Whatever the outcome, West Ham United fans will shortly be released from the sensation of having that knotted dread of fear that has slowly grown as the end of this Premier League season has drawn nearer. Temporarily released when the Hammers climbed out of the relegation zone, the crashing reality check delivered by last week’s defeat to Newcastle has left the club teetering on the abyss and supporters back in a state of anxiety or, alternatively, resignation to a season in the Championship.
However the faithful will turn up at London Stadium determined to cheer on the hope of a last day miracle, whilst the millions of channel-hoppers at home prepare for shredded nerves as the Tottenham game kicks off at the same time with the Irons’ fortunes inexorably linked with the outcome of that game.
Nuno crosses out the ‘three centre-backs’ option.. hopefully!
Nuno surely has to ditch the hated three centre – back strategy that failed so spectacularly at St James’s Park and give one last hurrah to the 4-4-2 formation of January that sparked the brief recovery.
Will he take a brave decision and replace Hermansen with Areola – as many fans have called for? Who would you feel happier see walk out with the gloves for the season finale? Quite. Areola? Us too.
However remembering Nuno’s stubborn streak, this is the starting line up we’d predict:
Hermansen | Walker Peters, Disasi, Mavropanos, Diouf | Soucek, Fernandes | Bowen, Pablo, Castellanos, Summerville
Score predictions:
Gonzo 2-1 West Ham win but 2-2 Spurs draw: West Ham relegated on goal difference
Sean West Ham 1-0 win, Spurs 0-1 loss so Tottenham relegated
Martin 1- 0 both West Ham and 1 – 0 Everton wins : The most nervy 90 minutes of our season plus at least +10 added minutes in both games but Spurs relegated.
Matt 1 – WH draw with Leeds and Spurs win 2- 1 so West Ham relegated.
Team news will be here first at 2.45pm…
Getting our hopes up for survival in the 2nd half of the season, results going our way elsewhere (Spurs losing) but us not managing to beat an injury hit team in the bottom half of the table – this is the West Ham way!
My heart goes with what both Sean and Martin say but unfortunately my head agrees with Gonzo. We will probably be relegated on goal difference. But COYI anyway!
I’m not very hopeful, we’re 8-1 against on possible results going into the game. That improves to 2-1 against if we beat Leeds, but I’m not confidant that we will.
It’s odds against with the odds reducing dramatically if we win.
Whatever happens I will not be letting Sullivan off the hook because we should not be in this position.