David Moyes’ hopes of forging a new West Ham could hardly have been given a tougher start following the publication of the new season’s fixtures.
For his first seven games of the new campaign come against seams from whom we took a solitary point last season when we drew at Newcastle on the resumption of the season.
And it makes the manager’s insistence that he required defenders even more infinitely acute – it could hardly be a more horrendous start.
Our spirits of all were lifted by the end of the season but now comes the true test – can the manager produce a team which is capable of taking points from teams we will need to if we are ever going to reach the top ten or eight and stay there.
Moyes and the squad will have been shocked by the programme in front of them although the only bright spot – and none of us want to think in terms of that – is an end of season programme which looks relatively ok.
The first seven games are against Newcastle at home, Arsenal away, Wolves home, Leicester away, Spurs away, Man City home and Liverpool away.
The first game which could be described as more comfortable comes against Fulham, a game which is followed by Sheffield United away, and Villa and Man United at home.
Mr Moyes’ often brave words about that new West Ham really are about to be tested to the ultimate limits.
Well, if we look at last season, after 7 games, things all looked pretty good…. so we can’t read too much into the opening few games….
Time for the players especially the so called stars to step up and be counted.
The likes of Haller, Wilshire, Yarmelenko, Lanzini and Anderson ( if they are still here) need to start repaying the club in performances and not just talk a good game.