West Ham United Premier League top 5 credentials questioned as ‘false narrative’ claim made
West Ham might not be in the hunt for a top five finish this season, according to Premier League journalist Alex Keble.
The East London outfit currently sit seventh in the league table, with the Hammers on 14 points from their eight matches so far.
But Keble believes the club have “ridden their luck” at times this season, and could struggle in their upcoming “gruelling” schedule.
“They have seven matches in a gruelling 22-day period after the international break, including two in the Europa League and an EFL Cup tie at home to Arsenal,” Keble wrote for the official Premier League website (16 October).
“West Ham have ridden their luck a little and their high league position partly reflects the fact they have already played (and beaten) both Sheffield United and Luton.
“Are West Ham really in the hunt for fifth, or have their first eight matches provided a false narrative? We will know by the middle of next month.”
Crucial period
West Ham have been impressive under David Moyes this season, much to the surprise of many onlookers who predicted the club to struggle after the sale of star man Declan Rice.
But summer signings James Ward-Prowse and Edson Alvarez have filled the gap he left perfectly, with Mohammed Kudus and Konstantinos Mavropanos bolstering the attack and defence respectively.
The East London club have picked up several impressive victories in the early stages of the new season, having defeated the likes of Brighton and Chelsea.
But things are going to get much harder for Moyes and his players given the extremely busy fixture list. Between now and the end of November, the London Stadium outfit will be tested in three different competitions, with the fixtures coming thick and fast.
It will be interesting to see how the man in the dugout approaches the various competitions, with fans undoubtedly wanting the strong league form to continue, as well as wanting another cup run like the one in last season’s Europa Conference League.
In other West Ham news, Moyes must seriously consider selecting one award-winning Hammers sensation after his rapid rise in recent times.