Rumours circulating in some European media outlets suggesting Hammers are in the middle of a Covid outbreak are way off the mark. We have had it confirmed to us that there are definitely NO cases of Covid at the club, but that the club is ever vigilant. The 'flu like' bug that is currently raging through the squad is debilitating but recovery is quick so it is to be hoped that some of those afflicted will be OK to make the squad for the game against Palace on Sunday.
Palace themselves have got plenty of problems with their lengthy injury list but as yet have not succumbed to any similar virus.
It is not uncommon to be struck down with a virus during this time of year and despite taking all sorts of precautions for the trip to Serbia it will doubtless have seen some team members be exposed to 'Euro' flu! You are damned if you do and damned if you don't.
Hammers really struggled against Topola, a similar display will get severely punished by Palace. Their manager Roy Hodgson has been 'round the block' and will have noted how lack lustre Hammers were on Thursday, he will definitely 'drill' his team to exploit Hammers' weaknesses so Moyes needs to get a better tune out of his players this Sunday.
A win could see Hammers move up to 8th in the table, swapping places with Brighton, but if the team play as they did on Thursday then a load of teams will be on their shirt tales. Palace have become a bit of a 'Bogey' team for West Ham of late, perhaps it is time to put that one away?
It will be brass monkeys at the 'Bowl' on Sunday, hopefully the crowd can be inspired by some decent football to keep the temperature up! - Ed
