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Relegation Woes Worsen As Haaland Hammers Nuno’s Side

Submitted by Louis Nixon on Sat, 20/12/2025 - 16:57

Going to Manchester City is never easy and securing a win there is even harder, so difficult that we haven’t done it since 2014!

Manchester City’s moveable training manikins were announced at 13:45, and the sight of Max Kilman starting saw dim worries darken. The fate up in the clouds had ultimately been decided, and from minute one, it felt like damage limitation rather than competition and come the end of the match, those initial thought would prove to be true as in the 79th minute Nuno decided to bring on two defensive players and accept the fact we weren’t going to comeback from three... not a surprise really?

Collasal defending, dismal clearances and a weak mindset saw us concede three, with the first coming through Haaland just 5 minutes in. A quicker reaction time compared to all of our defenders and Ollie Scarles being brutally overwhelmed on his Premier League return ended as a horror show given the players he had to mark. No help, no action and with Max doing the Min, Scarles was left to mark Foden and Haaland alone, which quite possibly would be a difficult task for any defender in the Premier League to take on, but his horror would only last till the 64th minute as he was dragged off due to another injury.

It’s an alarming performance by all means. There were a handful of moments where West Ham had a chance or two, but even if they ended up in the back of the net it wouldn’t have been enough. The alarming factor is that there’s no hope of an attack being formed and that’s exactly what fans are worried about, it’s the looking at other relegation candidates and seeing how Leeds came to the Etihad and gave them a run for their money, Nuno’s side weren’t able to do that in the slightest.

Comical defending for the third as defenders tackled like they were a Pizza cuter! Though not the correct piece of equipment, it would’ve been fitting to be in the Butchers, as that’s how it feels going into games as such, a brutal blow against Villa and a dismissive defeat against City leaves us 18th in the League along with a burnt chicken.

Results from the next four games have to be achieved for West Ham otherwise it’ll be the second tier for next season. Missery served for Sullivan come Christmas and a costly January is needed because if Nuno isn’t given any late presents that he wants, the Hammers will be in for a tough ride for the remaining 21 fixtures.

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Manchester City vs West Ham Line-Ups

Submitted by Louis Nixon on Sat, 20/12/2025 - 13:46

Manchester City: Donnarumma, Nunes, Dias, Gvardiol, O'Reily, Nico, Silva (C), Reijnders, Foden, Cherki, Haaland
Subs: Trafford, Ake, Savinho, Khusanov, Gray, Mukasa, Lewis, Mfuni, Heskey

West Ham: Areola, Scarles, Walker-Peters, Kilman, Todibo, Potts, Fernandes, Magassa, Paqueta, Bowen (C), Summerville
Subs: Hermansen, Mavropanos, Igor, Kante, Rodriguez, Soucek, Wilson, Irving, Mayers

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Fulkrug’s Exit Imminent As Deal Advances With Italian Giants

Submitted by Louis Nixon on Thu, 18/12/2025 - 11:12

West Ham finally decided to start opening the doors early in a transfer window, which isn’t the usual way business tends to be done in East London, but it’s certainly something to be glad about.

Nichlas Fulkrug’s exit from the Hammers has always seemed imminent from the moment this season started, and everything began to plummet once his agent revealed that he ‘made the wrong choice’… not the choice of words that would make you popular amongst a fanbase, that’s for sure!

Thankfully, there’s actually a handful of clubs that are interested in Fulkrug, with the leading team to be Italian giant AC Milan, who have already agreed personal terms with ze German and are now offering a loan with an option to buy deal, but Sly Sully isn’t going to be accepting anything less than an obligation.

AC Milan are currently fighting for the League title in Serie A and are in dire need of a forward after Mexican international, Santiago Giminez has gotten injured for the foreseeable future and needs ankle surgery, so it is expected that this deal will go through, however, in the event that it doesn’t, there’s 5 Bundesliga clubs interested in Fulkrug, but ironically the German isn’t interested in a move back to Germany.

The deal is at an advanced stage and AC Milan are prepared to “go all in” for the forward. It's just the finer details that need to be ironed out and given the way the deal has played out so far, it seems West Ham will get their way, given how dire the Italian’s are at the minute.

The only two questions that remain for West Ham are how much we can recoup for him, as well as who will be the replacement for him? But with an array of targets on the horizon, you’d anticipate they’d be fulfilled towards the front of the window, rather than the back-end, as the norm usually is and regarding the fee, the club would be lucky to get half of the £27,500,000 that was initially paid.

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Get this clown out of our club

cast iron's picture
Submitted by cast iron on Tue, 16/12/2025 - 14:03

Forums:

Its just been reported that Fullkrug is going to A C Milan on loan for absolute peanuts with a no oblgation to buy so when he gets injured in February we will be stuck with him till the end of the season and his hefty wage bill. I'm fed up with Sullivan I honestly believe he has lost the plot if he has agreed to this deal wish he would just get out of our club he has allready ruined it and is the reason WHU are going to get relegated with terrible decisions like these

West Ham Identify Three Foward Targets For January Window

Submitted by Louis Nixon on Tue, 16/12/2025 - 08:59

The Hammers have now identified three targets that they’ll test the waters with and determine what deals can be put together.

Two of these targets are from the Championship, with one being from the League leaders in Coventry City, Haji Wright, and the other being from 23rd place Norwich City, in Joshua Sargent. Both forwards are set to be tempted by the Hammers, but the club would have to cough up a fee in the region of £20,000,000.

It’s certainly challenging to tempt a player away from a club that looks destined to be promoted therefore, Sargent is the one who could likely end up being a much easier and cheaper deal.

Many seem to persistently allude that we should poach Championship clubs rather than looking elsewhere in Europe, but it begs the question: is it worth it? Haji Wright has scored 8 goals within 17 matches and Sargent has scored 6 in 20! It’s not exactly the flashiest of stats and one that would suggest Premier League survival, it appears to be preparation for the worst, such admirable ambition!

However, the suspected third and final target is Adama Traore from Fulham, whom Nuno is ‘keen’ to link up with once again. Whilst the fee is unknown, Traore is running into his last six months left on his contract, so if a deal were struck, it would come at a reasonable price and given that Nuno knows how to use him, it could certainly prove to be a healthy acquisition.

The Adama Traore signing would be a more additional body in the door, but the Championship striker targets would be to replace the departing Nichlas Fulkrug, seeing as AC Milan are the leaders in interest after suffering significant injury blows elsewhere, they’re now keen to get a deal over the line as quickly as possible.

The targets and suspected signings don’t scream optimism, but at this given moment, beggars can’t be choosers and it’s either no one or a someone, so the latter will have to be accepted.

All that Hammers fans can now hope for is the signings to be completed early doors and not in time for next Christmas, that’d be handy!

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Weathered Hammers Suffer Defeat To Aston Villa

Submitted by Louis Nixon on Sun, 14/12/2025 - 17:09

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.

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West Ham vs Aston Villa Line-Ups

Submitted by Louis Nixon on Sun, 14/12/2025 - 12:46

West Ham: Areola, Wan-Bissaka, Diouf, Mavropanos, Todibo, Potts, Fernandes, Magassa, Paqueta, Bowen (C), Summerville
Subs: Hermansen, Kilman, Walker-Peters, Igor, Kante, Wilson, Rodriguez, Soucek, Scarles

Aston Villa: Bizot, Cash, Konsa, Lindelof, Maatsen, Kamara, Tielemans, Rogers , Onana, Watkins, McGinn (C)
Subs: Wright, Digne, Bogarde, Garcia, Hemings, Buendia, Malen, Sancho, Guessand

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West Ham’s Previous January Strategy - Cause For Concern?

Submitted by Louis Nixon on Sat, 13/12/2025 - 11:16

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.

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The Form and Norm - Nuno So Far

Submitted by Louis Nixon on Thu, 11/12/2025 - 11:13

Upon Nuno’s arrival, many Hammers fans understood that only so much could be done with a manager replacement, given how poor the results were under Graham Potter as well as how visually lost the team appeared to be.

That same continued doom and gloom feeling persisted on despite a 1-1 draw against Everton and becoming the first to score at their stadium, three miserable losses would follow and relegation nerves kicked in as the majority believed the squad simply wasn’t good enough. But with some finding his midfield of Freddie Potts and the Portuguese Duracell Bunny, the Hammers have lost just a sole game and are up to 9th in the Premier League form standings [Since Newcastle].

One loss in six with three of the results being draws, but the majority consisting of the smallest mistakes and misfortunes ultimately costing West Ham, Nuno’s shut-up shop seems to still be open for 24 hours given the amount of goals the East London side concede once ‘defence mode’ is activated. The repeatedly poor substitutions that have gone on to cost points are an underwhelming… Again, Bournemouth it was down to the changes as well as Kill-joy. Against Manchester United it was a success, and against bogey Brighton, it was the misfortune of being severely shafted combined with a decision or two which in hindsight, shouldn’t have been taken.

It’s been a long ol’ bumpy road and it will continue to do so for the foreseeable future, but it’s crucial to remember that our fortunes could change with helping Nuno come January, along with continuing on our form to an acceptable, realistic circumstance.

January will be pivotal, given the time the club has to make some much-needed signings, as well as the handful of more reasonable fixtures we have that ultimately will make or break our season given that, at the moment, we’re in the doom by two points with Aston Villa and Manchester City before the Christmas break…

Positive signs, given the situation the Hammers found themselves in originally, but an immense amount of work is still required

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West Ham To Propose Swap Deal For Striker

Submitted by Louis Nixon on Tue, 09/12/2025 - 07:46

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

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