Saturday's televised fixture against Watford in the Barclays Premier League represents an opportunity for West Ham United to erase the memory of "The match where it all went wrong". We of course refer to West Ham United versus Watford game at the London Stadium at the end of the summer, a chastening of a match that had started so unbelievably well yet ended in ignominy and despair. For thlrty odd minutes. odd being the operative word, West Ham played the best football seen in the claret& blue for at least thirty years, probably longer!

Thursday 22 February…’Nam….Dagenham……07:43…mild weather, the scent of spring teasing in the air as the icy clutches of winter slip away, a distant memory…

There are statistics and there are statistics, but whatever way you look at the numbers it is hard to conceal a 'serial' goal scorer, as they say form is temporary class is permanent! Therefore to any number crunching geek or punter who likes his 'stats', Jonathan Calleri looked like a smart loan signing from Boca Juniors, especially given his prolific rate of scoring top flight goals, but his impact at the London Stadium has been unexceptional.

The 2016/2017 Premier League campaign has been a mixed bag for West Ham United so far. The Hammers did not kick off their season in style, but they sit in tenth place in the table after 25 games and it remains to be seen whether they are capable of booking their place in European competitions.
Ups and downs

There is bad referring and bad refereeing but Michael Oliver really has put himself up for one of the worst referees that have 'adjudicated' at the London Stadium with his astonishing inept and possible bias against West Ham as he oversaw a catalogue of officials errors that included the allowing of a goal, however well took, that was clearly the result of a foul by a Baggies player, and the denial of a clear cut Feghouli goal that was mysteriously ruled off side, the situation aided and abetted by some spectacular dramatics by the well proven 'professionals' at the heart of the visitors de

West Ham:Randolph, Kouyate, Fonte, Reid, Cresswell, Feghouli, Noble, Obiang, Snodgrass, Antonio, Lanzini. Subs: Nordtveit, Adrian, Collins, Byram, Fletcher, Calleri, Fernandes.
West Bromwich: Foster, Nyom, Dawson, McAuley, Brunt, Fletcher, Livermore, Phillips, Morrison, Chadli, Rondon. Subs: Olsson, Robson-Kanu, Yacob, Evans, Marc Wilson, Myhill, McClean.

Since the move from the Boleyn Ground to the London Stadium there have been a few problems, most of which blown out of all proportion by media hounds and jealous supporters of other clubs less fortunate. The 'branding' of West Ham United London has been slick and efficient which is what is necessary to survive in the cut throat world of high end business supply, and whether you like it or not that is what the Barclays Premiership is all about now.

Southampton: Forster, Cedric, Stephens, Yoshida, Bertrand, Ward-Prowse, Romeu, Davis, Boufal, Gabbiadini, Rodriguez. Subs: Clasie, Gardos, Long, Redmond, Hojbjerg, Taylor, McQueen.
West Ham: Randolph, Kouyate, Reid, Fonte, Antonio, Obiang, Noble, Cresswell, Feghouli, Carroll, Snodgrass. Subs: Lanzini, Adrian, Collins, Fletcher, Calleri, Fernandes, Quina.

West Ham United have tried various systems during this less than remarkable season, some to good effect others not. It appears Slaven Billic will be forced in to playing three at the back due to the recurrence of a hamstring injury picked up by Sam Byram during the dreadful home defeat by Manchester City, a week ago this would have been very bad news indeed, however Cheik Kouyate having returned from the africa cup of nations is available, and not a moment too soon!

West Ham United: Randolph; Byram, Reid, Obiang, Cresswell; Noble, Fonte, Feghouli, Lanzini, Antonio; Carroll Subs: Adrian, Collins, Fletcher, Calleri, Fernandes, Snodgrass, Quina
Manchester City: Bravo, Zabaleta, Kompany, Kolarov, Clichy , Fernandinho, Sterling, De Bruyne , Silva, Sane, Aguero Subs: Caballero, Stones, others TBC ...