A minor West Ham miracle has been spotted at Rush Green in the build-up to a behind-closed-doors clash Graham Potter has arranged against Watford.
Whisper it quietly but maybe, just maybe, West Ham’s luck is turning.
The Hammers started the season in disastrous fashion with a 3-0 defeat at newly-promoted Sunderland.
Things got even worse as Chelsea smashed their former boss Graham Potter and his team 5-1 at the London Stadium.
That was after Lucas Paqueta had the Irons dreaming as he scored a brilliant opener to put West Ham ahead.
The Hammers were out of luck as they found themselves 1-0 down in the Carabao Cup game that came next against Wolves.
A penalty rebounded off Alphonse Areola’s post straight to the edge of the box where an instinctive first-time finish somehow beat the Hammers ‘keeper at his near post.
Things are starting to look up for West Ham
Things were looking up when West Ham got themselves in front. But poor defending saw Potter’s side lose 3-2, making it 11 goals conceded in three games.
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A host of individual errors have blighted the club’s start to the new season.
But West Ham were revitalised by the signing and performance of new boy Mateus Fernandes as well as the return of Crysencio Summerville and the four at the back formation as they beat Forest 3-0 at the weekend.
With Paqueta pledging his future to the Hammers and the hapless Nayef Aguerd finally shipped out and replaced by a defender who actually looks to have something about him, things are looking up for West Ham.
Lucas Paqueta, Crysencio Summerville and Jarrod Bowen celebrate after Nottingham Forest v West Ham United - Premier League
Photo by Dan Istitene/Getty Images
There are still big holes in Potter’s squad which were not addressed as many hoped they would be on deadline day.
Pace is key in the Premier League, as Summerville proved when he came on to play a huge part in all three of West Ham’s goals.
The more pacy players the Hammers can have available, the better for their chances.
A number of West Ham players have been called up to play for their national teams during the international break.
Although Potter’s squad-thinning exercise over the summer, which he stated was necessary to foster the right environment and team spirit in east London, has reduced the number of players being called up.
With so many players left at home and no game until next Saturday, Potter has plenty of time to get his ideas across and put plans in place for Spurs – who have far more international players off representing their countries.
Minor West Ham miracle spotted at Rush Green
Now a minor West Ham miracle has been spotted at Rush Green ahead of a behind-closed-doors clash against Watford and that big derby vs Spurs.
The unexpected development comes at just the right time for Potter as he looks to fine-tune his side following the welcome kickstart to the season at Forest.
ExWHUemployee has reported that West Ham will play a behind-closed-doors friendly against Championship Watford on Friday.
The game will give Potter the chance to look at new signings Soungoutou Magassa and Igor Julio.
It will also give the likes of Summerville, Ollie Scarles, Freddie Potts and potentially George Earthy some vital minutes in the legs.
But perhaps the best news of all is that it seems West Ham’s rotten luck with injuries is changing.
Luis Guilherme shines for West Ham in their US Summer Series win over Everton
Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images
Hammers star Luis Guilherme arrived in east London last summer in a deal worth up to £25m from Palmeiras.
The Brazilian has endured a tough first year at West Ham, where he was clearly unfancied by former boss Julen Lopetegui.
Tim Steidten, the man who brought Guilherme to the club, insisted in a recent interview that he still believes the 19-year-old will come good for the Hammers.
Rapid Guilherme has had more game time under Potter and has impressed in a number of cameos.
The point has been made that if a West Ham academy player was putting in similar cameos at 18 and 19, the entire Premier League would be talking about them let alone West Ham fans.
Guilherme was one of West Ham’s best players in pre-season.
There was anger among fans when Guilherme was not named in the squad for the season opener at Sunderland.
But it turned out the Brazilian winger had suffered a broken collarbone in training.
Discussing Guilherme’s injury, Dr Rajpal Brar – a specialist in Physical Therapy and Sports Science – said the winger would be out until at least six-eight weeks, stretching well into October.
Medical marvel Guilherme back six weeks ahead of schedule
“He broke his collarbone in training and this is a bad one that will keep him out for a bit,” Brar told the website West Ham Zone.
“These injuries typically see players ruled out for up to six to eight weeks.
“I do not expect him to return before October and he will be lacking match sharpness then, so it may take longer for him to be back at 100 per cent.”
It seems Guilherme is a medical marvel because he is back in West Ham training ahead of the friendly clash with Watford and the big derby with Tottenham at the London Stadium.
That is a staggering SIX weeks ahead of the anticipated schedule.
The winger is seen smiling with compatriot Igor and joining in the full session as West Ham posted images from training on the club’s website.
His pace could be a real weapon for Potter and the Hammers this season. Especially off the bench.
Guilherme’s return comes at just the right time, giving him over a week to build his strength and fitness ahead of Tottenham.
What a massive shot in the arm for Potter and the squad.