Paul Merson shares West Ham relegation prediction after what Jeff Stelling said on Sky Sports News
Paul Merson believes West Ham United need at least four points from their three upcoming Premier League fixtures against Southampton, Newcastle and Fulham in their fight against relegation.
Wins for relegation rivals Crystal Palace and Bournemouth, as well as points for both Wolves and Nottingham Forest on Saturday (1 April) left David Moyes’ side in the doldrums of 19th position ahead of their crunch clash against the Saints on Sunday (2 April).
Speaking live on Sky Sports Soccer Saturday (1 April, 1:25pm), Jeff Stelling outlined the hectic schedule for the Hammers that sees them juggle their Europa Conference League commitments with domestic action.
He said: “They play Gent the Thursday before they play Arsenal on the Sunday and then they have Gent at home on the Thursday before they play Bournemouth on the Sunday.
“And theoretically, that could go to extra time or penalties, goodness knows what.”
“Yeh exactly, only time will tell,” Merson replied. “At the moment, it is a nice distraction, I think it just takes their mind off it [relegation].
“But I start to worry about West Ham. I’ve sat on here all season and said, ‘no chance West Ham, no chance West Ham’, but three games in six days, and I don’t care if you’re a top team in the league, but to win three games in six days is very, very difficult.
“Not easy games after Southampton. It’s Newcastle at home and then Fulham away,” Stelling added.
“Wow, yeh, they need four points from those three games, and then it’s Arsenal after that. If they beat Gent, you never know.
“I would be very, very surprised if they lost to Southampton. We were going through this not long ago, they had Forest at home, they were in a bad place and they brushed them aside with four [goals].
“I mean, this team can play, and I don’t think they should be where they are.”
Hectic
Moyes will have to bring all his years of managerial experience together for this crucial run of fixtures for West Ham United.
Playing three times in a week is hard enough, but then having to play on Thursdays followed by Sundays adds yet more obstacles for the Hammers boss to overcome.
Although the Europa Conference League may be a nice distraction for West Ham in the closing months of the season, it certainly will add more injuries and tiredness to the squad.
In tight relegation battles such as this year, one or two little niggles can make all the difference and be the difference between staying in the Premier League at the end of the season.
Moyes will be hoping this won’t be the case over the coming month, but he must shuffle his troops and trust his squad depth – something he has been reluctant to do for large portions of the season.