Taking a Pessimistic Stance on the End of Season Table

Football London provided a link for wannabe-Nostradamus types to predict the results of all relegation-relevant games between now and the season's end.

We told Rory Nostradamus to think negatively about West Ham results and boy did he get grumpy - predicting not a single win in our remaining fixtures!

But even with four draws Moyes men will likely stumble over the line given the accordion like nature of the bottom half of the table!

If our tealeave reader is correct then Forests home form will see them dip ahead of Leicester and Everton! That would see two shock relegation-ers! 

After the heroics against Arsenal at the weekend, Hammers fans will be hoping for a few wins and in reality two victories should be easily enough but as veterans of relegation mud fights we know that the run in can throw out some crazy results!

Moreover, with 3 points for a win a sudden shift in form or fortunes could yet save Everton or Leicester.

Maintaining our superior goal difference could yet become vital.

Right, lets get back to Gent tomorrow night. They looked decent in the first leg but surely we will play better in the home leg?

COYI!!!

Snoddy goes Claret and Blue - But which club?

Unlikely to ever paly on the same team?

It is clear that Hull have agreed a £10 million fee for their top goal scorer and tormentor-in-chief Robert Snodgrass. Reports indicate that both West Ham and Burnley have agreed to meet the fee which essentially leaves it down to the fine detail and Snodgrass' own preferences to determine where he will move to.

The smart money is thus on a move south as with Dimitri Payet almost certainly on the move and Sofiane Feghouli still an uncertain force, West Ham clearly have room for attacking midfielders who can play out wide.

For Hull, in one sense the transfer is a good deal as Snodgrass has only 6 months left on his contract and at 29 is no spring chicken. However, Hull will need to find reinforcements quickly if they are to avoid the drop as they will miss Snodgrass' goals having only managed 11 goals outside of his 9 strikes this season.

Both Burnley and West Ham will see Snodgrass' arrival as further insulation against any lingering relegation worries. With the current Table it seems likely that 38 points will easily be enough to ensure safety which both clubs should reach with ease as they are 10 points (Burnley) and 12 points (West Ham) above the drop zone at present..

Snodgrass has been a consistent performer over the years for Leeds, Norwich and Hull with his direct style bringing an average of just over a goal every five games. Moreover, his ability from free kicks will be a big asset for West Ham in the post Payet era.

Overall, this looks like a decent signing for the Hammers, albeit at an inflated January window price.

Hammers Cannot See Wood for the Bees

As all eyes seem fixed on Brentford's star striker Scott Hogan, a glance across the Championship's top scorers list reveals a much more attractive option in Leeds United's Chris Wood.

While Hogan has banged in 14 goals in 26 appearances this season for the Bees, Wood has been even more prolific with 19 in 30 appearances.

For many, there are concerns about Scott Hogan's injury history and a quick glance shows that his form this season is a vast improvement from previous seasons where knee injuries have hindered his progress.  

In Wood's case, he has blossomed since moving to Leeds in 2015 and averages almost a goal every second game. In addition, as Winston Reid's vice captain for New Zealand he has considerable experience at international level with 19 goals in his 42 appearances.

Hogan is a traditional poacher who scores most of his goals from close range while at 6 foot 3 Wood is a much greater physical presence who can contribute much more than just goals and who would be unlikely to struggle with the physicality of the Premiership.

Brentford and Leeds have both valued their respective striking assets at £15 million which is well within West Ham's purchasing power and with Hogan 24 years old and Wood 25 years there is little to separate them.  

As the Hammers efforts to finalise a deal with Brentford trundle on, maybe its time to look next door at Wood?

Ref Watch: Consistency is the Key ...or is it?

Good old Mike Dean is having a pretty torrid time since his dreadful performance in the recent West Ham versus Man United game. Having incorrectly sent off Sofiane Feghouli the decision was rescinded and Dean is now relegated to Chumpionship duties.

But Dean is nothing if not consistent - consistently awful! In this weekend's big Yorkshire derby between Bradford City and Leeds United he managed to mess up yet again by awarding a penalty for a handball that clearly occurred outside the box!

Dean has been besieged by controversy for much of his career and was previously demoted in 2010 but bounced back. However, on his current trajectory he looks destined for the non-leagues pretty soon!

 

As Byram Negotiations Hot Up, Who are the Two Makeweights?

It wasn't me, honestly!

Latest news is that West Ham are still very actively seeking the services of talented Leeds right back Sam Byram, currently tussling with Everton and West Brom for his signature. With the current deal rumoured to involve cash plus two un-named players, specualtion is growing as to the identities of the two who are deemed surplus to requirements.

The strength of Slaven Bilic's first team squad is such that it's hard to find anybody who might fit the description of un-needed! Joey O'Brien's time at Upton Park may well be coming to an end but his injury history is such that he is unlikely to leave until his contract runs out. The rest of our defence is either still developing or untested (Stephen Hendrie) or not for sale.

Otherwise, Mauro Zarate is one player who might wish to move elsewhere but Leeds would represent a massive step down in status for the Argentinian. Moreover, although Zarate is quite inconsistent, on his day he is undoubtedly a useful part of the Hammers offensive set up and with both Sakho and Carroll out Bilic is likely to want to hold onto as many of his attacking options as possible.

Another possibility is that Nikica Jelavic might be on his way back to the Championship, although for similar reasons one would expect Bilic to be looking to bring in like for like were an attacker to depart.

Is this just speculation or could we see two first team squaddies exit? The Davids have repeated emphasised the need to prune back our wage bill before we can add reinforcements....The plot thickens

Rio in Reverse!

The growing rumours that Leeds United's top prospect, Sam Byram, will be joining West Ham during the transfer window is a cause for reflection on the state of the Hammers in 2016. While the troubles at Leeds of the past decade are only too well documented, it's worth reflecting how back in 2000 young Rio Ferdinand, who at the time was our best young prospect, exited Upton Park for the then staggering fee of 18 million!

At that time there was a sense that Ferdinand's departure was inevitable as West Ham were essentially a feeder club for bigger outfits. In fact, the Hammer's faithful were already bracing themselves for the inevitable subsequent departures of Frank Lampard, Michael Carrick and Joe Cole, which duly followed a few years later.

Wind forward to 2016 and West ham are no longer a feeder club for Manchester United, Chelsea and (dare i say it!) Tottenham. Of all the arguments for the move to the Olympic Stadium, the improved capacity to build a brilliant team that includes our best home-produced talent is surely the most compelling?

So as we hoover up young Byram into our ranks to serve as understudy to Tomkins and Jenkinson (sorry Leeds fans!), let's all reflect upon how times are changing. When the 'big' clubs inevitably come calling at the end of this season for the services of Payet, Reid, Lanzini, Adrian, Cresswell, Sakho etc we no longer look at the sports news with the previous sense of trepidation.

As Goldie and Sullivan keep reminding everybody.....we are no longer a selling club. Upwards and onwards...