This weekend is a watershed moment for many teams in the Premier League, but none more so than West Ham United. After some difficult seasons, the Hammers have had a resurgence in recent times. They picked up four points from their final three games, during which they surrendered just two goals. Yet in their current guise, they radically depart from the past breathtaking magnificence of Upton Park. West Ham is in dire need of points! They now find themselves in 19th place on the league table, plagued by an 8-game winless streak at home.
The situation appears bleak for West Ham. Their current lengthiest winless run since relocating to the London Stadium continues. In truth they’ve won just two all season, on the road, there’s no hiding from a shocking 3-1 defeats at Nottingham Forest and Fulham that still seem to haunt them. With an average possession rate of just 38.7 percent, West Ham struggles to assert control over matches, leaving them vulnerable to opponents.
West Ham’s Struggles and New Leadership
West Ham’s alarming spell of form has prompted calls for David Moyes’ head from Hammers fans and pundits just the same. The team’s lack of winning momentum at home is particularly alarming, with eight consecutive Premier League games yielding no victories. The club’s predicament seems a far cry from the fiery ambiance that used to permeate Upton Park.
Nuno Espirito Santo was appointed to replace him. We’re bringing him new concepts and new tactics to reshape and revive the dead-on-the-vine team. The challenge ahead remains daunting. Our players need to be able to count on the fans rallying together to help them make the important plays needed to avoid relegation. The pressure mounts as they prepare to face teams like Brentford and Leeds, who have their own battles to contend with.
Brentford has shown itself to be a worthy adversary to say the least. During its five seasons playing in the top flight, it has never fallen below the relegation zone. This discrepancy sharply illustrates the difference in the two clubs’ fates. Similarly, on West Ham, they have a losing streak to snap. They need to discover an approach to score points against their strong rivals and improve their rankings.
Leeds and Burnley: Points on the Line
Leeds United can’t figure out their Jekyll and Hyde inconsistencies. Now, such maybe’s put them in a make or break spot after not picking up any needed points. Yet the team has had rather unsteady homecoming at Molineux. Six new foreign players have come over and are just starting to get acclimated. Leeds will need to start putting in far superior displays if they want to stay clear of the relegation zone.
Burnley are in the same boat as they visit Leeds ahead of their midweek matchup. The Clarets have been terrible on defense, surrendering a whopping 80% of their goals on the road. Considering Burnley’s place in the league table and their recent form, this clash is a proverbial six-pointer, an unequivocal must-win. Both teams know that dropping points at this stage, especially at home, could prove fatal as the campaign progresses.
Leeds and Burnley, with each match becoming increasingly critical. To remain in the premiership, they’ve got to confront their issues upfront. The urgency is real as each of those points may be critical in the battle for life or death.
Wolves at Rock Bottom
Wolverhampton Wanderers at the bottom of the Premier League table on no wins this season. Their position reflects ongoing struggles on the pitch and raises concerns about their ability to turn their fortunes around. The pressure to perform is palpable on the Richmond coaching staff and the players. They’re intent on leaving the npower Championship relegation zone as quickly as possible.
Just last week, Wolves witnessed their fantastic four-match undefeated run come to an abrupt halt against Manchester United. Now, they’re hoping for a second act. Wolves must be allowed to fulfill their potential. They still need to start picking up points in their next few slate of matches, particularly against the likes of Brentford.
With the weekend looming, teams around the league are intensely focused on what’s at risk. For West Ham and other clubs currently fighting for their lives against relegation, every game dramatically changes their chances of remaining in the Premier League.
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