What have you made of our start to the season?
David Meagher: It’s early days but there can be no doubt that the new set up is more ambitious as evidenced by an impressive transfer window and to some extent on the pitch. The win over Palace was important as our opening fixtures are challenging and we need to just get some points and let the side gel. We look stronger in defence and have a lot of good attacking options. Steidten et al have delivered the ingredients for a top six side and it’s now up to J’Lo to deliver. All the pointers are positive, but we are still developing our rhythm.
Meirion Williams: I agree with David, it is early days. Villa was a disappointment, Palace was a nice surprise. The Bournemouth game was the usual huff and puff in a cup competition and the result against Citie was predictable. September will give us a better understanding of where our season will go but it does look promising just on performances alone. With the cup giving us an away day at Anfield, it looks like we can concentrate on the league until January so that has to be a positive.
Paul Brand: How predictable was it that Duran would find the winner in our first game? It’s slightly peculiar that a 1-1 draw at home to Villa last season was more negatively received than a narrow defeat, but overall David is right that the ingredients are there and fans will draw encouragement from any signs that they are blending into something a bit tasty.
David Blackmore: If someone has offered me three points before a ball was kicked, I would’ve taken it. It truth, I probably would’ve take two points. Villa are a side very much up the up so whilst it was disappointing not to take our chances against them, our season won’t be judged on our results against them. The performance was good though, as it was against City. The result at Selhurst Park was a complete shock to me. I wasn’t there but based on the highlights, on another day, Palace could’ve scored loads. I’ll take that win every day of the week.
What did you make of our transfer window overall?
DM: It’s been a brilliant transfer window where we have brought in a healthy mix of experience and developing talent. The defence looks considerably stronger and also better on the ball. Summerville and Fullkrug need to settle in but look the business. I think the bizarre circumstances by which we still have Paqueta is a big bonus and some folk are referring to Soler as Payet mark two. I think JWP’s departure was a mistake as he is Premier League proven. The other departures – Aguerd, Zouma and Cornet – had run their course and needed a switch.
MW: A bit of a shock I have to say, we even had activity on deadline day which is pretty much unheard of. Of the outgoings I was delighted to see the back of Zouma and much to the relief of the RSPCA, he no longer plays in the UK. As for Cornet, well he’s no great loss. I was disappointed to see JWP leave. I thought he has never been given a chance in the claret and blue. I like the look of Summerville and Soler is an intriguing one. It’s early days but to see Sully open the purse strings was a revelation.
PB: Like Meirion, I think JWP still had a lot to offer and was surprised to see him go, but Soler should be better on the ball, which is what we want. And when I’m quibbling over a decent player being replaced by a younger talent with 14 caps for Spain, then you can tell there’s not much to moan about this window. Which makes a change.
DB: I was shocked by not only the number of players we’ve signed but also the calibre. We’ve clearly backed Julen Lopetegui and Tim Steidten has worked his magic. I’ve also been surprised at the players we’ve let go – James Ward Prowse being one of them. I felt like his stats from his first season were up there with our best last season. But I respect the manager for coming in and making calls like this and also letting club captain Kurt Zouma go too.
What have you made of our new signings so far?
DM: Early days but already I like Kilman, and Wan Bissaka has been excellent and can play either side. Rodriguez looks to be a strong partner for the excellent Alvarez. The rest have only had warm-up time so far.
MW: Kilman looks good as does Summerville. I think it’s early days yet on the others but at least now it seems we have strength in depth.
PB: Kilman has been the standout, closely followed by AWB. Rodriguez looked to be getting up to speed against Bournemouth and City. Now we just need Füllkrug to start firing.
DB: Unsurprisingly, I agree with the others with Kilman. Hopefully he’ll be able to shore up the defence. Wan Bissaka looks decent too and as David says, Rodriguez has looked great. I feel like Fullkrug – based on what I saw him do for Germany this summer – will be great coming off the bench for us once he gets up to speed with the Prem and I’m looking forward to seeing what Soler and Summerville can do as the season progresses.
Based on what you’ve seen so far, what do you think is our best starting XI, and why?
DM: Unusually for West Ham we have a lot of options. Areola, Kilman, Wan Bissaka, Paqueta, Alvarez, Kudus and Bowen should start every game if they are fit. The other four slots should rotate according to the opponents. Against the top four sides, I think Coufal and Rodriguez get the nod ahead of Emerson and Soler. Soucek is a real conundrum as his aerial stats are superb but our link play stutters when he is part of the chain. Mavropanos has looked very solid, but Todibo is class if he can adapt to the Premier League. Either are decent options. I think Antonio still has a battering ram role, but Fullkrug should usurp him from the starting line up as his link play and finishing is better. Summerville can be our supersub replacement for Bowen and Kudus.
MW: I think David and I have been chatting in the pub too long as I have to agree with him on Areola, Kilman, Wan Bissaka, Paqueta, Alvarez, Kudus and Bowen. I would add to that group Summerville, Fullkrug and Todibo. That leaves me with Coufal for the last place. Unlike David I’m not a fan of Mavropanos or Antonio though.
PB: Much as I love him, I’m not sure how Coufal is still getting in David and Meirion’s starting line-ups. For me it’s Areola, AWB, Todibo, Kilman, Emerson, Alvarez, Rodriguez, Paquetá, Bowen, Kudus, Füllkrug. But the other guys are right that rotation is key to a good season and a starting line-up should never be set in stone.
DB: I agree with a number of the names that the others have suggested. I think the biggest headache for me is who to partner at the back with Kilman. Mavropanos always makes at least one potentially catastrophic mistake a game but I feel like Todibo isn’t quite where we need him to be yet. For me, Antonio still gets a place while Fullkrug gets up to speed with the league.
We play three other London sides in September. Of all the London clubs in the Premier League, rank them in order of those you like least?
DM: I’ve come to hate them all but in terms of who I like to beat most it’s Spurs, Chelsea, Arsenal, Palace, Fulham. Can I add a special mention for Everton who have been my fantasy relegation selection for many years. I am truly relishing their current predicament.
MW: Spurs has to be first, closely followed by Arsenal and then Chelsea. As for Fulham and Palace, it’s a toss up. I guess Fulham just get the nod based on history more than anything else and I’m not talking about them taking our greatest player Bobby Moore. It’s more to do with them being one of a few to charge over £50 for an away ticket before they were capped. I also still haven’t forgiven them for the statue at their ground of that great football hero Michael Jackson.
PB: Arsenal are beginning to compete with Spurs for most hated. In fact I’m going to put Spurs second just so they still don’t win anything. Arsenal, Spurs, Chelsea, Palace, and Fulham. My dad’s a south Londoner and I grew up going to Craven Cottage as well as Upton Park so will always have a soft spot for them, except perhaps when beating us 5-0.
DB: For me, it’s Spurs, Chelsea and Arsenal but like Paul says, I feel like Arsenal are possibly close behind if not equal with Spurs, just because of how they behave under Arteta. I think I hated Chelsea more when they won’t as much of a joke. I was on the books at Fulham growing up so I’ve always had a soft spot for them, and I’m always glad all over when our games against Palace are over. But despite hating their post-goal song, I’ve got a lot of respect for them.
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