West Ham’s start to the new Premier League season is certainly not what the club will have hoped for, as the Hammers have lost all three of their opening three league matches and conceded ten goals in the process.
Slaven Bilic’s side did manage to beat Cheltenham Town in the second-round of the League Cup but the priority this season is certainly the league, where the Hammers have hopes of returning to European football. As it stands though, they have a lot of work to do.
The early season struggles have seen manager Slaven Bilic’s future come under scrutiny once again but, just like at the end of last season, the Hammers have decided to keep faith with their Croatian boss- but he’s still at major risk of losing his position.
West Ham now need an immediate turn around after the international break and face a crucial run of fixtures in September, which starts with the first home game of the season against Huddersfield Town- a side who’re yet to lose in their debut season in the Premier League.
The Hammers’ run of fixtures after the game against Huddersfield sees them come up against West Brom, Bolton in the League Cup, Tottenham Hotspur and Swansea City. None of those four matches will be easy and it will be a stern test of Slaven Bilic’s side.
West Ham will be eyeing at least six points from an available twelve from their four Premier League matches, as well as advancing through to the next round of the League Cup, and the tie against Swansea City in particular will be crucial.
The problem for West Ham is that Huddersfield, West Brom and Spurs have all enjoyed fine starts to the Premier League season, whilst Swansea have also been ok, and they could enter each of those matches as the underdogs.
Pressure will be on star-striker Javier Hernandez to lead the side to glory and Marko Arnautovic will also need to provide a more positive impact upon his return from suspension. Fortunately though, West Ham have plenty of top-class players waiting to return to the side so they should be able to see some immediate improvements.