westhamfans.org

Christmas is a time for giving, so we would like to 'give a little'. Firstly we would like to thank the referee 'Zombie School' of finishing for providing a string of incredibly inept officials for the vast majority of games played at the London track and field Stadium, without whom life would have been so drab.

A goal from Hammers nemesis Troy Deeney via a penalty and a late Gerard Deulofeu strike inflicted West Ham's first defeat since November in the final home game of 2018 at the London Stadium. The 'feel good' factor was there courtesy of both defences but it was a rare and potentially very costly error from 'the General' Fabian Balbuena that led to Watford's first goal.

West Ham Utd: Fabianski, Zabaleta, Balbuena, Diop, Masuaku, Snodgrass, Noble, Rice, Anderson, Hernandez, Antonio. Subs: Adrian, Cresswell, Carroll, Obiang, Ogbonna, Silva, Diangana.
Watford FC: Foster, Femenia, Kabasele, Cathcart, Holebas, Doucoure, Capoue, Sema, Pereyra, Deulofeu, Deeney.Subs: Gomes, Mariappa, Cleverley, Success, Masina, Quina, Okaka.

One minute fans hear that West Ham United are close to financial fair play limits, the next they hear that the club are pursuing various exotic players ahead of the January transfer window opening. One of the latest stories to do the rounds relates to Inter Milan forward Gabriel Barbosa, who following a lengthy chat with fellow Brazilian Felipe Anderson is supposedly interested in joining West Ham on loan in January .

In the past fans have always been highly suspicious of financial fair play limitations being rolled out as an excuse for West Ham United's 'tepid' recruitment policy, and perhaps there suspicions may have been justified, but that was in the past. However few can doubt that the Hammers board have dug deep this season to provide Manuel Pellegrini with the squad and fire power required to pursue a comfortable mid table position with the possibility of Europa League qualification.

When West Ham United moved from the Boleyn Ground to the London Stadium hopes were high following a seventh place finish in the Barclays Premier League, the season got off to a rocky start with a narrow 1-0 victory over Bournemouth. Not long after Watford were the visitors and for the first 25 minutes Hammers and in particular Dimitri Payet were in their pomp, racing to a 2-0 lead courtesey of more flicks and Rabonna's than a Ronaldo birthday party, jubilant fans couldn't believe what they were seeing, and then it all went wrong!

The term 'Only The Needy And The Greedy', in football parlance, is usually referenced to people who work over the christmas period, particularly sports commentators who are working! However the term can also accurately describe the transfer activity of clubs once the transfer window opens for the Barclays Premier League in January.

The recent turn around in Hammers' fortunes has been little short of spectacular, there is a definite feel good factor about the club despite a near catostrophic injury list that just seems to keep on growing. Unfortunately one of those on the long term list is Jack Wilshere, hindsight is a wonderful thing and with the benefit of hindsight signing Jack Wilshere on a three year deal on £100,000 per week wasn't the wisest of choices.

Well there we were hoping to see the look on Jose Mourinho's face as Manuel Pellegrini's West Ham overtook Mourinho's beleagured Manchester United side in the Barclays Premier League, unfortunately fate has dealt that aspiration a blow with what many knew would happen, namely the sacking of the 'Sour One'. Such a pity, because whoever comes in to replace him will surely galvanise United's players making the task of Hammers finishing ahead of them more difficult but not impossible.