Alan Smith shares West Ham United Premier League relegation verdict for Sky Sports
Sky Sports pundit Alan Smith believes West Ham United have got more than enough quality to avoid relegation from the Premier League this season, despite their precarious league position.
The Hammers are currently sitting in 16th place – just two points above the relegation zone – but have kickstarted a mini-revival in recent weeks with a four-match unbeaten run in all competitions.
Speaking on the Essential Football podcast from Sky Sports, former England international Smith admitted he thought West Ham were going through a transitional season after making a wealth of signings last summer.
He said: “I’ve never really had any doubts about West Ham, it’s certainly not going to be a great season, but they’ve got enough, more than enough.
“They have spent a lot of money in the summer, and Paqueta hasn’t quite worked out. Scamacca has been in and out, and then he got injured, so that’s been unfortunate for West Ham.
“But I’ve got no fears of West Ham lingering down the bottom when it gets to April or May time.
“For West Ham fans, it’s frustrating after they finished high up [last season] and qualified for Europe, and now they’re looking below a bit worryingly – but I think it’s just going to be one of those transitional seasons for them.”
Fight for survival
West Ham United are definitely in the midst of a relegation dogfight with as many as seven sides, and the rising number of injuries hasn’t done Moyes any favours whatsoever.
After backing up the crucial 2-0 win against Everton with draws against Newcastle and Chelsea, the Hammers are clearly on the right track with their recent performances on the pitch.
However, they have been seriously derailed in the past fortnight with a string of ill-timed injuries to first-team regulars.
With the likes of Aaron Cresswell, Kurt Zouma and Gianluca Scamacca already sidelined, the double injury blow to Nayef Aguerd and Lucas Paqueta has left Moyes extremely short of options for the upcoming clash against Spurs on Sunday (19 February).
When Moyes has his full-strength side available, he clearly possesses a side capable of moving away from the relegation zone, but if injuries continue to strike at the London Stadium, it could be a closer call than Smith fears.