West Ham could be the Premier League side which comes up on rails after major blows for Newcastle and Wolves.
The fact West Ham had another weekend off is symptomatic of their dismal season.
While Newcastle United and Wolverhampton Wanderers were in FA Cup action, the Hammers – out of both domestic cups in the third round – were given ‘family time’ by Graham Potter.
It is a very different approach compared to Potter’s disastrous predecessor Julen Lopetegui who has been accused of over-working West Ham’s players during his ill-fated tenure.
Potter has been praised for his man management.
West Ham to make late march
He has certainly got a response with West Ham managing back-to-back Premier League wins for the first time in a year.
Victories over Arsenal and Leicester have seen West Ham rise up a place and it could be many more soon.
Newcastle and Wolves are two of West Ham’s next three Premier League opponents.
With no Europe, out of both cups and with no threat of relegation down in 15th place in the table, West Ham’s season looked all but over.
The Hammers could yet salvage something of the strange campaign, though.
Because the stars are aligning for Potter to make a late West Ham push as Newcastle and Wolves are rocked by big blows.
Stars align for Potter as Newcastle and Wolves rocked by blows
Qualifying for Europe looks highly unlikely unless the Irons win most of their remaining games.
But a top half finish is definitely achievable and potentially very imporant.
Not only for the extra cash – as much as £15m – it would bring in. But also for West Ham’s standing in being able to attract players in the summer.
West Ham welcome Eddie Howe’s Newcastle to the London Stadium next.
The game has been ridiculously moved to next Monday night, meaning the Hammers will have gone 12 days without a game before playing two in five.
Newcastle’s form has been very erratic as they fight to try and stay in the top six.
The Magpies were knocked out of the FA Cup at home by Brighton on Sunday and have won just one of their last four games.
Now Howe has been hit by a double blow ahead of the game at West Ham.
Newcastle stars Gordon and Isak to miss Hammers clash
Newcastle look set to be without arguably their two star players, Anthony Gordon and Aleksander Isak at West Ham.
Gordon was sent off for pushing Jan Paul van Hecke in the head during Newcastle’s cup exit to Brighton.
It was similar to what happened the initial incident which saw West Ham’s Mohammed Kudus sent off at Spurs after a clash with Micky van de Ven. So it should not be overturned.
Isak was then taken off after pulling up with severe tightness in what proved a costly game for the Magpies.
Howe has since admitted he may need to be careful with the Swedish sensation as he needs him available for Newcastle’s Carabao Cup final after the West Ham clash.
With Newcastle likely missing their two star attackers, West Ham will feel confident of winning at home.
Especially having already beaten Newcastle 2-0 away.
Wolves will be without Cunha for West Ham
That would make it three wins on the bounce for the Hammers going into a clash with former manager David Moyes’ Everton.
The Toffees have been excellent since Moyes’ arrival. But West Ham will fancy their chances.
After the international break, Potter then takes his side to lowly Wolves.
And they too will be missing their best player – Matheus Cunha.
The brilliant Brazilian striker scored another wonderful goal in Wolves’ FA Cup clash with Bournemouth at the weekend.
But he then saw red after a moment of madness, not too dissimilar to Kudus’ at Spurs.
Cunha will now be banned for three games, meaning he is out of the West Ham clash.
Having already been involved in a fracas against Ipswich, Cunha is expected to receive an extended ban in addition to the three games.
Beyond Cunha, Wolves have little to hurt West Ham.
This news really opens up the possibility of the Hammers making it five wins in a row.
Do that and Potter’s side will be on 42 points with eight games to go.
From there West Ham will have a very realistic hope of finishing in the top half.
Especially with games against Bournemouth, Southampton, Spurs and Forest all to come at home. And struggling Man United and Ipswich to face away in their remaining games.
The toughest matches in West Ham’s run-in look to be Liverpool and Brighton away.
Potter could be about to salvage the season and help the Hammers to a much more respectable finish.
And that will really pay off during the summer.
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