Andy Hinchcliffe has backed West Ham to secure automatic promotion, adding another positive verdict to the Hammers’ increasingly encouraging Championship campaign. Speaking on Sky Sports’ Essential EFL Podcast, the pundit tipped Nuno Espírito Santo’s side to return to the Premier League without needing the play-offs.
As nice as those comments are to hear, I take predictions like this with a pinch of salt. Given the squad West Ham possess, and what I hope will be sufficient spending power to strengthen in January, we should be among the favourites.
Factor in a manager who has already won promotion to the Premier League with Wolves, and there are plenty of reasons for optimism. However, having the ingredients for success and actually delivering it over a full Championship season are two different things. Plus, I’d rather not tempt fate.
Keeping Bowen Fit Is Crucial
For me, so much depends on keeping Jarrod Bowen fit throughout the campaign. Our captain makes an enormous difference, and his ability to create opportunities and score goals gives West Ham an advantage few Championship clubs can match.
That is why getting as many points on the board as possible matters. We cannot assume the strongest team will always be available, or that January recruitment will solve every problem.
Points total matters far more than any eye-catching projection. Promotion predictions are pleasant enough, but victories are what count.
West Ham Can Make A Promotion Statement
Looking at this particular run of fixtures, West Ham have an opportunity to provide much stronger evidence than any pundit’s endorsement.
The victory away at Swansea was an excellent start. Follow that by beating Southampton and West Bromwich Albion, and the Hammers would be demonstrating the sort of consistency against promotion contenders that few rivals could match.
As our Southampton preview highlighted, Saturday presents an opportunity to put valuable daylight between West Ham and a direct rival. Backing up the Swansea result would also give Nuno’s side further momentum before facing Albion.
Hinchcliffe may well be proved right, and I certainly hope he is. But I would feel considerably more confident with another six points banked and Bowen still fit and firing.
That Wolves team was stacked with top quality in midfield and up top especially. Mendes earned a fortune in commission bringing players in and subsequently moving them on for a premium.
NES also had a full compliment of coaching staff during his time up there.
I remember that every goal they scored there were huddles/group hugs amongst staff.
We have neither of the above of the same level.
Just look at the exceptional job Nuno did with Wolves in 2017/18 season. He completely transformed the club and delivered one of the most dominant campaigns in Championship history. They finished top of the table with 99 points. 9 points clear of nearest rival. Don’t think we’ll do as well as that after all he took over a basket case of a club with us, but so far, it’s not looking bad is it.