An inconsistent West Ham United come to the City Ground on Saturday and they are not happy to play Nottingham Forest.
With an impressive defensive record, glowing reviews from pundits who had Forest pegged as relegation fodder, and a host of favourable statistics, it would appear that every team is apprehensive at the moment and not happy to play Nottingham Forest.
Big spenders should be careful what they wish for.
David Moyes said that the West Ham fans should be careful who they wish for when considering their managerial options, and that statement appears to be coming back to haunt them as they sit 13th in the league with four defeats in nine games.
Eleven points are not concerning for West Ham fans, especially as they beat Manchester United in their most recent Premier League outing, but it’s the kind of midtable mediocrity Hammers’ fans thought would exit their soulless stadium with David Moyes.
Four defeats, three wins and two draws are a little inconsistent for The Hammers. When you consider that two of the wins came against Manchester United who haven’t been great this season – Ten Haag has since been on his private jet back to Holland – and Ipswich Town, who are everyone’s favourite to be playing Championship football again next season, the fans are looking for a better return.
Besides their 2022 £50 million record transfer, Lucas Paqueta, West Ham have spent big over the past couple of seasons. In fact, they are so overwhelmed with big-money signings that they can afford to spend £30 million on James Ward-Prowse and loan him out to us.
With Wam-Bissaka (£15 million), Crysencio Summerville (£25 million), German international Füllkrug (£27 million); Brazilian winger, Guilherme, and £40 million for someone with a name like a science fiction assassin (Maximillian Kilman), West Ham have spent big for a team that currently lacks direction and identity.
Leicester were also not happy to play Nottingham Forest.
Steve Cooper and Leicester City were also not happy to play Nottingham Forest either as The Reds continued their excellent away form with a 3-1 win that looked efficient and comfortable.
With a trip to Ipswich on Saturday, I fear for Steve Cooper’s job. Following the 5-2 thrashing away to Manchester United in the cup, it makes me wonder where he will go after Leicester if he is shown the door this month.
I can only envisage Cooper in a similar championship role that saw him promote Forest, three seasons ago now. I think the lower leagues would prove to be a better fit for the former Forest boss who is clearly out of his depth in the Premier League.
Despite the lack of confidence meaning that West Ham are not happy to play Forest this weekend, I still think it will be a tough task for Forest.
As the aforementioned signings indicate, West Ham is an ambitious club with a strong side and they shouldn’t be underestimated. I’m not a fan of their current manager who could’ve easily ended up at Forest, but the pool of talent can still turn a game around.
Forest haven’t been at their best at home, Ward-Prowse is unable to play in this game, and there are further injury doubts – including Elliot Anderson, Morgan Gibbs-White and a prolific Chris Wood who left the field with an ice pack around his foot – which leaves me to believe that the game will be a lot tighter than the second half at Leicester.
Although Forest should’ve finished the Leicester game with at least five goals in the bag, West Ham won’t make as many errors at the back, and the game will probably be more tense with a single goal making all the difference.
Considering that they are not happy to play Nottingham Forest, I think West Ham would take a draw. With difficult games ahead for Forest, I’d like to see us take all three points and get 20 points on the board before facing Arsenal after the next international break.
Tree Seasons prediction – Forest 2-West Ham United 1 – COYR!
