West Ham United’ s strong start to the season should serve as a warning to the rest of the division, according to one former EFL manager, speaking on Sky sports today. Whereas Hammers fans are wary of getting ahead of themselves after the club’s hesitant start in the second division, according to a former EFL club manager, the rest of their competitors need to take them seriously as Champions in waiting.
The Irons have now thrown off their relegation blues and are just getting up to speed, unbeaten in the last six and looking like true title contenders, at least, that’s the verdict of former Luton, Wycombe and Oxford United manager Matt Bloomfield, speaking earlier on Skysports, as reported by EFL website the72.co.uk:
“After relegation, there is so much uncertainty. Plus, you have to change the mentality. They have come back since the loss to Charlton, they will be a real force this year. The quality they have running through the team is unreal.”
Hammers fans will be far more cautious.
West Ham need to prove they can handle this division’s physicality
One injury to a key player could throw them back into mid table chaos. The vulnerability shown against Millwall’s bullying and aggression has shown the rest of the division how to play against the former Premier League big boys who have not yet fully undergone the ‘change of mentality’ that Bloomfield refers to.
In short, West Ham have yet to prove conclusively that they can handle the physicality dished out by clubs like Bolton or Millwall.
Until they do, fans will remain sceptical of the ‘title contenders’ claim and will anxiously tick off each game as it comes.
I think the team learned as much as the rest of the division in that game against Millwall and whilst others might try the same tactics I’m not sure it will work too many more times