Here's how Moyes can change his awful record against top sides

To kick things off West ham have not beaten Man United at Ye Olde Trafforde since the great escape in 2007, with a humble 3 draws and eleven defeats!

Add to that David Moyes has never won away from home as a manager against Manchester United, Liverpool, Chelsea, or Arsenal despite a whopping 69 attempts!

Quite simply, his record is atrocious and here's why - he plays it tight trying to steal a win with counterattack but in doing so typically concedes 65%+ possession. That simply doesn't work when you are up against the might of wobbly refs and aggressive home fans where soft free kicks and penalties are a regular occurence and decide close games. 

The trick is to try to win by two goals, not nick a 1-0 smash n grab raid. Maybe we need to pretend that a win by two goals is needed to stave off relegation or qualify for Europe or avoid the plague - whichever option, let's play like our futures depend upon it!

Moyes has rarely had the kind of resources available to him to go toe to toe with big sides but just now he has his best squad ever and can realistically match Man Utd in every department - but only if the players play to their potential!

There is absolutely no reason why a Rice-Soucek-Downes triad in midfield can't at least get parity with Man United's current midfield set up. Add to that the defensive spine of Kehrer, Zouma and Fabianski and we shoukd force Man United out onto the flanks where if Bowen and Benrahma are energetically tracking back we can limit penetration. 

With our current attacking options we can surely create chances and given our recent fortune in front of goal this would be the ideal game for things to click into place as we undoubtedly have the ability to hurt opposition sides.

Whether Moyes throws down the gauntlet or opts for a conservative will become evident in a few hours but even if we start cagey there is the option of switching to full nuclear with Antonio and Scamacca asking the questions, with Bowen and Benrahma pitching in.

It's time to end the pain.

Rory Nostradamus is opting for 3-1 to West ham but the bookies are offering 40-1 against and of note he was out picking mushrooms yesterday so may be feeling a bit 'unusual'

Let's do this!

COYI!

Coventry back from the brink

It's a big night for Conor Coventry as he starts in central midfield against Silkeborg. The 22 year old has followed in the tracks of Declan Rice through the academy but will have been disappointed when the Summer saw the arrival of Flynn Downes as the third choice central midfield option for David Moyes.

Moreover, Lucas Paqueta is pretty feisty and could well play in a deeper role if needed, further pushing Coventry down the pecking order.

But he has stuck to his guns and has a big chance to show his quality tonight. 

Otherwise, Moyes is using the game to give game time to many fringe players and also to give Aguerd his competitive debut. 

A point will seal top spot. There's plenty on the bench if it gets sticky out there.

West Ham Starting XI: Areola, Coufal, Johnson, Aguerd, Ogbonna ©, Emerson, Lanzini, Coventry, Fornals, Antonio, Benrahma

Subs: Randolph (GK), Hegyi (GK), Zouma, Kehrer, Cresswell, Souček, Potts, Rice, Downes, Appiah-Forson, Scamacca

Five Lessons from the Bournemouth Win

While the manner of the victory was far from ideal with two dodgy VAR decisions underpinning West ham's two goals, the result was certainly deserved. 

We noted five take away thoughts about the game;

1. The triad of Downes-Soucek-Rice in midfield is a big presence that allows the Hammers to boss lesser sides, but there is a lack of creativity that can lead to a blunt attack. West ham amassed 20 chances last night but could only get 4 on target. Perhaps the triad shoukd be wheeled out for bigger teams with Paqueta replacing either Downes or Soucek for other (i.e. most) games? 

2. Benrahma is a brilliant squad player. He endures a lot of criticism from Headmaster Moyes but keeps his head down and always gives it his all. He has been unlucky not to score more frequently, but at the very least he is a tremendous impact sub to shake things up and create a bit of space. With more regular game time he will surely blossom into the magician his skillset suggests.

3. Scamacca and Antonio are an ideal partnership. Mikey is a terrifying adversary when he comes for the final half an hour where is pace and aggression can make tired defences cave in. Scamacca hasn't been getting the breaks over the past few games but has slotted in perfectly and more goals will undoubtedly arrive. The real question is whether they should play as a partnership? Certainly, if we are chasing a game it would make sense.

4. Right back remains a problem position. Coufal came on briefly last night but in a short cameo looked the top class full back he was before the groin injury. Ben Johnson played better last night but still looks sluggish in possession and doesn't link with Bowen the way we want. Can Kehrer slot in at right back? He certainly has the composure on the ball.

5. A top six finish is still well within our grasp. We are suddenly in the top half and our new signings look to be bedding in well. It's time for a run up the league before the annoying World cup break. 

COYI!!!

Mike Dean's VAR....ahem....thanks!

West ham have dominated the game but failed to open a modest Bournemouth defence - except for two harsh VAR calls.

Thilo Kehrer certainlt didn't mean to fondle the ball in the run up to Kurt Zoum's goal, but he did. 

Then a nonsense penalty for a cross cut out by a flailing arm (less then a metre away and clearly unintentional) and a cracking spot kick fromSaid Benrahma...

2-0. Thanks Mike but it feels a tad dirty.

Oh, and you missed an obvious red card for a silly lunge on Scamacca. 

We deserved three points and needed the win but all the same Gaz O'Neill can feel hard done by. 

VAR get distracted during beach volleyball session at the London Stadium!

It's been a workmanlike performance so far tonight as the Hammers have had the initiative but struggled to open a dogged Bournemouth defence.

In fairness, the multiple stops for injuries haven't helped but West ham have missed the craft of Paqueta.

But on 43 minutes Bournemouth flapped at a corner, which looked to bounce off Kehrer's arm before a beack volleyball session ended with it glancing off Downes and then Zouma into the net.

The long wait followed until.....

Computers says YESsss!

How weird is that?

West ham need to seize the moment now Bournemouth will have to come out of their (cracked) shell.

Fasten seatbelts folks!

COYI!!!

Sensible Moyes goes for solid line up as Bournemouth await

No major surproses as Moyes has opted for his in form players to face The Cherries. No Paqueta, so Downes continues with Benrahma and Bowen supporting Scamacca up front.

Antonio and Fornals on the bench. Kehrer and Zouma at CB, Ben Johnson and Cressy at full back. 

Dawson is still out.

Starting XI: Lukasz Fabianski, Ben Johnson, Kurt Zouma, Thilo Kehrer, Aaron Cresswell, Declan Rice, Tomas Soucek, Flynn Downes, Said Benrahma, Jarrod Bowen, Gianluca Scamacca

The Gods of Karma Come aKnockin for Virgil Van Cheat

Aharrrrrrgh. Hammers fans have been seething all week after footage emerged of Liverpool 'ace' Vigil Van Dyck tampering with the penalty spot priot to Jarrod Bowen's penalty at Anfield.

Bowen struck a decent spot kick but his shot lacked height and allowed a well judged leap by Alisson to push it away. A save that ultimately robbed the brave Irons of a deserved point. 

If the ball hadn't been embedded in Virgils manufactured dike it would have likely sailed over Alisson's flailing arms. If this was cricket Virgil would get a few months ban for ball tampering.

Virgil and Co. Thought they had gotten away with it and in usual Scouselogic justified his skullduggery as the behaviour of a winner.

But the Gods of Football were not impressed and have taken decisive action. Liverpool travelled to Notts Forest expecting to continue their recent string of good results but were served a sickening dose of justice as Forest stunned them with a 1-0 win!

Even better, Van Dyck inexplicably fumbled two gilt edge chances to get Liverpool back into the game and even when gifted a third opportunity the Forest keeper pulled off a super save!

We can expect the Hammers to get more than their share of luck against Bournemouth on Monday night as the big wheel of fortune keeps turning.

COYI!!!