Arise Sir Mavropanus!

Historically, West Ham as a club do seem to get joy from wrecking other clubs dreams of Premiership glory, including last season's crucial defeat of Arsenal that ended their title aspirations.

This year, the Irons appear to have decided that Mr Rice has suffered enough as they all but handed the title to the Gooners by pulling off a gutsy draw against Moon City. 

Despite falling behind to a flukey Bernardo Silva goal, the Hammers hit back and chiselled out a superb 1-1 result that ruined City's title race and could be crucial for survival come season's end.

At the centre of it was a hustling midfield with a rock solid defence. Diouf and Wan Bissaka were unruffled by Man City's tricky wing play, while Hermansen was once again cool and collected. Disasi, Todibo and Mavropanos stuck to their tasks in an almost impenetrable back three.

But it was Dino who stole the show. The Greek centre back was simply a colossus, with match stats that show ten clearances and four blocks, topping it all off with a crucial goal that ultimately earned the courageous Hammers a crucial point!

As injury time beckoned he even took a Haaland sledgehammer to the face for the cause. A mere mortal would have been hospitalised, such was the force of the impact that even Michael Oliver was forced to halt proceedings for two mjnutes until the Greek rose triumphantly with a cheeky smile!

Mavropanus has been in his best ever form for the past dozen games or so and has totally clicked with the robust Disasi. He fully deserved his MOTM.

Last night saw the Hammers finally peep our heads above the relegation mire and, importantly, sent a clear message to Forest, Spurs and Leeds that this is gonna be a massive battle for which the Hammers are fully committed.

Villa away next is another tough one but let's hope we can keep the momentum. 

COYI!!!

The computer is starting to say 'YES' to Hammers survival!

After all the excitement of the FA cup fifth round victory over Brentford on Monday night, it’s back to the meat ‘n veg of Premiership football this weekend for the Hammers, as they continue to try and chisel their way out of the relegation zone. 

The good news of recent days is that it appears that Crysenthio Somerville's injury is not as serious as initially appeared and although he will miss the visit of Manchester city on Saturday, he may be back for the trip to Villa the following weekend.

Manchester City will be bruised after a 3-0 thumping by Real Madrid last night at the Bernabeu, but in reality, it is now 20 games since West Ham last won against Manchester City in 2015. That said, the Hammers look defensively more solid since the arrival of Axel Disasi and last night's game proved once again that Manchester City can be defensively vulnerable.

In reality, West Ham’s future will be decided in their final seven games in which, apart from the clash with Arsenal, they will hope to pick up points in each of the other six games. 

Interestingly, the super computer dipped in recent days to a 49% likelihood for west ham being relegated. While Nottingham Forest may have a relatively softer run in, at this point a completely out of sorts Tottenham Hotspur look to be in free-fall and their injury depleted squad faces a series of tough games in the run in. At\n This point, it appears that predictions that Spurs will survive the drop are based mainly on reputation rather than any recent form or the suitability of their current squad to engage in the trench warfare that a relegation run in requires.

While West Ham are enjoying their frolics in the FA Cup, both Forest and Tottenham still have European commitments, which are further draining their resources and in Tottenham's case further adding to their appalling run of form and chaotic loss of confidence. The performance against Atletico Madrid in mid week was so comically shambolic that it has provoked rumours that Igor Tudor may be sacked in the coming weeks, further adding to the unrest and chaos.

Tottenham and Forest face each other at White Hart Lane on March the 22nd, and you sense that whichever team loses that fixture will ultimately be relegated. 

West Ham, meanwhile, need to focus on continuing their recent run of form and collecting as many points as possible. 

COYI!!!

Happy Hammers Prevail in Night of Great Theatre! But....

It's been a truly depressing season for West ham in which a narrative of decline has tested fans patience and belief. On field, the Hammers have stuttered with a leaky chaotic defence, slow and porous midfield and disorganised attack. Managerially, Graham Potter was unable to impose any purpose or system and eventually had to be shown the door by a board that looks to have run out of time and ideas.

In a league as unforgiving as the Premiership there can only be one outcome and inevitably West ham have found themselves trapped in the relegation zone, at one point a whopping eight points adrift of salvation.

Enter Nuno, a portuguese managerial wizard. Initially, it looked like the circus would continue. The form improved but the results didn't as he managed only two victories in his first 14 matches. 

Come January, the Hammers looked doomed. After a Christmas campaign that offered four winnable matches a mere 2 points were accumulated. Our 'best' player in Lucas Paqueta decided that he wanted to go home to daddy in Brazil and Nuno was left scratching around the unwanted leftovers that the January transfer window offers.

The stage for a complete implosion had been set: ruin ourselves paying over the odds for overpriced misfits and rejects trying to avoid the inevitable. Fire sale in the Summer and returning to a half empty Olympic stadium to host Chumpionship footy with a demoralised squad. 

But Nuno had other plans. In came Taty, Magassa, Pedro and Disasi. Potts was elevated to regular game time. Wilson stayed put. Wan Bisssaka and Diouf returned from the Afcon.

Taty and Pedro added a much needed edge up front. Summerville hit form, terrorising right backs and scoring goals. The midfield suddenly had legs and Fernandes stepped into Paqueta's playmaker role. Disasi added muscle and guile to the defence while Hermansen came in from the cold.

The results have followed. The relegation-soaked bad luck has continued to pulse hrre and there as vital points have been squandered against Brighton, Chelsea and Man Utd, but our spirit has been strong. 

Last night a weakened starting XI erased the horrible memories of Brentford's last visit to the London Stadium when they won 2-0 with hardly a punch thrown by a hapless Hammers side. Last night we erased that memory with passion and fluidity. Bowen is back on the score sheet and even Traore looked like he knew what he was doing. 

And we have sneaked our way to a cup quarter final where Leeds at home stands between us and a Wembley semi final.

West Ham's penalties last night spoke of a team that has found it's groove and regained it's confidence. Kelliker is a tremendous penalty stopper but simply had no chance against any of the Hammers five spot kicks.

The injury to Summerville is a definite worry but hopefully is just a minor knock. 

Two tough games loom with Man City (h) and Villa (a) but we look capable of competing with anybody just now. After that it's a 7 game run in with heaps of points on offer.

Happy days just now!

COYI!!!

There's only one Wilson! Craven cottage Team sheets throw up some surprises

Nuno has gone for pace and offensive power tonight as he has brought in Callum Wilson up front and Todibo at CB as the Hammers try to shoot their way out of the relagation zone. Forest take on Man City, so a win against Fulham could fire the Hammers out of the bottom three. 

Kostas Mavropanus and Magassa drop to the bench. 

Harry Wilson is missing for Fulham which will be seen as a boost for the Hammers but Fulham are no mugs as they sit in 9th and are hoping to push for Europe.

With just ten games left, it's time to start making our move for freedom. After an annoying loss at Anfield, Nuno will be looking to bouncd back and his selection roars positivity.

Kick off is 7.30.

COYI!!!

WEST HAM: Hermansen, Wan-Bissaka, Disasi, Todibo, Diouf, Soucek, Fernandes, Summerville, Bowen, Castellanos, Wilson

Substitutes: Areola, Walker-Peters, Kilman, Mavropanos, Traore, Lamadrid, Magassa, Scarles, Kante

Nuno is gonna shoot the Hammers out of Dodge!

Just when it looked like the Hammers were heading for Chumpionship footy, suddenly Nuno’s embattled troops have clicked into gear!

After a disastrous Christmas campaign, in which they only picked up one point in four winnable games, the message seems to have finally reached the players - if we can't defend, then we've gotta score, score, score!

Instead of bringing in defenders to shore up our leaky defence, Nuno has elected to bring in Pedro and Taty - both energetic attackers who are bringing vital life to a side that looked dead in the water!

And of course an away trip to Spudsville was the perfect place to start the Great Escape Part Two! With both Bowen and Summerville revitalised, the Hammers look like they are full of goals, goals, goals. 

And even though spoiled brat Paqueta has gone off for a little sulk, his absence has created space for Matty Fernandes to show us what he is capable of! 

Yesterday, having banged in a 30 yard screamer (which will almost certainly be the hammer's goal of the season), he then followed up with a similar thumper that almost broke the bar.

The Hammers may have only managed one clean sheet all season, but the message in recent games has been clear - However many you score, we will score more!

There can be no doubt that Nuno will have a simple three word message for Matty Fernandes - Shoot. Shoot, Shoot!

Next up it's away to a stuttering Chelski, then a crucial clash with Burnley followed by a Tuesday night romp at the London Stadium as Man Utd come visiting. 

Strap yourself in, this is gonna get crazy!

COYI!!!

We're gonna win the cup, we're gonna....

It may be all Premiership doom and gloom at West ham right now, but today is a chance to take a break for all the negativity as Chumpionship starlets QPR come visiting the London stadium.

The Hammers may have royally messed up over recent games but always retain the capacity to shine when you least expect it. It would be typical Bubbleology if West ham had a decent cup run this year. 

Today's clash is a great opportunity to blood the incoming strikers and try to get some much-needed rhythm ahead of the Spurs clash next week. Presumably Nuno will see it that way?

At the very least, we can remind ourselves how enjoyable Championship footy is - something we may need to get used to if our league form doesn't change dramatically!

Either way, let's enjoy the romance of the cup and remember that we were in the second tier when Uncle Trev downed the Gooners in 1980!

COYI!!!

Nuno opts for Moyesball in tough trip to Brighton

West ham's record against Brighton is simply abysmal with only one win in the last 16 encounters! The Seagulls have got our number and generally bask in their tippy-tappyness as we crumble. 

Nuno needs to stop that rot and has opted for five at the back, allowing our wing backs to push up and support Bowen and the (thankfully) returning Summerville. It's a plan but one that failed repeatedly during the Moyesball era.

No doubt the formation in part has been encouraged by the intense efforts of Thursday night where the Hammers energetically grabbed a valuable point. However, the recent heroics of Leeds and Burnley have further emphasized that it'll probably require 40 points to stay up this season and the Hammers need to chisel out some much needed points until January reinforcements arrive.

That said, the relegation of Potts and Magassa to the bench seems odd as they are both young and should have adequate engines for two games in four days. It's hard to see what the incoming Rodriguez will offer against a pacey Brighton midfield.

Wilson will likely benefit from a rest and can add spice if needed.

Paqueta returns and has some making up to do after one of the silliest red cards in our history.

COYI!!!

Starting XI: Areola, Wan-Bissaka, Kilman, Todibo, Mavropanos, Diouf, Rodriguez, Fernandes, Paqueta, Summerville, Bowen

Subs: Hermansen, Walker-Peters, Wilson, Fullkrug, Magassa, Soucek, Potts, Irving, Mayers