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Ex-West Ham striker Teddy Sheringham says the Hammers should be prepared for “a long, hard season” in the Championship.

Many have backed Nuno Espirito Santo’s side to gain promotion back to the Premier League at the first time of asking, but Sheringham has warned against complacency in a division which is full of pitfalls:

“There’ll be ups and downs throughout the season; you don’t want to fall too far away from the pack early on. As a team that’s hopefully competing in the top half or the top four, you need to establish yourself up there, then you’re allowed to have a little blip.”

“If you’re down near the bottom and have a poor spell, the distance to the top becomes a very long way. But we’ve all seen over the years that a decent Championship side can put a real run of form together at any stage.”

“You string ten games together where you win nine and draw one, and suddenly you’ve come from nowhere. It’s a long, hard season and it’ll be no different for West Ham.”

West Ham have had a rocky start

A win, two draws and a defeat from the club’s first 4 games is certainly not the sort of form that will get the Hammers promoted.

However, considering the amount of disruption there has been with players being signed and sold over the past few weeks, it is not a surprise that Nuno’s men are struggling to find consistency.

Of course, it is hoped that things will begin to change now that the transfer window is closed and there is a (relatively) settled squad.

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Who will West Ham play this month?

The Irons take on Derby County at home on Saturday before a midweek trip to Bolton Wanderers. They then play host to Wrexham a week on Friday.

Following that game, there will be a break in league action for the Carabao Cup tie against Premier League opponents Fulham, before the last match before the international break against rivals Millwall at The Den.

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