West Ham: Areola, Wan-Bissaka, Diouf, Kilman, Todibo, Potts, Fernandes, Paqueta, Bowen (C), Summerville, Wilson
Subs: Hermansen, Walker-Peters, Igor, Guilherme, Rodriguez, Golambeckis, Magassa, Soucek, Irving

Burnley: Dubravka, Walker, Tuanzebe, Esteve, Hartman, Florentino, Cullen (C), Anthony, Ugochukwu, Flemming, Tchaouna
Subs: Weib, Bruun Larson, Foster, Edwards, Eldal, Pires, Broja, Hannibal, Laurent

The classic Christmas Premier League theory entails that if you’re in or lurking near the bottom three come Christmas time, you tend to be a goner.

If you take the previous two seasons and look at the table by Christmas, five of the six teams in the drop zone would get relegated, the only outlier being Wolves last season, who were on 12 points with 17 games played, Leicester who were two points above them, would fall victim to the drop.

As the Hammers defeated Newcastle 3-1 in a rather defensive style of fashion, you have to raise the question of what’s been different in comparison to the past few matches?

The defensive pairing didn’t change, and we were still forced to use Jean-Mare as well as Max Killjoy, yet still managed to get a result whilst also embarrassing Newcastle’s record signing of £68,500,000, keeping him the quietest anyone managed this season. Nick Wolte-Made in China must’ve turned up on the day!

The Hammers finally secure their second victory of the season through the definition of ‘Nuno-ball’.

Bowen belter of a strike clashed the post early doors and just a mere 26 seconds after, Newcastle would strike their only goal of the game, which primarily can be blamed upon Max Kilman by his wondrous adventures at the right-wing and hopes continued to worsen after Robert Jones dismissed our initially given penalty…one of his many fascinating calls this afternoon.

West Ham: Areola, Wan-Bissaka, Diouf, Kilman, Todibo, Potts, Fernandes, Paqueta, Bowen (C), Summerville, Wilson
Subs: Hermansen, Walker-Peters, Igor, Guilherme, Rodriguez, Mayers, Magassa, Soucek, Irving

Newcastle: Pope, Krafth , Thiaw, Burn, Botman, Tonali, Joelinton, Guimaraes (C), Gordon, Murphy, Woltemade
Subs: Ramsdale, Hall, Schar, Barnes, Osula, Elanga, Willock, Ramsey, Miley

Over this past week, it seems that the Hammers have decided to ruthlessly go through the youth players, offering contracts to those who deserve them and ignoring the ones who don’t.

It’s convenient how under Graham Potter, all were firm believers that he would involve the youth academy, and though it weren’t no golden generation but treasure was there to be found. However, after his Aston Villa opener, it quickly became apparent that his principles and values of utilising the youth went out of the window as quickly as he was booted out of the door at Rush Green.

As the clock ticks and time moves onwards, it finally appears after years and years that he who shall not be named up there has finally realised how poor Will Salthouse has been for us. Whilst he may bring an odd gem for the fans, for every gem, it’s at the expense of 10 different players or managers!

West Ham United were dealt yet another injury blow on Friday night; this time, youth prospect Ollie Scarles was the victim of an injury.

It’s thought to be a shoulder injury, but at this moment in time, it is currently unknown the severity.

Seeing as the Hammers will be without Malick Diouf and Wan-Bissaka due to AFCON, Sully & Nuno will only be left with KWP! In moments such as these, it’s time the club start to look for further reinforcements, considering the current circumstances.

Rob Green has vocalised his thoughts after the once again dismal performance against Leeds, as further worries start to kick in about where the Hammers will look to pick up points.

Rob, who was the pundit for Sky on Friday night, wasn’t afraid to comment on the truth whilst also sympathising and reiterating all of the fans’ worries at this moment in time.

David Croft has been the lead F1 commentator on Sky Sports since 2012, when the company obtained the Formula One rights. Since obtaining his role as a commentator, he has also made it known that he’s a massive West Ham fan.

He has been very vocal about West Ham over the past couple of years and has made numerous appearances on Podcasts and Interviews, speaking about the club as well as the good, the bad and the ugly.