West Ham’s recruitment this summer has been as impressive as any on show in the Premier League as Manuel Pellegrini has set about overhauling the playing style and squad in east London.
A mood of optimism has rightly returned to the club, but one man appears to have not got the memo, or willfully ignored it – Richard Keys.
Former Sky Sports and current BeIn Sports host Keys has taken to his own blog to make his predictions on who will be in trouble at the wrong end of the table come the end of the 2018/19 season.
Among his myriad predictions, Keys only touches on West Ham, but he is not at all optimistic about the prospects of an improved season, despite the impressive new manager and host of exciting arrivals.
“Despite the spending, West Ham might have another struggle on their hands,” wrote Keys.
After jumping the gun and getting very excited about Everton’s prospects of overtaking bitter rivals Liverpool after a summer of heavy investment this time last year, perhaps Keys is just trying to contain himself.
However, Keys is almost a parody of himself these days and seems so out of touch with modern football.
There is justified cause for optimism at West Ham after the summer’s activity. A return to the top half is a more than realistic target and it should be a straight fight with Everton to finish seventh.
The fact that Wolves are so hotly tipped to do well indicates how much scope there is to motor up the division with some healthy recruitment in the Premier League, and West Ham have a manager who has won it, in 2013/14.
Of course, there is no need to get overly excited, but Keys looks to have got this one wrong.
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