Whu Next After Big Mich?

For some reason, injuries in football tend to occur in multiples for teams, and West Ham United are a prime example. Having had to deal with the 'continued loss' of Michail Antonio due to his extremely temperamental hamstrings, the club had been coping relatively well, but injuries to Angelo Ogbonna, Authur Masuaku, Pablo Fornals and finally Declan Rice have served to illustrate exactly how paper thin David Moyes's squad really is.

The latest tranche of bad news as Hammers enter the final 8 games of the season is, yes you guessed it, Big Mich Antonio's season is probably done and dusted, that news allied with Declan Rice's unavailability for at least another four games, could put the kibosh on the club's unlikely push for a champions league place, to lose one talisman is hard to live with, but two , make achieving a 'top slot' virtually impossible.

It would be very simple to do a 'Kier Starmer' and just carp and criticise without any positive contribution, the fact is Hammers have punched well above their weight, and to continue with the boxing vernacular, have now been caught out by two blows below the belt, highly unfair, but exactly what happens when you try to battle it out with the big boys, eventually their access to resources will always prevail.

From conversations we have had with fans, an eighth place finish is probably all that can be hoped for now, it still represents an astonishing turn around within a twelve month period, but nonetheless will be viewed as a golden opportunity gone begging. Next season will not be the same, crowds at games, even heavily restricted, will bring the home advantage balance back, and the chances of a 'mid to low' table team of reaching the heady heights of the top four will virtually become non existent.

Moyes's team selections from now until the season's end will be hamstrung, however he will at least be able to call upon the services of the 'Angel' Ogbonna, and heaven knows, divine help is going to be needed. - Ed