West Ham United need to be ready for their nightmare 2022/23 term start
David Moyes and co need to be ready as West Ham United face a nightmare start to the 2022/23 Premier League season.
The Irons will undoubtedly be looking to build on the momentum gained in 2021/22 as they reached the semi-finals of the Europa League and made an excellent account of themselves on all fronts.
With their squad stretched rather thin in the last campaign, the London Stadium chiefs have a lot of work to do in the transfer market before they can even think about kicking a ball next term.
Although, the fixture schedule has been released [BBC] and it wasn’t an easy read for Hammers supporters.
The east Londoners face Premier League Champions Manchester City at home on the opening day – it literally could not get any harder than that.
However, West Ham did play against Pep Guardiola’s side in Mark Noble’s last home game of his long and illustrious spell with the Hammers and they made a very good account of themselves – drawing the game 2-2.
It would be amazing if they can pull something like that off again but the hardship certainly doesn’t end there.
After facing the Cityzens, the Irons fans face newly promoted Nottingham Forest away from home. Not only will they have a point to prove but The City Ground will be rocking as they celebrate their first home game back in the topflight in a long time.
Then they face Brighton at home, a team they haven’t beaten since 2012 and based on recent seasons that horrendous run will continue – the cockneys just can’t play against the Seagulls.
The fixture list doesn’t ease at all with a trip to the most historic grounds in the league, Villa Park. Steven Gerrard is putting together quite an impressive squad ahead of next season and if their transfer ambitions are even half-matched on the pitch, that will be a very difficult game.
Bitter rivals Tottenham Hotspur make the trip to the London Stadium next – those games are always rather intense and could go any way.
Before the opponents ease slightly, Moyes’ side will have to take on another London rival in Chelsea.
It will be an extremely difficult start but that is life in the Premier League.
In other West Ham news, a key West Ham man has humiliated himself with a series of off the mark rants
Be sure to follow West Ham Zone on Facebook for 24/7 updates on the Hammers plus more exclusive interviews with Frank McAvennie.