Let’s have a recap on where we are after a torrid week.
Things didn’t start as they should have done but it’s getting better – much better.
A move to the London Stadium was meant to be the next step on the ladder for the club when it came to progression in the table, but early results shrouded everything in gloom.
However, we’re on the rise and after wins over Palace, Sunderland and Chelsea plus a place in the quarter finals of the League Cup what’s not to like?
Thoughts of Newcastle’s fall from grace – particularly as their manager Rafa Benitez was Number One on our wish list after the Allardyce years – may have haunted some fans but we don’t expect to be quoted for anything other than a Cup victory at Wembley as the Geordies carry the 5-4 favourite tag in the Bet365 Championship betting for an immediate return to the top flight.
And after recent victories from the lads here’s three more reasons to see our fortunes to stop hiding but instead rise in bubbles of success.
Andre Ayew
We broke our transfer record in the summer when we paid £20.5 million for the services of the Ghana international. The former Swansea man made his return against Chelsea on Wednesday and looked okay but appearing only as a late sub gave him little chance to strut his stuff.
Once back up to speed he is going to be key to us and it will be interesting to see how he fits into a team which already carries two highly killed midfield operators in Payet and Lanzini.
Diafra Sakho
‘Sak’ is almost fit again and ready to prove that he has a big future in the game. His training ground fall-out ahead of the Arsenal home game last season – along with his failed medical at West Brom – are in the past.
The striker has to show that he has a serious future and is at make or break point in his career. Anything other than him being back to his very best is not going to work.
He is believed to want a rise on his reported £27k a week wages and if the Sakho we saw on arrival at the club comes back to that early form he can expect a big new contract.
Either way, he’s playing for his future and there can be no greater incentive.
Dimitri Payet
Having lit up the PL last season and starred in the France Euro 2016 squad Dimi is coming right back to his best as the team starts its surge.
He made a slow start after a late return from international duty and taking a knock at Chelsea on opening day a lay off contributed towards the team’s slow start
But over the last trio of games he has shown the sort of form we became so accustomed to last year and once the team is seriously ticking it will be Dimi at the heart of it all making players around him look much better performers..
What’s next for the Irons?
It’s Everton at the weekend with a lunchtime Sunday kick off when we will be looking for back to back victories against the Toffees after last season’s thrilling 3-2 win.
That’s followed by a Bonfire Day clash with Stoke City when the boys will be looking to start a fire under The Potters at London Stadium. Stoke haven’t been in great form and currently sit one place beneath us so a big win will help to shove us further from them.
We then go into the international break before facing deadly rivals Spurs at White Hart Lane later in November.
COYI
The biggest cheer goes to Slaven for finally dropping under performer Zaza.
Nice article Hugh. Lots to look forward to and be positive about! I agree. Of course Sakho’s future is up to Sakho, as he needs to demonstrate his worth and stop acting like a child. He has the physical attributes, pace, an eye for goal etc, but now he needs to show commitment, loyalty and a little respect towards Slav and the club.
Stoke’s recent form is unbeaten in four, eight points from twelve so that’s a tough game, as is Sundays. And what it is about Lukako and us, he scores every time? But now our luck has turned, you never know he just might take a knock in training and they have to go with Valencia up front (surely we would support any approach they made to the PL to allow him to play)!
And one bit missing from your reasons to be cheerful – Fernandes – He looks like he has the potential to develop into one classy player.