Towards the end of what has been an excellent season, where the team have played above and beyond expectations given the paucity of money spent, Hammers go into their final three games knowing that they still just about have control of their Premier League destiny.
Hindsight is a wonderful but one sided thing, with the benefit of hindsight Aaron Cresswell would never have become the repeat offender that he has ended up, following yet another straight red in a European Cup tie, only this time it has cost the club dear, very dear.
Frankfurt: Trapp, Ndicka, Hinteregger, Tuta, Knauff, Rode (c), Sow, Kostić, Kamada, Hauge, Borré Subs: Grahl (GK), Jakić, Hrustic, Lammers, Touré, Hasebe, Ache, Chandler, Da Costa, Lenz, Barkok, Paciência
West Ham: Areola, Coufal, Zouma, Dawson, Cresswell, Rice (c), Souček, Bowen, Lanzini, Fornals, Antonio Subs: Fabiański (GK), Randolph (GK); Diop, Alese, Johnson, Masuaku, Fredericks, Král, Noble, Vlašić, Benrahma, Yarmolenko
Just like waiting for busses, Hammers boss David Moyes has gone from only having one centre back properly available to THREE in the space of one game. As Hammers prepare for the crucial, what some say is a 'once in a lifeteime' clash' in the 2nd leg of the UEFA Europa League semi final against Eintrecht Franfurt, Moyes will be able to select his two centre back starters from Les 'Ballon' Dawson, Issa Diop and Zouma, the availability of all three will have come as a welcome fillip to the manager's plans ahead of the game.
Well Hammers season has come down to the pinning of hopes on overturning a 2-1 deficit against Frankfurt in Thursday evening's 2nd leg of the UEFA Europa League semi final. Pursuing glory on both domestic and European fronts has proved to be a bit too much for the Premier League's 2nd smallest squad.
Yesterday's capitulation to Arsenal was a clear illustration, by trying to ensure a couple of players didn't have to play the entire 90 minutes, David Moyes put out a team that was always going to be vulnerable against an attack minded side like the North Londoners.
West Ham: Fabianski, Coufal, Zouma, Cresswell, Fredericks, Noble (c), Rice, Fornals, Bowen, Benrahma, Lanzini. Subs: Areola (GK), Yarmolenko, Antonio, Vlasic, Diop, Masuaku, Soucek, Kral, Alese.
Arsenal: Ramsdale, Tomiyasu, Holding, Gabriel, Tavares, Elneny, Xhaka (c), Odegaard, Martinelli, Saka, Nketiah. Subs: Leno (GK), Lacazette, Smith Rowe, Cedric, Pepe, Lokonga, Kirk, Salah-Eddine, Swanson.
Hammers manager David Moyes has a bit of a selection conundrum to deal with for today's clash against London rivals Arsenal, with the 2nd leg of the Europa League semi final scheduled for Thursday evening Moyes has to make some big, big decisions.
There has been a 'media frenzy' regarding the unsavoury treatment handed out to a couple of German radio reporters during Hammers 2-1 loss to Eintracht Franfurt last night, the culprit(s) will be identified and punished as a result, as it should be. However those same eagle eyed observers were myopic in the least by NOT mentioning the antagonistic nature of the away 'Ultras' who had been causing trouble well before the game in the morning and afternoon ALL over London.
West Ham: Areola, Johnson, Dawson, Zouma, Cresswell, Rice (c), Souček, Lanzini, Bowen, Fornals, Antonio
Subs: Fabiański, Randolph, Coufal, Yarmolenko, Vlašić, Noble, Benrahma, Fredericks, Masuaku, Král, Alese, Chesters
Frankfurt: Trapp, Tuta, Hinteregger, Touré, Rode ©, Sow, Knauff, Lindstrøm, Kostić, Kamada, Borré
Subs: Grahl (GK), Horz (GK), Hrustic, Lammers, Hasebe, Ache, Chandler, Hauge, Da Costa, Lenz, Barkok, Gonçalo Paciência
It is about time Hammers fans received some GOOD NEWS regarding centre backs, first the Og 'did' his ACL, then Zouma got injured but recovered and then got injured again. Then Issa Diop, who was just starting to show the sort of form that earned him his 'monster' moniker courtesy of Jose Mourinho, managed to pick up a season ending ankle injury and finally Les 'Balon' Dawson got a straight red from 'Lord Olivier' in the rigged match against Chelsea which was paid for by Marcos Alonso, how else could he have stayed on the pitch?