West Ham have a golden opportunity to climb the Premier League table today, potentially moving within a point of opponents Brentford.
While the Hammers are a comfortable ten points clear of the relegation zone, sitting in 16th place isn’t exactly a great look.
Graham Potter has managed just one win and a draw in his first five games as West Ham boss, but that doesn’t reflect the injury-ravaged squad he inherited. That said, if former manager Julen Lopetegui had produced the same five-game record, he’d be facing heavy criticism.
For the first time since taking charge, Potter has the luxury of selection choices, meaning a significant player will be benched.
Mathematically, West Ham could move up to 12th in the league, but their dreadful goal difference means even draws in the Manchester United and Crystal Palace fixtures would keep both teams above them.
Now is the time to start picking up points. After nearly two weeks on the training pitch, Potter finally has the chance to give West Ham fans a glimpse of how he wants his team to play.
I’m hopeful we’ll see an improvement on the result against Chelsea and the fact the new gaffer will be able to call upon both Jarrod Bowen and Lucas Paqueta for the first time could prove significant.
We’re playing far better under Potter but referee decisions are not going our way. Under Lopetegui it was quite the opposite with referee decisions massively going in our favour.
On another matter, I notice Burnley are getting clean sheet after clean sheet in the Championship with Josh Cullen in defensive midfield and as Captain. I’ve not seen the matches. Has anyone else? Is he one that got away?
I did see a game a few weeks back now. The opposition fans chanted boring boring Burnley and the Burnley fans joined in.
Cullen popped up and back down with Burnley the other season, I think he is what he is a reasonable Championship player. I watched Orient v Mansfield the other day, Sonny Perkins came on as an 85th minute sub. The lower leagues are full of our academy products.
14 games remaining.
4 wins and 2 draws will give them coveted 41 points.
Hope this is not to much optimism?
Indeed Lopetegui would have faced heavy criticism for three defeats one draw and one win in five, there’s a difference in context though…
Lopetegui never looked like he had it together with nothing that looked like improvement, whereas Potter looks to be on top of things and that results will come.
Indeed I’m quite optimistic for today is something I don’t think I ever felt with Lopetegui.