Cause For Optimism Ahead Of Aston Villa Clash

From Graham Potter’s press conference yesterday there were many pauses, carefully considered words and things left unsaid. The Hammers head coach was careful not to commit but it is clear from his expression and his measured words that he ie excited by the prospect of the return to fitness of two of his key players.

The welcome sight of Jarrod Bowen and Crycencio Summerville both training at Rush Green yesterday served as a huge boost for supporters who were pretty down after the Crystal Palace display.

Whether or not Bowen especially puts in an appearance this week end on the pitch is doubtful – the last thing anybody wants at West Ham just now is a recurrence of his fracture which only happened on the 29th December.

Sometimes the head coach needs to take the long view and allow broken bones to heal properly, however eager the Hammers’ captain is to start helping his team.

And the prospect of Summerville starting again will again lift the side: Unthinkable now to imagine that Julen Lopetegui couldn’t find a regular starting berth for the young man who was sorely missed last week end. The good news should keep on coming over the coming weeks as Jean-Clair Todibo recovers fitness and Mavropanos returns from his suspension.

Todibo especially will be a welcome sight: Linked with interest from both Marseille and an offer yesterday from Juventus, the defender will be staying put at West Ham this season. By his own admission he’s been operating at around 80% fitness so will be like a new signing once he’s actually overcome both his fitness issues and the obvious dislike he had for the previous coach.

Combined with – dare we say it – new signings in the next few days, West Ham could be about to turn a corner.