As the Irons were 'going through the motions' as they played out the remaining minutes of their 2-0 defeat by Tottenham, apart from brushing off old copies of the A-Z for directions to obscure grounds that may well have to be visited, discussion at the Org was swiftly moving on to the inevitable media fall out that would follow.
Tottenham: Lloris, Aurier, Sanchez, Dier, Davies, Sissoko, Dele Alli, Lo Celso, Moura, Son Heung-Min, Kane Subs: Gazzaniga, Alderweireld, Vertonghen, Winks, Lamela, Sessegnon, Bergwijn, Ndombele, Fernandes
West Ham: Fabianski, Fredericks, Balbuena, Diop, Cresswell, Soucek, Rice, Noble, Antonio, Bowen, Fornals Subs: Randolph, Yarmolenko, Anderson, Lanzini, Wilshere, Ogbonna, Ajeti, Silva, Johnson
Ahead of project restart, positive messages were emanating from the London Stadium regarding David Moyes' much vaunted squad overhaul, with particular attention devoted to signing young, fit and hungry players. The arrival of Jarrred Bowen on deadline day was hoped to be a portent for the future, alas that was not to be, as Covid-19 reared it's ugly head and the game as we knew it ceased to exist.
Calamitous, catastrophic and several other 'C' words could best describe West Ham United's season so far, in the eyes of fans and observers it seems almost inconceivable that such an expensively assembled squad of players could possibly be involved in a relegation dog fight.
We have previously collaborated with Tottenham site Spursforlife.com and are pleased to hear some views from the other side! Just because they are rival London supporters, doesn't mean they don't feel equally passionate about the team they support. Sometimes it can be beneficial to see the view from afar, because it can be difficult to see the forest for the trees!
In the recent friendly against Crystal Palace, it was reported that Jack Wilshere looked concerned about his groin although luckily he avoided an injury, but he is certainly no stranger to the treatment room. Throughout his career, he has been blighted by injuries, after his first impressive full season with Arsenal back in 2010/2011. That season he made 35 appearances in the Premier League and looked destined for greatness. Arsenal were keen to ensure he would be staying at the club for as long as possible, knowing that they had a real talent on their hands.
West Ham: Fabianski, Ngakia, Diop, Rice, Cresswell, Soucek, Noble, Bowen, Fornals, Anderson, Antonio. Subs: Randolph, Balbuena, Yarmolenko, Lanzini, Wilshere, Fredericks, Ajeti, Silva, Johnson
Wolves: Rui Patricio, Doherty, Boly, Coady, Saiss, Jonny, Dendoncker, Moutinho, Neves, Jota, Jimenez. Subs: Ruddy, Jordao, Neto, Prodence, Gibbs-White, Vinagre, Traore, Kilman, Buur.
It has been over 100 days, but the anxieties of supporting West Ham United will be flooding back for most fans as they anticipate the club's return to playing Barclays Premier League football, despite some strange new hair styles the players remain the same, only they are mostly fully fit. The term fully fit and West Ham United is a bit of an anathema especially when looking back at the list of the 'perpetually injured' players that the club have signed, all the way back to Kieron Dyer (remember him?) and beyond.
Watching The Great Barclays Premier League 'operation restart' will have been a strange experience for many, the lack of a crowd being the obvious change. Around the Country clubs are adjusting to the new normal and researching ways to enhance the viewing spectacle, sadly Dame Vera Lynn has just passed away, mind you at the ripe old age of 103 Gob bless her. Dame Vera was born in East Ham and was an avid Hammers fan, she was known to attend matches, often incognito, on a regular basis in her younger years.
. The Barclays Premier League resurrected itself with yesterday's contribution to football, a nation deprived of their favourite sport sat down collectively to watch what was on offer, and it is fair to say the viewing experience wil take some getting used to! Arsenal were swept aside by Manchester City no doubt aided by David Luis' decision to take an early bath with his recklessness.