Relegation: That is the very real fear hanging over London Stadium just now as West Ham sit rooted to 19th spot with four points from nine games. A bleak picture indeed compared with the optimism that appeared-fleetingly- to break out when Graham Potter was dismissed a few short weeks ago.
The only benefit of early action – Potter was sacked just weeks into the campaign – is that there are still something like 87 points up for grabs in the 29 remaining games. More than likely West Ham need to secure thirty five of them to survive. Which means ten wins and five draws in the remaining matches. A mountain to climb? Not it would seem according to one ex-player turned broadcaster who plied his trade in north London.
Groves is confident that West Ham United will not be at risk of relegation
Speaking on talkSPORT former Arsenal winger Perry Groves offered his own somewhat surprising assessment of the Irons’ survival chances- as reported by insidefutbol.com. ‘Local lad’ Groves, born in Bow, gave his own upbeat opinion:
“ I don’t think West Ham will be [in trouble come May]”, Groves said on talkSPORT…I think it will take Nuno Espirito Santo a while to bed in his ideas. He is playing players out of their positions, which is very, very strange. He’ll be backed in the transfer window in January.
You just have to make sure you are not too far adrift by the time you get to that January transfer window. At the moment I don’t think Nuno has put his identity on West Ham.”
Such optimism isn’t shared by many who support the club. Indeed, ‘very, very strange‘ team selections have got to stop if the points are going to start to flow. The faster Nuno works out his best eleven – which clearly wasn’t the starting eleven against Brentford or Leeds- the better. And the clock is ticking.
As everybody says, needs to settle on a squad and a structure (bearing in mind there are not so many payers to choose from anyhow!!) so can really start training and practicing the smallest details in defence, middle of the park, link up play with forwards etc.
The players need to be drilled in their positions, till they are confident of their expected roles in a match. That and the confidence they will be playing regularly changes mindsets I think. Plus playing minutes regularly, quite simply.
Switching 5 to 3 to 4 at the back, is not on either – not at this moment in time. Comments that we are not doing the basics are everywhere and to correct this need a settled setup, with tactical tweaks, resting players, injuries, trying Guilherme (😁) being sufficient change already.
Was able to watch Newcastle vs Fulham match last Saturday. Different ball game to us, fast and back & forth – we had better be ready with plenty of legs on the pitch for Newcastle. COYI
What I don’t understand about the experiments is why after we put in a credit worthy performance at Everton. Everton wasn’t a fluke as the stats were very even, it was a deserved draw. Repeat that performance against Brentford and Leeds should have yielded points.
Instead of just going with similar again why ?
It could not have failed more conclusively, not a first thing about it worked, so why go with it again ?
I very much get the feeling that we flushed points down the pan last week is what I’m finding it very difficult to deal with.
Getting tired of hearing Guilherme is a failure, not been played enough to conclude this , btw we are an abject failure atm.
Maybe somebody on Claret & Hugh could tell Nuno to ask it’s writers and it’s readers for advice on team selection and the players’ best positions. Better still, why can’t he ask the players, ffs! And if that’s not possible then ask the tea lady. Just about anybody could pick a better starting eleven.