Pundit: West Ham United must win v Crystal Palace to deliver on board promises of European football
We’re delighted to welcome former West Ham United striker Frank McAvennie as our exclusive columnist. Each week he’ll be giving his views on the biggest talking points at the London Stadium…
West Ham United must win against Crystal Palace if they want to continue to deliver on the board promises of European football at the London Stadium.
The Hammers have had a tough start to the Premier League season with seven defeats in 13 games so far, but they’ve won all six of their fixtures in the Europa Conference League group stages to progress to the next round.
But with European football the aim for the season despite the tough start, McAvennie believes that winning games against teams like Palace is a must considering the board promised European football at the London Stadium when the team moved from Upton Park.
“Palace have been doing alright,” he told West Ham Zone.
“Those are the games you’ve got to win. If you’ve got aspirations to get into the Champions League. You’re not going to get in the Champions League, but you can get into the top six and the Europa League.
“That’s what was promised at West Ham and they’re delivering now. I don’t know why it took so long, but you’ve got to be beating teams like Palace. Especially at home.
“There’s no way David will underestimate them, because they’ve been doing alright. It’ll be a good game because Vieira has got them playing with a bit of confidence and a bit of swagger.
“Hopefully everyone hits the ground running and he picks the right team that can go and beat them.”
West Ham have been in the running for Champions League places for the last two seasons but ultimately fell short, finishing in the Europa League places and then just outside them last season.
But their great run to the semi-finals last season showed what they’re capable of, and with great investment in the summer they are expecting more of the same this year.