In the aftermath of the Hammers impressive victory over a pretty hapless Burnley side last weekend there has been the usual outpouring of positivity and an expectation that the side will follow up with another win today away to Huddersfield.
Wishful thinking perhaps, especially given our history of failing to capitalise upon momentum in the past. Moreover, Huddersfield looked impressive in their deserved win over Fulham on Monday night and have every right to look towards a home win today to build upon that result.
Despite the bookies and pundits opting for a Hammers win (West ham 5/4 for the win, Huddersfield 5/2), the verdict from West ham fan sites is that Pellegrini's side are more likely to lose than win!
However, there is much to suggest that Hammers fans should be more optimistic about their chances today - Huddersfield are undoubtedly light up front with just 5 goals in their 11 games. Even in winning on Monday night they needed an own goal to overcome Fulham who, now bottom of the table, have conceded just short of three goals per game so far this campaign!
The Hammers, meanwhile are looking potent up top with goals coming from right across the frontline. In Arnautovic, the Hammers have a charismatic striker who is relentless in his joyful tormenting of opposition defences - as Burnley's James Tarkowski discovered to his cost last week! With growing confidence in midfield and defence, it looks like Pelle's troops have finally adapted to his quite demanding and dynamic system. Even better, they look to be enjoying absolutely it.
Perhaps most compelling of all, the Hammers have a strong bench where Chicharito or Antonio can shake things up if needed. All said and done, it looks like Pellegrini can surprise the pessimists and get our first back to back wins of the season. With a series of ten very winnable fixtures between now and the New Year, the Hammers could be ready to really push on in 2019!
Our money is on Pelle to pull off a major surprise for those doubting fans with a 2-0 victory!
Finally, while we are feeling optimistic how about Grady Diangana to open his Premiership account today?
Starting XI: Fabianski, Cresswell, Zabaleta, Diop, Balbuena, Rice, Obiang, Snodgrass, Diangana, Anderson, Arnautovic
Subs: Adrian, Fredericks, Masuaku, Hernandez, Antonio, Perez.
The Hammers pushed
themselves into mid-table safety after ravaging Huddersfield at their John
Smith Stadium. Using a solid defensive set up as the basis from which to
attack, the second half saw the Hammers rip Huddersfield apart and, in all
honesty, the 4-1 final score line did not flatter the East Londoners.
However, it could
all of turned out quite different if Huddersfield had steadied themselves after
Marko Arnautovic's early second half strike that left the Terriers chasing the
game. Thereafter, Arnautovic and Lanzini sliced through the Huddersfield
defence at will but on 55 minutes, and just one goal ahead, Lanzini found
himself through on goal BUT instead of taking the relatively easy option to put
two goals between the sides, the stylish Argentinian bizarrely decided to try a
rabona!!!
Thankfully, a punch
drunk Huddersfield conceded a third soon after as Lanzini seemed to learn from
his earlier misjudgement and smashed in the third and then a fourth. In
reality, Lanzini should have had a
hat-trick and on another day the missed rabona effort could have cost the
Hammers dearly!
That said, the
Hammers are looking good and the Manny-Arnie partnership is working really
well. It's a pity that none of our
strikers seem to be able to join them in the fun! Arnautovic’s physicality and
Lanzini’s craft make for a potent combination, especially where the opposition
pushes up and leaves space to run into like yesterday.
Also worth a
mention is the fact that Mark Noble's well taken effort to open festivities
yesterday was his 50th for the club. A truly top Hammer and with still a bit
left to give!
Next up it's the
3rd round cup replay with a well organised Shrewsbury hoping to wreck our
current buzz. Moyes only named six substitutes yesterday revealing that he
wanted to keep some of the kids fresh for Tuesday. With our Premiership status
looking much healthier as we are now up to 11th, perhaps Moyes might fancy a
run in the cup and field a strong side?
So, finally, West Ham picked up some points to get their season going in an entertaining game at the OS. In truth, the scoreline was a fair reflection of the action as the Hammers played all the football until Huddersfield pushed forward for a final ten minute flurry that ultimately fizzled out. Pedro Obiang and Andre Ayew scored the all important goals but overall how did each member of the team rate?
Hart (7/10) Looked confident throughout and was alert to the rare occasions when Huddersfield threatened, including a decent strike from Billing mid way through the game.
Reid (8/10) Solid throughout. He remains our best defender.
Cresswell (8/10) Looked back to his old self - tenacious in defence and pushed up at every opportunity. Not bad as our principal set piece taker.
Fonte (7/10) Quiet game - always a good sign for a centre back!
Zabaleta (8/10) Was determined to push the side forward at every opportunity by leading through example. Had his best game for the club so far.
Collins (7/10) Unlucky not to open the scoring in the first half. Dependable as always.
Kouyate (7/10) Lively, if a bit wasteful at times. Great to have him back as he adds energy in midfield.
Obiang (8/10) Lucky with a deflection for the goal but a real engine in midfield, keeping things flowing and maintaining pressure on Huddersfield.
Carroll (7/10) Brilliant to have him back. Decent performance and he looked hungry for action. 80 minutes - phew!
Hernandez (7/10) Rattled the bar in the first half when he should have scored. A few decent flicks that almost opened the Terriers up. Will be disappointed to have been subbed at the hour mark.
Antonio (9/10) MOTM - all he needed was a goal to get a 10/10. Aggressive, energetic and popped up on both wings - a real nightmare to mark.
Subs - Ayew (grabbed a Chicharito-style goal from a pinballed corner: 8/10), Sakho (lively for ten minutes: 7/10), Rice (only on long enough to touch the ball twice but good to see him in the picture still N/A).
Two goals, a clean sheet and the pressure off Mr Bilic - job done!
All eyes will be focused upon the second half as West Ham try to grab the points against Huddersfield at the OS. One fan's tweet is sure to cause a stampede amongst neutral viewers to keep an eye on the action as he has promised a bizarre pitch invasion in the 69th minute!
So far the Hammers have been in control notching 12 attempts to Huddersfield's single effort. Chicharito hit the bar early on but since then the Hammers have been dominant without opening the terriers up. In truth, Huddersfield have looked compact and so far have dealt effectively with the Andy Carroll threat.
Michail Antonio looks sharp and has roasted the Terrirrs full back on a number of occasions, while Winston Reid has been dominant at the back. An early goal would calm the nerves but Huddersfield will fancy their chances if they get to the final quarter without conceding - that's if events in the 69th don't bring the game to a halt!
Hammers fans will be hoping that the season will finally get going as they face newly promoted Huddersfield town at the OS tonight. As expected, Slaven Bilic has responded to all the speculation about his future by coming out fighting and with an attacking formation that includes Carroll and Chicharito up front. Kouyate is back and will partner Pedro Obiang in midfield but it's not clear who will cover the left wing area - perhaps Chicharito playing out wide with Carroll in the middle? Elsewhere, it's three at the back with Aaron Cresswell looking to impress and starting ahead of Masuaku. Young Declan Rice is on the bench but will be hoping for an opportunity to make amends for his costly slip against Newcastle. The visitors have started well to their life in the Premiership and include Tom Ince as their best known player (to Hammers fans at least!).
Rory Nostradamus is going for the Hammers and a 3-1 win (Hammers are evens for a win, Huddersfield 3-1 and the draw is 12-5 with Paddy Poormaker).
West Ham United - Hart, Reid, Cresswell, Fonte, Zabaleta, Collins, Kouyate, Carroll, Obiang, Hernandez, Antonio.
Subs - Adrian, Sakho, Ayew, Ogbonna, Byram, Masuaku, Rice.
Huddersfield Town - Lossl, Smith, Billing, Kachunga, Mooy, Lowe, Van La Parra, Ince, Mounie, Zanka, Schindler.
Subs - Coleman, Malone, Sabiri, Williams, Depoitre, Hadergjonaj, Hefele.
COYI!!!
