Forum | Non-Football Related

Much loved Hammers player Pablo Fornals used to be one of the first players on David Moyes' team sheets but the need to 'accommodate' new signings has seen him drop to the bench in all but a few Premier League games, although he has featured in all the 'Con Cup' games.

Fornals came on with 25 minutes to go and scored a 'Scorpion Kick' goal as well as providing an assist for Cornet who had come on as a sub at the same time, unfortunately the Cornet goal was adjudged offside but Fornals' goal stood. Anyone with a heart would have felt moved as the emotion of scoring such a goal overwhelmed the lovable Spaniard, leaving him unable to control the tears that streaked down his face.

Now that's what you call emotion, pure love of the club and it's supporters shone from the self confessed 'cockerny', it was obvious to all and sundry just how much he has missed starting for the club this season. David Moyes alluded to Fornals' lack of game time in his post match presser and reiterated what an important player Pablo is for the Irons despite the paucity of his EPL starts.

A top, top player who did not look out of place in the same company as Declan Rice, Pac,man and all the rest of the players who clearly think the world of him as was illustrated by the amount of 'man cuddles' he received following his tearful episode.

For once Hammers were on the front foot from the get go and were rewarded within the first 5 minutes with a Big Mikey Antonio bullet header that left Neto no chance. Things got even better a few minutes later when 'Pacman' leapt like a salmon to score another header that the Bournemouth defence were unable to cope with.

2-0 up after 12 minutes was an incredible way to start the game and things got even better when the captain,Declan Rice, added another couple of million to his sale value with a beautifully executed shot from the edge of the box just before half time.

The 'Cherry' on the cake was Fornals' 2nd half goal but also the rigid defence and authoritative way the players bossed the midfield and restricted the home team to 'spirited' efforts that were well dealt with by Lukasz Fabianski and an evergreen performance from the much maligned Aaron Cresswell. We have absolutely no idea what the medical team have been giving him, but long may it continue!

The win has helped Hammers move up the table and put a few points between the club and the bottom three, but it is still early doors when it comes to survival, the club needs a bare minimum of another TWO WINS before fans can start to relax.

Of course there is the small matter of the 'Con Cup' semi final to deal with along with the crucial Premier League 'monster schedule', the club should never have found itself in this position, but at least everyone can see that the players and yes including the manager, are showing a bit of.....now what is it called? Oh yes, the West Ham way! - LN

PS: Match of the Day will be a 'happy place' tonight irrespective of the amount of time devoted to the Cherries v Irons game, seeing Tottingham gubbed always brings a smile!

Crucial games towards the business end of the season, particularly for those clubs embroiled in a Premier League survival battle, are often called six pointers. If ANY game deserves to be given that name, then West Ham United's game away to fellow strugglers Bournemouth at the Amex Stadium surely lives up to that title! Defeat would plunge Hammers back to the brink of the relegation abyss, a draw or a win could see the club virtually safe and sound depending on other results.

For those NOT directly associated with the teams fighting it out at the bottom of the Premier League it makes for entertaining viewing, for fans who ARE directly affected it is an extremely stressful time. So many clubs have sacked their managers this season, more than any other Premier League season in it's history, such are the financial rewards available.

Fine margins can define success or failure and the inevitable "result from nowhere' is quite a common factor in deciding who stays and who drops out of the richest league in World football, even a late spurt of form can see clubs fall short, so points on the board as opposed to games in hand are crucial. West Ham have TWO GAMES in hand on most of the other clubs that are desperately trying to avoid relegation, however those two games in hand are against Manchester City AND Liverpool!

Even a solitary point from both fixtures would be an achievement, but realistically Moyes and his staff will have metaphorically written both games off, which brings us back to tomorrow's games. Bournemouth have shown how resilient they can be so NOTHING short of a supreme effort will do on Sunday, even then it might not be enough to overcome a good side playing in a stadium that isn't big but has a tremendous atmosphere.

The Liverpool game follows on Wednesday evening so Moyes might be tempted to go 'strong' for the Cherries and 'rest' players up against a Liverpool team that have come into form recently, points on the road or a stirring display at the 'disparate' stadium? That is the question that Dini needs to answer emphatically, there is a groundswell of opinion that 'saving' players is counter productive and that there is a need for the current momentum to be carried on as opposed to the side being re jigged.

From a financial point of view staying in the Premier League IS the be all and end all, however Moyes will be thinking that IF he can win the club's first 'proper trophy' since 1980 then he would be guaranteed of having his contract renewed DESPITE being a very unpopular choice among fans, many of which have VERY SHORT memories, it is NOT personal, it IS what fans of ALL clubs do!

Realistically anything could happen in the club's European adventure in the next two games, but survival IS the most important thing. But given the options most fans would elect the latter rather than the former. The concept might smack of a lack of ambition, but it is what it is.....survival is the key! - Ed

Between tonight's game against G(h)ent in London and Sunday's game against Bournemouth Hammers ENTIRE season could be defined, victory in both fixtures would see the club reach yet another European competition semi final AND secure Premier League football for next season. Of course defeat in either fixture will have the doom merchants jumping on board with their vast amounts of negative energy directed at the club.

It should not have really come down to this state of affairs given the relatively large financial investment in the squad of late but it is what it is, there is nothing more to add other than it is 'sh*t or bust' time now and nothing other than a resounding win will do tonight! That said, Gent showed enough during the first leg to show just how dangerous they CAN be, so Hammers will have to be at the top of their game to progress to the semi finals.

There are those who argue that the Conference Cup is little more than a sideshow and that PREMIER LEAGUE survival is ALL that matters and to a degree they are correct, BUT winning the 'Con Cup' earns a place in next season's Europa League, something neither Chelsea nor Liverpool look like being able to attain, so it is NOT exactly a dead rubber!

Success against Gent and Bournemouth will NOT make the season something to bang on about in the bragging rights among supporters, but it would go a long way to bringing back the feel good factor that their club once had. Essentially whether by luck or judgement there are at least three teams who are far worse off and if things stay that way then there will be plenty of time to lick the wounds of this currently disappointing season and look forward to the next, hopefully with a new manager at the helm who is a little more forward thinking than David Moyes who has done a stirling job but now needs to move on OR retire!

Ticket sales for tonight's game have rocketed following last weekend's spirited fightback against the Gooners, more of the same will see a lot of happy faces leaving Stratford this evening, a return to the team's 'negative nancy' approach will most definitely NOT! - Ed