Graham Potter faces an anxious wait over five key West Ham stars, desperate to avoid a fresh nightmare that could derail his revival ahead of Spurs.
Before the surprise 3-0 victory at Nottingham Forest last time out, Graham Potter was on the ropes and West Ham looked like relegation candidates.
What a difference a win and a couple of signings can make as things suddenly look a lot rosier in West Ham’s claret and blue garden.
Spurs come to east London against the backdrop of West Ham fan discontent towards the owners.
But the Hammers’ win at Forest, the biggest the Tricky Trees had suffered on home turf in 25 years, has breathed life and cautious optimism back into West Ham’s season.
The overall team performance, improved defending, a brilliant debut from Mateus Fernandes, Lucas Paqueta remaining a Hammer and Crysencio Summerville’s surprise return and game-changing came with a few of the highlights.
International break comes at a cost for West Ham
The manner of the goals were also impressive as West Ham looked like a competitive and dangerous team for the first time this season.
Suddenly Potter went from facing questions over his and the team’s future to spearheading a bright side in transition.
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After just six wins in 23 games since his arrival in January, it’s easy to see why Potter has faced some pressure.
But after an overhaul in the summer with 11 departures and seven arrivals, time will be needed to get this evolving West Ham side gelling fully.
There were positive signs of that at Forest and Spurs next will be a big test – and opportunity to get some serious momentum.
Niclas Fullkrug ahead of West Ham's first win of the season at Nottingham Forest
Photo by Andrew Kearns – CameraSport via Getty Images
Having intentionally trimmed down the size of his squad, though, Potter will know he needs as much luck as possible when it comes to injuries.
The club was hit by a frustrating blow when West Ham star Niclas Fullkrug suffered a new injury ahead of Germany’s game against Slovakia.
Fullkrug, who spent two thirds of his debut season out injured, returned to east London, missing Germany’s second game of the September break – a win over Callum Marshall’s Northern Ireland.
It was a case of deja vu for West Ham and Fullkrug as he was injured during last September’s international break, spending the next three months on the sidelines.
Fullkrug has a new calf issue.
West Ham have said they hope Fullkrug’s injury is ‘nothing too much’.
Potter faces anxious wait over five key West Ham stars
But he will likely be a doubt for the Spurs clash this weekend given the risk factors and Fullkrug’s injury history.
Now Potter faces an anxious wait over five key West Ham stars hoping to avoid a fresh nightmare.
Having potentially lost Fullkrug for a spell, all eyes now turn to West Ham’s other top players taking part in the remaining internationals.
And five who are arguably among their most important.
West Ham fans have long bemoaned the club’s injury curse.
So the prospect of two of their best players going directly head-to-head in an international match ahead of a huge Premier League derby against Spurs doesn’t bear thinking about.
But that’s exactly what is about to happen to Potter with El Hadji Malick Diouf and Aaron Wan-Bissaka marking one another when Senegal take on DR Congo.
Lucas Paqueta and El Hadji Malick Diouf after the Premier League Summer Series clash between Bournemouth and West Ham United
Photo by Rich von Biberstein/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
The World Cup qualifying match, which kicks off at 5pm UK time, will see Hammer of the Year Wan-Bissaka go up against his West Ham teammate, the exciting left-back Diouf.
Potter may find that a hard watch with the potential for an injury to either a frightening prospect.
Just as the Hammers boss emerges from behind the couch watching that clash – which both players will hopefully come through unscathed – he may check out Fernandes playing for Portugal’s Under 21s against Scotland at 7pm.
Fernandes is their star player and will undoubtedly start again after an assist in the previous game.
Fernandes has already showed how important he is going to be to West Ham. So Potter and fans will be keeping everything crossed that he comes through unscathed.
At half-time of that match, West Ham’s manager may want to check in and see if captain Jarrod Bowen gets a start for England in Serbia.
Hammers hoping to avoid fresh injury nightmare
Given how poor the Three Lions were against Andorra, there is every chance Bowen could – and perhaps should – get a start.
The atmosphere in Serbia will be hugely intimidating and England’s players will know they have been in a game as the hosts will be giving no half measures.
If Potter’s key quartet come through unscathed he may want to have a late night with one fundamental star to go.
Paqueta will likely start for Carlo Ancelotti’s Brazil as they take on Bolivia in World Cup qualifying at half past midnight UK time.
The Brazilian magnifico then faces a race against time to get back from Brazil to London and over any jet lag to be fit and ready for Spurs on Saturday afternoon.
Potter faces a nervous evening so let’s keep fingers and Hammers crossed that the fantastic five all come through without any issues.