The chaos continues as Hammers face a busy 36 hours

After three resounding defeats in a row, having conceded 11 goals, Graham potters West ham are in turmoil. After 12 consecutive seasons in the premiership, West Ham have rarely looked more like relegation fodder.  Mercifully, this disastrous start to season has spurred the board into action with the current level of movement akin to Brick Lane market!

Within the space of 24 hours in midweek the Hammers captured two mobile midfielders to add bite to their misfiring midfield with Mateus Fernandes arriving from Southampton for £38m while Soungoutou Magassa joined from Monaco for £17m. Addition of young, pacey and aggressive talent is much needed as Tomas Soucek’s ability is not based on pace whilst the ageing James Ward Prowse lacks the mobility West ham need in midfield right now.

However, those signings have left the hammers rather cash- strapped and rumours about a possible exit of midfield playmaker Lucas Paqueta to Aston Villa or possibly Spurs have upset the Hammers Apple cart as Paqueta is the one truly creative player in the squad and would surely thrive in a more dynamic midfield. Meanwhile,  Everton maintain a keen interest in bringing Tomas Soucek to Merseyside for a reunion with David Moyes. The Czech star brings an aerial presence  and goalscoring contribution that would be sorely missed.

At the back, Nayef Aguerd looks set to move to France with the possibility that Charlie Cresswell will move in the opposite direction to add some beef to what has been a feeble defence. The former Leeds defender is an impressive young talent who could be the player the Hammers hoped the off-form Max Kilman would be.

On top of all that activity, latest rumours suggest that West Ham are seriously looking at bringing in an attack-minded midfielder with Fabio Vieira of Arsenal in the spotlight. However, his time at Arsenal has been blighted by injuries and the Portuguese star has managed just two goals in thirty three appearances since his arrival at the  Gunners in 2022. With Summerville back soon Vieira would likely struggle to get game time and hardly seems worth an estimated £20m pay out right now.

The summer transfer window closes in England on Monday at 7pm. Buckle up because it's bound to get choppy over the next thirty six hours. In the meantime, the hammers make their way to the city ground.Looking for their first points of the season against Nottingham forest. 

Forest have experienced turmoil of their own at a board level.This season , with continued uncertainty about the future of manager Nuno Espirito Santo and have not kept a clean sheet in their last ten premiership games , but nonetheless have started the season strongly with four points from two games. No doubt , Chris Wood will be licking his lips in anticipation of scoring yet again against a leaky west ham defence. 

You’d take a draw!

KO is 2pm.

C’mon U Irons!!!

It's all cuddles in the bubbles!

Amid the terrible situation currently unfolding in the Ukraine there was an island of positivity at the London Stadium yesterday. 

West ham have been rocked by the awful scenes with Andriy Yarmolenko's compatriots very much in our thoughts before during and after the game yesterday.

Solidarity with Ukraine was emblazoned around the stadium with pictures of Andriy and his national colours as team captain of the Ukraine national team. Declan Rice held his jersey aloft during the pre-match routine and later dedicated the vital 1-0 win to our brother.

Meanwhile, Tomas Soucek dedicated his winning goal to his grandfather who had travelled to watch him play for the first time since COVID restrictions were lifted - pointing up to him in the stands during his goal celebrations.

And Pablo Fornals underlined the family-friendly atmosphere that characterises the ground by bringing hsi newborn on a stadium tour before the match, all the while singing "Come on you Irons"!

These are difficult times but if we stick together for what is decent we can see it through.

Classy stuff from all concerned!

COYI!!!

Tough Call for Moyes as Hammers Midfield is Suddenly Overcrowded!

Can you believe it - West Ham's midfield no longer picks itself! As the Hmmers head to the Emirates looking for precious points to ease their relegation fears, David Moyes has been boosted by the news that Tomas Soucek has made a speedier recovery than expected and is available for today's clash.

However, Moyes has discovered that his best formation seems to include two up top and with the arrival of Jarrod Bowen coupled with the major improvement in Pablo Fornals form, it's hard to know what Moyes will do today.

Messing with a winning team is generally discouraged, so he may start with the team that trounced Southampton and look to Soucek at the hour mark if needed. Equally, Moyes more conservative side may take over and he may drop Bowen and start with Rice-Noble-Soucek in midfield and pulling Antonio to the right wing in an effort to dampen Arsenal efforts to control the game. 

That said, West Ham are doing much better with limited possession as their physicality up top with the twin battering rams of Antonio and Haller are creating chances and maybe they can afford to let midfield slide. In addition, having more pace on the counter can help to keep the Gooners back four back in their own half. 

Some fans think Moyes should go for it as this is a game that West Ham might not expect to get anything from. But this is an Arsenal side that can be rattled and even dominated. A point would be a decent return but a win is possible if the Hammers maintain the form of the past two weeks. Moreover, with all the VAR nonsense so far this year perhaps its time that West Ham got a bit of good luck for a change?

And don't forget that Moyes has Lanzini and Anderson on the bench...

COYI!!!

Strong Hammers Starting XI as Soucek Starts

It's a debut start for new signing Tomas Soucek as David Moyes is able to field a strong starting XI against the visiting Seagulls. There's a tense atmosphere at the London Stadium and Dexy's Geno is on the stadium sound system as the teams are announced..."I could use some inspiration...". Indeed!

The Hammers have a bit of pace (for a change) and Soucek's aerial presence will hopefully help at set pieces. The bench has some genuine options if things don't go according to plan and perhaps Manny Lanzini can spring from the bench and back to his previous form, while Fornals and Masuaku can add a bit of spice. Ajeti willie hoping to get a chance to build on his recent efforts as a substitute. 

Either way, we can win this!

COYI!!!

West Ham United: Fabianski, Fredericks, Diop, Ogbonna, Cresswell, Snodgrass, Rice, Soucek, Noble (c), Antonio, Haller.

 

Substitutes: Balbuena, Zabaleta, Lanzini, Fornals, Masuaku, Ajeti, Randolph.