Since our last issue, we beat Newcastle away, were hammered by Arsenal, battered Leicester and yet still lost, and then we had El Sackico. What can we take away from these games?
Dawud Marsh: After the Newcastle result I really thought we would kick on and start picking up some results but we just went back to this season’s poor performances. I really hoped we would show up for the Arsenal game and despite our two excellent goals, we were thrashed. The Leicester game showed why we need a new manager. It felt like the end for Lopetegui, but he survives for now.
Meirion Williams: All so frustrating. I didn’t see that Newcastle result coming. The Arsenal result, however, was predictable but what wasn’t predictable was the collapse happening in the first half. In the cold at the King Power Stadium, I thought we had a chance of winning it. Yes Vardy scored early on but then he seems to always score against us. What was disappointing was the fact that we could all see that Leicester just wanted to hit us on the break. Despite all the possession, we never really looked like winning. As for the Wolves game, I’ve got mixed emotions, I was hoping this would be Lopetegui’s last game in charge but he survives to fight another day.
David Meagher: This was always going to be a season of transition and probably underachievement. We are in the bottom half but a few results could pull us into mid-table obscurity and in fairness, there are plenty of sides more worthy of the drop than Lopetegui’s men. That said, it’s really hard to decipher what the game plan is. We have more possession but seem clueless in attack – lots of energy but little guile – and we are vulnerable at the back. We struggle to compete with stronger sides and are easily suckered by deep lying counter attacking sides. Maybe a few good results will inspire the team to show their true plan but I cannot see one at the moment.
Brighton and Southampton are coming up before we play title-chasing Liverpool and then travel to Man City. We then face Villa in the FA Cup and an in-form Fulham in the league, what are your hopes for this run of games?
DM: Not to get thrashed. Brighton are a very good team and a draw would be a good result for us. Southampton is winnable, and Liverpool are running away with the title at the moment so a draw would make me very happy. We have pulled a result out of the bag against the Reds before. I’m really hoping we beat Villa in the Cup and Fulham will be tough but again a draw is possible. City, we can beat them like other teams have – but they will probably take us apart.
MW: it’s difficult to predict which West Ham will turn up. With Antonio now out, we don’t have him to bully the defence of any team. It’s interesting that the Brighton game has yet to sell out. I’m guessing it’s either too close to Christmas or the fear of what normally happens when we play the south coast team. We should beat Southampton but I don’t expect much from the Villa game or indeed the game against Liverpool. As for Fulham, I think results prior to the game will dictate how we play and what results we get at that one.
DM: If we can get points from both Brighton and Southampton then we can go for it in the cup. Villa don’t look half as intimidating this season. Lopetegui needs to demonstrate that he has adapted to the Premier League by at least challenging in the games against Liverpool, Man City and Fulham – we simply have to have a clear plan against those types of sides.
Looking back at 2024, what have been your West Ham highs and lows? What have been our good, bad and ugly moments? How will this calendar year be remembered in our history?
DM: The whole way the Moyes in/out saga carried on left a really bad taste and made us look like a circus. It could have been handled so much better. Obviously being thrashed 0-6 by Arsenal at home has to be one of the worst games for quite some time. I sat through the whole thing. I think the thing that will stick out about this year for me is just how badly the club is run. The issues we have now have been a long time coming. It has to come to a head soon and something drastic has to change otherwise we will gradually struggle each season.
MW: I have to agree with Dawud regarding the running of this club. It’s that time of the year when those of a certain age will remember that Christmas TV always included Billy Smart Circus. Well this could be replaced this year by the West Ham circus as that’s the way I feel we are run. It looks like we are cursed in that, no matter what players we bring in or what manager is in charge, we always seem to be inconsistent. This last year has been no different. We buy players that look outstanding at other clubs and we seem to bring them down to the West Ham level. If something can go wrong, it will go wrong, and we always seem to be in the papers for the wrong reasons. I think the calendar year will be remembered for the West Ham way being one of inconsistencies and predictability.
DM: It’s hardly been the most inspiring of years. Moyes’ departure was dignified, which was good. My favourite moment was the recent 2-1 win that we thieved against Man United. Dalot’s spectacular miss caused the greatest level of laughter I have witnessed in the stands since Paolo Di Canio’s sulk in the 5-4 win over Bradford all those years ago. How we laughed. There have been too many lows that you just become numb to disappointment.
We’ve reached the halfway stage of the season; Who’s going to win the Premier League, get relegated, get promoted from the Championship and win the European trophies?
DM: Liverpool for the title this season – it’s theirs to lose. I think the three teams at the bottom will go down but it will be close for either Everton, Leicester City or Crystal Palace to drop down into the relegation zone. Leeds Utd to get promoted and either Sheffield, Burnley or Sunderland to join them from the Championship. I can see Liverpool winning the Champions League as well.
MW: I agree, it’s hard to look past Liverpool taking the title. I disagree about putting Everton for relegation. They always find ways to survive. So for me it has to be Ipswich, Leicester and Southampton with Wolves just doing enough to survive. As for who will come up, it could be a return for Sheffield United, Burnley, and one of the north east teams with Leeds imploding in the playoffs. As for Europe, I agree Liverpool could just do it.
DM: I think Man City are having more than just a wobble as Rodri is a massive loss and the ageing de Bruyne is a diminished force. Liverpool look hot but don’t rule out Arsenal and especially Chelsea. It’s great that the league is open again. Ipswich, Wolves and Southampton look likely to drop. All good clubs but simply below the required standard. As always, I dream of an Everton relegation but Dyche is a good manager and will drag them through. As for Europe, I have little interest in trying to decipher the ever-expanding labyrinth of fixtures apart from hoping Shamrock Rovers continue their tremendous run in the Conference League. Their away game at Chelsea later this month could be a hoot.
What’s the best and worst West Ham Christmas presents that you’ve received? Are you hoping that Father Christmas brings you something claret and blue this year?
DM: I was given a claret and blue Lego football, but it’s not real Lego and the pieces are tiny and it’s a nightmare to put together. I’ve started it and took it apart several times. It’s never going to get finished. Not a present as such, but I loved Boxing Day football at the Boleyn Ground. The atmosphere was always good and it was a brilliant way to blow away some festive cheer. Football wasn’t always good, but it was the atmosphere that made it worthwhile. Won’t be seeing Boxing Day football at the dome, that’s for sure.
MW: I once had a signed photo of the team but lost that years ago. I think it even had Bobby Moore’s signature so it’s a disaster that I no longer have it. I was also bought my first West Ham kit, but everybody at the time assumed it was Burnley. As for this Christmas, I’ve stopped buying anything from the shop due to my contempt for Brady and the board. I think they take enough money from us already without me paying them more.
DM: I don’t need to hope as I know Santa always relies upon my Hammersdom to select presents. As a result, I have an endless collection of mugs, hats, keyrings, model stadia, etc. I note that the club shop has stopped selling those excellent West Ham one-pound pens which has really upset me. Not only are they great for annoying mates who need a pen by making them use Hammers merchandise, they are bloody good pens too. I think it’s time to make representations to the club – the onfield circus is one thing, but this pen-crisis is totally unacceptable.
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