By Simon Leyland
Have we turned the corner?
West Ham had not scored four goals in a match this season until two months ago, but we have now hit four goals three times in our last seven home matches.
Goals have been a big issue for much of the season, but against Forest, AEK Larnaca and now Gent, West Ham have shown a real ability to become ruthless once they get going in matches.
In their last seven home matches, West Ham have scored 17 goals, hitting four in a game three times since then. In their first 16 home games of the campaign, they scored just 23, nine of which came in four European matches.
Making the London Stadium a fortress and a place to rediscover goals has certainly helped West Ham improve in 2023. This calendar year, we have lost just once from nine matches on home soil, winning four and drawing four.
With home matches to come against Liverpool, Manchester United, AZ Alkmaar and Leeds United before the season is up, going into those games with improved home form, improved home atmosphere and improved home scoring record- West Ham can have the faith that on their given day, they can give anyone a test, as proved when drawing 2-2 with Arsenal five days ago.
Apart from the Newcastle game which was a bit of a freak game with five goals let in from five individual errors the rest of 2023 we’ve not been half bad. It’s unfortunate most people’s perception is still based on the early part of the season where we had a lot of bad luck and narrow losses. I remember there were games where we didn’t play that badly but still lost by the odd goal because we weren’t scoring as freely as we seem to be now.
One loss in 9 games , loads of goals, players hitting form…… No question in my mind now, we are staying in the Premiership.