Forum | Non-Football Related

We had a bad, bad feeling at The Org ahead of the crucial game against Everton, and unfortunately those thoughts came to pass. The team selected to play against the Toffees was the same one that had just dismantled Burnley, so there couldn't be many who would have doubted the 'if it ain't broke don't fix it philosophy ahead of the game.

But for the want of...it should be remembered this was as close to a full strength team as Hammers meagre squad could provide, albeit without the services of one of the best defenders on the planet! Not only that, a team devoid of a defender capable of bringing the ball out of the back with intelligence and aplomb, in the form of Masuaku.

The absence of Rice in particular has had a collateral effect on the team, without him in midfield Tomas Soucek is unable to make the probing runs from midfield that had become his trademark, covering for Rice's absence has virtually nullified his goal scoring opportunities.

Both Rice and Masuaku were key components in the team that ripped others apart during Hammers early 'golden years' part of the season, never the less, the visitors out thought and out fought Moyes's team, and as a result realistic hopes of obtaining a Champions League place have all but vaporised, just like our dreams, how prophetic?

There is no point in indulging in the blame game, the club have come up short when the business end of the season arrived, the players did put in a shift today, maybe not up to the high levels that they attained in the past, and possibly had it not been for the width of the woodwork, and a Said Benrahma effort not quite hitting the target things might have been different.

The next 'target' is to get in to the Europa League at the 'top table', as opposed to having to play endless qualifying games, a scenario that Hammers' squad, despite any summer reinforcements would find hard to navigate. - Ed

Leeds did Hammers a favour yesterday by beating 'Tottingham' 3-1, unfortunately neither Manchester City nor Southampton could oblige in the other results which saw Chelsea move further away and Liverpool move ominously closer. Realistically if David Moyes's boys are going to have any hope of making one of the Champions League slots, they have to (a) win all of the four remaining games, and (b) hope that Leicester continue to self destruct just as they did at the end of last season.

The problem is the fixtures aren't too kind for the Irons, especially the rapidity of the schedule, although to be fair it is the same for all the other clubs in the Barclays Premier League. Everton's visit to the London Stadium is the first of the remaining 'cup finals', their away form has been far more impressive than their home form, which has seen them drop off the pace, but a win for them would put them back in the hunt.

David Moyes doesn't have a particularly good record against his former club, in fact before joining West Ham for the first time it was Played 4, Lost 4. Scored 0, Conceded 8. Ok those statistics include his miserable time at Sunderland as well as his highly publicised unsuccessful stint as Manchester United manager.

Injuries have severely affected Hammers run in, but Moyes will have Angelo Ogbonna back to shore up the defence in tandem with Les Dawson, and he will also have Declan Rice available, although the game might have come a bit too early for the England defender, with the Brighton game being far more likely for him to make his return from injury he picked up while on International duty.

They say if it ain't broke don't fix it, and there is a feeling that the team who blew away Burnley should be retained, with the exception of replacing Issa Diop with the Og. If you found the recent games stressful, then be prepared for another blood pressure/heart rate overload, viewers are advised to turn off their Apple fit bit monitors for fear of them going into meltdown.

By the end of the afternoon, Hammers fans could be dreaming of Europe, or lamenting how close the club came to the 'promised land'. Dream on....Ed