Hammers Stave off Reaper (for now)

 

It’s a recurring part of the fabric of West ham that an unexpected good result is followed by a poor performance against less quality opposition. 

While Sunday’s display against Newcastle was impressive, the Hammers really need to buck their usual pattern and follow up with a win against Burnley this weekend. 

There was much to savour on Sunday - having fallen behnd to a wonder strike from Jacob Murphy, Nuno’s men dug deep to chisel out a deserved victory. 

The defensive organistion and tenacious midfield snuffed out the Magpies, while uo front Summerville, Bowen and Paqueta played with purpose and as a unit to keep Newcastle under threat throughout.

Fernandes and Freddie Potts brought a level of energy to the midfield that has been lacking since Declan Rice departed, with Potts gaining confidence all the time he gets game time.

But Newcastle had a host of injuries and an eye on Europe that was almost certainly a factor in howthe game evolved. Burnley will bring a lot more fight and will know that even just 10 games into the season that this is already a relegation six pointer!

Patience and determination will be key factors at the weekend. A big plus is that Nuno seems to have found his best starting XI and a formation that allows defensive stability with a decent attacking threat.

Lucas Paqueta had his best game in a while against Newcastle and can expect to be targeted against Burnley. That should provide space for Fernandes and Potts to show what they are capable of. 

Summerville is well overdue a goal to complement a string of decent performances. Nuno seems to have realised that Diouf is the best left back option to support him.

The Hammers are still 49.3% likely to be relegated on current opta supercomputer calculations. Saturday will greatly influence that rating - up or down!

After Saturday, West ham have a string of tricky fixtures bringing them to Christmas. If they can squeeze out some results between now and then, a few astutes incomings in January and we can push on. 

Beating Burnley is key to that. As fans need to get right behind them on what will be a crunching collision.

COYI!!!

Reasons to be cheerful; one, two, three...

At last, West ham's season has kicked into life. Despite all the pessimism of late, Nuno's men finally found a rhythm and totally deserved their win against a tepid Newcastle United. 

There was lots to like about the Hammers performance but three things stood out during the clash;

Firstly, having Fernandes and Potts in midfield adds much needed energy and allows Paqueta to push forward where he looks happier and is much more effective. Paq is well and truly back!

Secondly, we can defend if the midfield provides a decent shield. Newcastle probably dreamed of Bruno, Joelinton et all running riot through our usually sluggish midfield but had very little joy as Nuno finally found a formation that works for this squad.

Thirdly, Potts was outstanding. Comfortable on the ball and he's getting braver with more game time. Such a pity his goal strike was unluckily ruled offside but he looks the business and will surely grow and grow.

Burnley up next and a chance to build momentum as we smash our way out of the relegation zone.

We have hope once more....

COYI!!!

It's as good as we've got. Hammers XI for Newcastle

Here we go. West ham with the worst home record in the Premiership vs a Newcastle side that do poorly on their travels.

Nuno has an energetic mdield with Potts and Fernandes alongside Paqueta. We've got three up front with Callum Wilson spearheading Bowen and Summerville. It's a flat back four as WB and Diouf start with Klman and Todibo. 

You'd take a draw, gladly :-(

West Ham United: Areola, Wan-Bissaka, Kilman, Todibo, Diouf, Potts, Fernandes, Paquetá, Bowen ©, Summerville, Wilson

Subs: Hermansen (GK), Walker-Peters, Igor, Mayers, Rodríguez, Magassa, Irving, Luis Guilherme, Souček

It's a shambles with no end in sight

It's a sad reflection on how far West ham have fallen but after just 9 games Nuno's side already look like relegation fodder, languishing 6 points from safety. 

Nuno has one hell of a job to do to turn this around. His best chance is to scrap out a few results so that the Hammers ar still in a salvagable position come the January transfer window.

That'll be easier said than done with aporous defence leaking goals for fun at set pieces, a misfiring midfield and no central attacking presence. It's a total mess!

The visit of Newcastle today seems unlikely to offer any respite. Under Moyes, we might have tried to keep it tight and sneak a breakaway goal, but that is not Nuno's way

It's hard to see the Hammers coming out on top in a toe to toe with any other Premiership club just now. A loss to Burnley next week would likely see us 10 points adrift from safety - a tall task for this unhappy squad.

It's fingers crossed that Nuno has concocted something more viable on the training ground. Pushing Paqueta further forward alongside Bowenand Summerville, with Potts and Fernandes buzzing around deeper as Soucek does his physical thing seems like the best option just now. 

No doubt Newcastle will hae their own ideas about that. Let's hope ther is at least more spirit than against Brentford.

COYI!!!