There are multiple reasons to be cheerful following West Ham’s victory over Newcastle United yesterday.
The outstanding performance of Freddie Potts — along with the overall functionality of the midfield — were huge positives for manager Nuno Espirito Santo. Add to that a noticeable improvement in team spirit and effort from a group of players who’d previously looked drained of fight and desire as relegation loomed, and it felt like a proper step in the right direction.
Of course, there’s still a long way to go. If West Ham fail to beat Burnley on Saturday, we’ll be right back where we started.
Most Read on West Ham News
Momentum Matters Most
Still, this mini-resurgence has at least put the club back in touch with other struggling Premier League sides, just when it looked as if we might be cut adrift. That alone could prove crucial heading into the January transfer window.
Put bluntly, the Hammers must not be out of touch when the market opens. Performances like the one at the London Stadium will make it far easier for Nuno Espirito Santo to attract new players in key positions.
Nuno needs to keep the ‘wins’ coming to ensure West Ham can attract decent players in January
Neither players nor agents want to deal with a club that looks doomed for relegation, but if West Ham can continue to play with energy, structure, and a bit of swagger, recruitment becomes a far more appealing prospect.
It won’t be easy — too many winnable games have already been lost. But with Burnley up next before another international break and tougher fixtures to follow, Saturday’s game is huge.
If the win over Eddie Howe’s Newcastle taught us anything, it’s that with the right selection, motivation, and belief, West Ham still have that wonderful knack of winning games most people expect us to lose