Forum | Non-Football Related

It has been a few months since Tim Steidten’s dismissal, and with the dust now starting to settle, more and more details are beginning to be released to the public.

Seemingly, it appears that Steidten ended up falling out with Moyes as well as Lopetegui and was ‘banned’ from the training ground during his time at the club as well as the ban, he was also heavily criticised for the players that he’d brought in the windows that had just gone, which was one of many reasons to his eventual departure.

In his most recent interview, he claimed that he believes “it takes 8 to 10 windows to change a squad”, along with suggesting that you needed to mix older players along with young ones but he acknowledges that he made a lot of mistakes, yet would still make them again, sounds very West Ham to me.

No key mentions towards Lopetegui, however, a subtle dig at the Spaniard when talking about Guilherme, saying: “Bringing in a young player was perhaps the wrong time, but not the wrong player.”

Furthermore, Steidten denied the claims that he was banned from the training ground and more so that he decided on his OWN terms not to turn up, saying that it was in the best interest of the club and to retain his working relationship with David Moyes.

This is Steidten’s first time speaking out since his departure and interesting to see no comments towards Lopetegui, especially seeing as a little over a month ago, Jules said in an interview: “I don’t want to speak about Steidten”

Lies in the media? Fake news from the club?

With the constant flow of information, the picture is building further up, it appears we had a smaller walking circus inside a bigger one.

Sleep deprivation can significantly impact athletic performance, slowing reaction times, reducing endurance, and hindering recovery. Graham Potter, renowned for having a solid ‘back’line with a comfortable, controlling midfield. Simba Sleep, who’s renowned for its innovative Hybrid® mattresses is committed to enhancing sleep quality with advanced design and materials. Prioritising rest isn’t just about feeling refreshed, it’s a critical factor in achieving peak performance, both physically and mentally.

The overlooked factor in athletic performance

When striving to improve athletic performance, most athletes focus on training, nutrition, and recovery methods such as stretching or ice baths. But one crucial factor is often neglected, quality sleep.
Lisa Artis, Deputy CEO of Simba’s charity partner, The Sleep Charity highlights its importance: “Prioritising quality rest is not just a luxury; it’s a necessity for physical, mental, and emotional well-being. Athletes who optimise their sleep see significant improvements in performance, recovery, and injury prevention.”
She further emphasises: “Lack of sleep increases levels of cortisol, the stress hormone, which can negatively affect muscle recovery and endurance. Ensuring adequate rest is just as important as training itself.”
Whether you're a professional athlete or someone who sits on the bench and earns £125k per week, quality rest can give you the edge you need. Here’s why sleep should be a non-negotiable part of your routine.

Faster recovery and stronger muscles

After an intense game or climbing the stairs to your seat in the London Stadium, your muscles need time to repair and grow. This process primarily occurs during deep sleep Lisa Artis adds: “Deep sleep is the body's natural recovery phase. Without it, your muscles remain fatigued, increasing the risk of injury and delaying improvements in strength and performance.”
Without enough sleep, your body struggles to rebuild muscle, leading to prolonged recovery, increased soreness, and a higher risk of injury. Deep, restorative sleep ensures your body is ready to take on the next match, not to mention, sleep is also immensely important for us fans, we do have to watch West Ham week in week out so mental recovery through sleep is much-needed.

Sharper focus and faster reactions

In competitive sports, split-second decisions can make or break a game; whether it’s reacting to an opponent’s move, maintaining precision, or strategising on the go, your brain needs to perform at its best. I hope Roberto is giving this a read, would’ve helped a handful in the 2019/20 season!
Lisa Artis, explains: “Lack of sleep reduces vigilance, alertness, and focus, making it harder to perform tasks that require sustained attention. This can be a serious disadvantage in both training and competition.”
Sleep deprivation impacts cognitive function in a way similar to alcohol consumption. Reaction times slow, decision-making suffers, and concentration declines, none of which are ideal for an athlete aiming to perform at their best…it sounds familiar, I’ll give you a hint: his initials are ‘KM’. But by getting enough sleep, you enhance cognitive function, reaction time, and decision-making ability, giving yourself the best chance of success.

Injury prevention and coordination (Listen up Medical Team!)

Fatigue leads to poor coordination, slower reflexes, and weakened muscle control, all of which increase the likelihood of injury. Research shows that athletes who average less than eight hours of sleep per night are 1.7 times more likely to experience an injury compared to those who sleep eight or more hours, which is exactly how we know that poor old Andy Carroll must’ve had 4 hours a night. Lisa Artis stresses: “Sleep is when your body restores energy and repairs damaged tissues. Without it, balance and coordination suffer, increasing the risk of strains, sprains, and serious injuries.” Getting sufficient rest means better control over your body, reducing the risk of sprains, strains, missteps, and as you can clearly see, our old medical team weren’t the producers of these EU Queen Mattresses

More energy and endurance

Sleep plays a vital role in regulating energy levels and stamina. Well-rested athletes, or a Moyes playing style, efficiently store and utilise glycogen, the fuel muscles rely on during exercise. Sleep deprivation on the other hand, leads to quicker exhaustion, making even routine workouts feel significantly harder. Lisa Artis points out: “Your body relies on sleep to regulate energy expenditure. Athletes who consistently get high-quality sleep tend to have better stamina, endurance, and overall performance.” A well-rested body functions optimally, ensuring endurance, strength, and motivation remain high throughout training and competition.

Why your mattress matters

Even if you prioritise sleep, its quality matters as much as its duration. An unsupportive mattress can cause discomfort, poor posture, and restless nights, all of which negatively impact muscle recovery and overall performance. Perhaps something that Diafra Sakho should’ve invested in rather than the cursed ‘back-man’. The Simba Hybrid® Mattress is designed for optimal support, featuring innovative Aerocoil® springs for full-body alignment and pressure relief. Its extra-deep Simbatex® foam adds elasticity for cushioning comfort, while the nine-zone foam base supports key areas like the hips and shoulders. Upgrading to a high-quality mattress improves sleep efficiency, reduces stiffness, and helps you wake up refreshed and ready to perform.

The bottom line

Just like football, in which a selective amount of Hammers players could take note of, train harder, perform better, and recover faster, sleep must be a top priority. Just like a solid training plan and balanced nutrition, quality rest is essential for peak performance. By prioritising deep, restorative sleep, you give your body the recovery it needs to stay strong, sharp, and ready for any challenge.
Investing in better sleep isn’t just about comfort, it’s about unlocking your full potential and proving your ludicrously high weekly wage.  

The answer has been found, West Ham hasn’t been getting their sleep, and Potter hasn’t been getting much either!

Graham Potter woke up this morning and might’ve finally realised how difficult transfers will truly be.

The club was met with the warming impression that Lille midfielder Angel Gomes is likely to not join West Ham on a pre-contract agreement after his seeming rejection of £100,000 per week.

In response to this, the club are planning to side-eye the English international and move on to other targets, with the idea of revisiting January target Ezechiel Banzuzi, who’s set to be available for £10,000,000 come the summer.

Potter has claimed that he’s looking for his ‘true’ side to become more proficient in possession. A ‘controlling’ midfield is what he’s aiming to achieve alongside Kyle Macauly in the window. Angel Gomes was seen as a top target for the manager but the club are refusing to pay more than the current £100,000 wage offer which is on the table.

Our wage structure will see a huge reduction with Uncle Ingy leaving, alongside Kurt Zou officially leaving the club, in addition to other exits such as Mavropanos, who’s on £60,000. With a wage restructure starting to form shape, the club cannot afford other players and agents’ coherence us into ridiculous wage demands when we could spent elsewhere.

In response to another Lille player, Jonathan David, we're still awaiting a response with David more reportedly open to the wage we have offered. However, not to worry! Sully gave him an invite to visit the London Stadium for the match against Newcastle, so surely that'll convince him to join.

Let's hope he saw how desperately we need a striker rather than the performance itself.