Forum | General Discussion

When it rains for relegation clubs, it pours. A cruel defeat against Aston Villa now places West Ham miles behind the remainder of the field, especially after Nottingham Forest’s 3-0 victory against the Spuds.

A performance of individual quality rather than a unit is what happened this afternoon, both teams playing in a similar style, but unsurprisingly, Aston Villa looked glued in comparison to our paper mache. A tactic that looked spot on from Nuno, but individuals are letting the Hammers down once again, which caused spirals and led to goals being conceded.

To score the earliest goal of the Premier League season so far and the fastest West Ham goal ever, to lose 3-2 come full time is a summary of the season so far, an unlucky own-goal through a lapse of judgement by Dinos left Areola with two left feet. Villa’s second to bring the Brummies level was the epitome of the Premier League for us at the moment, ball’s whipped into the middle, cleared by the Villa player which should’ve resulted in another corner being awarded but wasn’t, they play the ball up the pitch, Diouf’s got no option seeing as Summerville persistently drifted into the middle for the majority of the game, defying an opportunity out wide to him, countered and 2-2 it was.

All 60,000 fans thought Jarrod’s finessed finish gave us the lead, but it was ruled out for offside and unfortunately, that decision killed all running momentum we had, paired along with PGMOL’s pet, who, without remorse, embraced Villa’s complaints and every time a whistle was blown, it felt bound to fall in Villa’s way.

Nuno’s side had moments that would be considered as a good performance, but they were too inconsistent to hold the victory. It feels once again, similar to Brighton that Aston Villa are the ones that should be counting their lucky stars given the performance. Nuno managed to prevent Emery’s Champions League-challenging side from creating any XG for the first 40 minutes, and overall, the Hammers were the better side for the majority of the game… but once again, those inconsistent moments and lapse of concentration are what get you.

In the event of a Leeds victory tonight, the Hammers will find themselves five points from safety with Manchester City ahead. But it’s the games that follow our visit to the Etihad that will prove to be pivotal and a run of consecutive wins is desperately needed to even begin having a glimpse of safety.

It’s beginning to become incredibly frustrating to have a ‘win-worthy’ performance but not pick up three points, points which now feel more crucial than ever.

It’ll require a Christmas miracle from Nuno Santo-Claus to convince the board to make numerous signings come the opening of the January window. It’s been suspected and alluded to for a while that three new bodies will be brought in to the squad to help bolster the various positions required.

The last time that Stingy Scrooge provided the club with more than ONE new incoming was nearly half a decade ago! But given the dire situation that the Hammers find theatres in, you’d be astonished if no transfers were coughed up, seeing as just a small addition here and there just could be enough to get the ball rolling.

However, West Ham’s track record amongst January also is a cause for concern, seeing as it appears that all the signings are usually conducted towards the end of the window or on deadline day which is a horrific gameplan given that the majority of clubs often increase the price of players or are just reluctant to sell in general… you’d think for a stingy owner that he’d cut the costs where he could.

Clubs such as Aston Villa have already begun their business and are making agreements 19 days before the window opens. That’s how an owner backs a club when they understand that tools are required for the project to be completed.

Initially, it was thought that the Hammers would make three signings during January, covering all parts of the pitch with a defender, midfielder and attacker, but as time has passed on Nuno understands the primary requirements are a defender and a forward. The club are likely to see a “one in, one out” model for the winter, but Fullkrug is already leaning out the door, so off that basis, a forward will be signed.

Additions are required if West Ham wants to stay up, and a crucial January all over will decide the fate of all.

Ahead of transfer window preparations, the Hammers have started to analyse which strikers they could potentially sign come the January or Summer window.

The latest batch of scouts has targeted a player the club is interested in previously, that being Samu Omorodion from Porto. The club had numerous bids rejected for the forward whilst he was at Atletico Madrid, but due to the type of deal that Porto had offered, he transferred his way to Portugal.

The final deal concluded was for a 50% sell-on-clause, and just €15,000,000, in which the Hammers offered €30,000,000, but the cunning plan to play it long term is what Atletico opted for.

In light of this understanding, Porto will ask for an extortionate fee for the talented forward just to reduce damage limitation of the sell-on-clause, but the club are set to test the waters otherwise.

If Hammers fans peel back their minds to last window, it’ll be quickly remembered that Porto held peak interest in Guilherme, and the only reason a deal wasn’t concluded was due to Graham Potter refusing to sell the Brazilian, but judging by Nuno’s apparent distaste for the forward, it’s expected for tied to be cut.

Meaning, the club could test the waters for a swap deal, considering both parties hold interest in one another’s players. It is inevitable that a fee would still have to be added on West Ham’s end, but focusing on a swap deal helps the Portuguese side negate the sell-on clause, subsequently bolstering the chances for the East London side to complete a deal.

Trick of the trade, but it’ll take some serious bargaining and conversations to get rid of all the deadwood the club have built up. Unfortunately, it’s yet another ‘youth prospect’ that has failed to shine bright as first thought. - LN

A good all-round performance, numerous chances throughout the game and once again the feeling of two lost points linger in the minds as the Hammers remain in the relegation zone and are two points adrift from safety.

It’s a brutal blow and a hurtful one to watch. Across the 90 minutes, Summerville had a plethora of chances and, unfortunately, couldn’t finish his dinner. Numerous opportunities to take the lead early on, and the biggest blunder was the one-on-one miss in the first half, with the second blunder coming through an acrobatic effort that should’ve been converted.

A bizarre line-up as well as a wacky gameplan, but the side, which was rotated due to fatigue worries, managed to pull through, and at the beginning of the day, similar to Bournemouth, you would’ve snapped your arm off for a draw but the result feels a robbery after VAR controversy costs Nuno’s side two vital points.

Two incidents for the goal make you question whether the overhead kick was safe and wouldn’t be classed as a high foot for Mavropanos, as well as the bigger one being the handball and the ambiguity around it, what is and isn’t a handball, because each situation varies and we’ve seen those given and disallowed countless amounts of times.

The other discussion of if Marvo goes to ground, 99% it would’ve been given as a foul, which just goes to show how windy these rules are given that a gust of chance can decide a match, one simple action and it all comes down to play acting and honesty.

This conversation regarding the goal could’ve all been avoided if chances had been finished, but Bowen’s moment of brilliance proved to not be enough, and Nuno might have to reevaluate the decision to shut up shop so soon once again, given that West Ham seem to concede more whilst shutting up shop in comparison to when they don’t! The irony!

One loss in six would’ve been something any Hammers fans would’ve accepted upon Nuno’s arrival, and it does demonstrate how much he’s managed to turn the corner, given Potter had the same tools to build the shed that Nuno has and he instead built a kennel. But somehow one loss in six still isn’t anywhere near enough due to the damage that had already been done.

Given the next two being Aston Villa and Manchester City, it becomes a distant struggle to imagine how West Ham could be out of the relegation zone come Christmas.