towards shutting, Hammers eyes are diverted to the business of trying to eek out a result away to Chelsea. 

Graham Potter would undoubtedly love to get one over on his former employers but its a tall task as the Hammers are truly down to the bare bones and have a group of largely untested youngsters on the bench.

One bright light is the return of captain Jarrod Bowen, a few weeks earlier than expected. However, there is no Paqueta, Sumerville or Alvarez which has made for a makeshift midfield and a full debut for young Alan Irving.

It's a pity but due to transfer rules the game comes too soon for newbie Evan Ferguson and the returning JWP. As such, Potter is going to beed to pull off a tactical masterclass if the Hammers are to avoid a spanking like they received in the home clash earlier in the season. 

Then again, it's Chelsea and we are West ham, so the improbable is likely. Bizarrely, Mavropanus remains on the bench while Kilman, Wan Bissaka, Coufal and Cresswekk play in defence. Perhaps Soucek will drop back as a makeshift centre back but its a hard one to fathom.

Even harder to grasp is how on oddschecker Evan Ferguson is 12/1 to score the opening goal while Jarrod Bowen is 14/1! Otherwise, Chelsea are 3/10 for the win with the Hammers 9/1 against. The draw at 11/2 looks the best bet.

COYI!!! 

West ham: Areola, Wan-Bissaka, Coufal, Kilman, Cresswell, Emerson, Soucek, Irving, Soler, Bowen, Kudus

Subs: Fabianski, Foderingham, Mavropanos, Guilherme, Ings, Rodriguez, Casey, Scarles, Orford

It's Fergie Time at the Hammers!

Ravaged by injuries and with hardly a forward left with two functioning legs, finally West ham have some incoming. Evan Ferguson is on his way on a short loan until the season's end - a good development for both parties as the lad is fit again and desperately needs game time. 

But there does not seem to be any follow through with the arrangement which means he is likely to Lingard at the seasons end as there is no word of an option to buy.

Ferguson will be happy to reunite with Graham Potter and hopefully rediscover the form that had him valued at £100M before his injury woes. 

Ferguson is an undoubted talent - a physical presence with an eye for goal but still at 20 years old has much more to give. Potter will be an ideal mentor and with the dearth of attacking options at the London stadium he can expect to get a decent chance to regain his momentum. With Bowen, Sumerville and Kudus around him maybe West ham will finally have an attacking set up that can deliver.

Tomorrow night away at Chelsea would be a hell of a place to lay down a mark.

Welcome to West ham Evan.

COYI!!!