Forum | General Discussion

West Ham: Adrian, Cresswell, Zabaleta, Obiang, Ogbonna, Reid, Antonio, Noble Masuaku, Lanzini. Arnautovic .Subs: Hart, Ayew, Sakho, Carroll, Hernandez, Rice
Arsenal: Cech, Bellerin, Koscielny, Holding, Monreal, Kolasinac, Xhaka, Wilshire, Lacazette, Ozil, Giroud. Subs: Sanchez, others to be confirmed.
NB: Amendments may be made once we arrive at the London Stadium

Now the dust has settled a little following West Ham United's vital victory over London rivals and last season's champions Chelsea, fans are beginning to believe in David Moyes' appointment as manager and in his ability to guide the club to Premier League safety. Essentially he and his staff have taken their players back to basics in order to give themselves the belief they lost when things began to unravel following the acrimonious departure of one time talisman Dimitri Payet to Marseille, ever since he left players who had excelled regressed and others just couldn't be bothered for various on and off field reasons.

It is easy to say that Slaven Billic's regime was too friendly etc or blah blah as he used to like saying, but no one seemed to care when West Ham were turning over all of the top teams and only narrowly missed qualifying for the Champions League. What else changed apart from Payet leaving? Prior to his departure the squad had already lost Alex Song, Carl Jenkinson and Victor Moses from the original 'Boleyn Boys' of Slav's era, in addition the manager was becoming a 'grown up father' with his new wife and young family which more than likely took his edge away, not to mention the dreadful transfer window preceding the move from the much loved Boleyn to the empty carcass that was the initial London Stadium.

The players who have stood up and been counted by their new manager are already reaping the reward by being selected on merit and not just reputation or wage packet, not playing expensive signings and players on big money is not always an easy option but Moyes seems to have got his point across to all those concerned at the club. The victory over Chelsea was vindication for Moyes' pragmatic approach and willingness to back up his judgment with his decisions, however politically or professionally difficult they may be. His hard work ethos was very noticeable in the extra effort and discipline shown by the players against a Chelsea side who were no mugs and who had five forwards on by the end of the match and most certainly couldn't plant their blue flag!

'King' Authur Masuaku was named man of the match for his scintillating display on the left, but Adrian San Miguel set the tone for the afternoon, as soon as his name was announced the crowd were on his side, every exaggerated save he made was received with mass applause and he bellowed at his team to play further up the pitch from the beginning of the match until it's end. Having the crowd on board set the tone for another great atmosphere, Moyes must know that a crowd favourite lifts everyone, we could only recall Adrian receiving a couple of back passes such was his emphasis on keeping the ball moving.

All the players put in a shift, 'Elbow's ' took his goal brilliantly, Zabaleta raced around like an under 21 and credit where it's due to much maligned Mark Noble, the Hammer's captain worked his socks off but more importantly kept his discipline, as was highlighted by M.O.T.D, he must have been drilled by Pearce and Co to not stray much past the half way line. In fact the only really poor pass Noble made was on one of the rare occasions when he did venture forward, fortunately Zabaleta was able to break Chelsea's interception down. Although most of Noble's work was in the centre of the pitch he was probably in need of an ice bath after the match, which does raise the question of whether he will be selected for the Arsenal game on Wednesday night or will it be a match too far for his weary legs?

The games are coming up thick and fast, so injuries and fatigue will be an issue for what is a relatively thin West Ham squad, most players will know where they stand with their boss by the time the transfer window opens where upon several departures have apparently been sanctioned if the money or terms are decent.

The happy crowd at the London Stadium sang with great conviction throughout the match that left the visiting Chelsea supporters in no doubt as to where they could stick their blue flag- Ed