Forum | General Discussion

Having an injury list as long as your arm, a list that in the past would have had Old 'arry bringing out his "down to the bare bones" one liner, David Moyes could be forgiven for thinking his 'second coming' was cursed. Now however the situation is much rosier, only 'lonely' Jack Wilshere remains on the long term injury list along with Ryan Fredericks because injury prone Andry Yarmolenko has returned to fitness, and is training without any new issues. New signing Tomas Soucek will be available in a fortnight so he doesn't make the dreaded 'out for a while' list, with his injury only being a mild abductor strain.

Some change from the 'bad old days', Moyes will be able to enjoy the luxury of working out who to ommit rather than who can make up the numbers! One plus point to emerge from the 'injury glut' is right back Joseph Ngakia, althoughhn still raw, the youngster has slotted in so well in the absence of Fredericks that he has made the position his own, ahead of the vastly experienced Pablo Zabaleta.

With Ben Johnson being groomed for the left back berth. the future is looking bright from a defensive point of view as David Moyes pursues his aim to manage a young and dynamic team that has more than it's fair share of talented young british players. The signing of Jarred Bowen is a prime indication of the direction moyes wants the club to travel, Bowen is NOT a Jordan Hugill type of purchase, he is one for the future, but already his presence and energy have begun to filter throughout the entire squad.

If Hammers can survive by avoiding relegation there is every poosibility that next season might finally deliver on the promise of 'attractive attacking football by a vibrant young team that has a spine of young talented British players. Let's hope so! - Asst Ed

Often when a new manager arrives at a football club he has already made certain decisions regarding which players he 'fancies', this tried and trusted technique is designed to ensure that there are no nasty surprises, however the downside is that unknown talent can end up going by the by.

Ahead of David Moyes reappointment as West Ham manager, Pablo Fornals had been a 'ray of light' in a 'rudderless ship', Moyes' decision to not play, and indeed exclude Fornals from the match day squad, baffled and infuriated fans and players alike. Fornals finally got his chance to play following Tomas Soucek's withdrawal during the second half of the narrow 3-2 defeat by Liverpool at Anfield.

With virtually his first involvement in the game, Fornals swept home the goal that put Hammers 2-1 ahead against the runaway Barclays Premier League leaders, not bad for a player the manager deemed unworthy of a starting place! Fornals played in the same position for Spain’s Under 21's in the European Championship last summer, and was one of the stars of the tournament as they emerged as outright winners.

With Soucek out for up to three weeks with an abductor injury, the path is clear for Fornals to have a run of games in the crucial matches to follow, If he was good enough to be one of the stars for Spain, keeping out some of Europe's finest talent, surely he is good enough for West Ham?

Moyes is not a stupid man, but he can be a bit stubborn, hopefully he will be 'big' enough to accept that he was mistaken by keeping Fornals out of the team by playing him from now on, at least until Soucek is available. - Ed

If as a viewer you were able to watch the Liverpool v West Ham game with sub titles instead of commentary, then you would have witnessed a spirited but eventually fruitless display by a battling Hammers side against 'the best team in the world'. Unfortunately SKY having a Liverpool stalwart as well as a Manchester United crony heavily involved in the 'match day experience' ensured any enjoyment Hammers fans had was kept to a minimum.

This performance against the runaway league leaders was the polar opposite of the insipid capitulation during the defeat against City, the team played with verve and guile only to be undone by two rare mistakes from the usually utterly reliable Lukasz Fabianski in goal. Still there were many plus points, not least the contribution of Jeremy Ngakia at right back, he has taken the mantle from the injured Ryan Fredericks and the ageing Pablo Zabaleta, in Ngakia the club have a player who could make the right back spot his own for years to come, if the club can keep hold of him!

Of course the team's great performance last night still ended in a 3-2 defeat, but given the pundits predictions, especially the thoughts of one Sam Allardyce, the result was much better than expected and helped to keep Hammers goal difference better than those around them in the relegation zone.

All of the good points derived from the 'battle of anfield' will count for nothing if David Moyes chooses pragmatism over adventure for this weekend's essential home tie against Southampton, victory is a must, anything else will see the club on the abyss of having the biggest ground in the Championship!

Time is running out, but West Ham still have their destiny in their hands for now, even if their grip is becoming more and more tenuous. Nothing short of full effort will do from now on, it really is time for the players to stand up and be counted, or if not at least play so well other teams will be interested in acquiring them if they do want to move. - Ed