Why this is the biggest weekend of West Ham’s season in unexpected survival battle which could be at a real crossroads.
You’re only as good as your last game, we’re only focusing on the next game, the biggest game is always the next game, one game at a time, every game is a cup final.
They are just some of the football cliches bandied around by players and managers.
Well the reality for West Ham is that this weekend really could be as big as it gets all season.
West Ham find themselves right in the thick of one of the tightest Premier League relegation battles for years.
But what had looked to be a tussle between eight or nine sides has started to look more like three from six in recent weeks.
While West Ham have recorded draws against Newcastle and Chelsea which look good on paper, their rivals have being pulling off unexpected results and picking up form.
The likes of Leicester have pulled away with superb back-to-back wins and eight goals to boot.
Wolves too are starting to string together wins and beat Liverpool last week. Even Nottingham Forest – tipped by most to drop – have given themselves a six-point cushion and some breathing space from the relegation zone.
So this is the biggest weekend of West Ham’s season in unexpected survival battle.
Why this is the biggest weekend of West Ham’s season in unexpected survival battle
From West Ham’s point of view a trip to Spurs won’t be easy but the hosts have a number of key players out injured and have lost their last two games.
Tottenham have also had a Champions League last 16 game in midweek in Italy and will have the second leg in their minds when they play West Ham on Sunday.
The Hammers simply have to start getting some wins under their belts with just 16 games to go having recorded a pathetic five all season long.
But it is what is happening elsewhere that could make this a real fork in the road weekend for West Ham.
Four of the bottom six are playing against each other before West Ham’s trip to Spurs and the other – managerless Southampton – are facing a seriously tough trip to improving Chelsea.
Everton play Leeds while Wolves face Bournemouth guaranteeing points for at least two if not all four of West Ham’s relegation rivals.
If Everton or Leeds win and Bournemouth beat Wolves then West Ham will go into the Spurs game back in the bottom three.
A Wolves win would start to make it look like three from five at the bottom.
If ever there was a time for West Ham to beat their old rivals Spurs it is this weekend. Because it could be the victory which – depending on those results elsewhere – alleviates that little bit of pressure at a crucial time.
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