At this stage of the season, with so much at stake for West Ham, it’s practically impossible to watch other games without drawing conclusions about how results impact the Hammers’ survival chances.
Despite my best efforts, I spent the entire weekend trying to avoid our relegation rivals—but I’ve come to the conclusion I simply don’t have that level of control. Every twist, every goal from [Leeds United](https://www.claretandhugh.info/leeds-united-bio/), Tottenham Hotspur or [Nottingham Forest](https://www.claretandhugh.info/ward-prowse-stinker-helps-give-forest-relegation-breathing-space/) seems to shift the mood and reshape expectations.
That said, one thing remains constant. If Nuno Espírito Santo and his team take care of business themselves, nothing else really matters.
Nottingham Forest win looks big – but context tells a different story
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That brings us to Nottingham Forest’s 4-1 win against Burnley—a result which has many, including commentators, suggesting it could be enough to keep Vítor Pereira’s side up.
Personally, I’m not so sure.
Yes, Forest beat a very poor Burnley side, but the run-in ahead looks anything but straightforward. A trip to Sunderland is unlikely to be easy, and that’s followed by a Europa League semi-final first leg against Aston Villa.
From there, it’s Chelsea away, then straight back into the second leg in the Midlands just three days later. After that, they host Newcastle before facing Manchester United and Bournemouth.
Club
Fixture 1
Fixture 2
Fixture 3
Fixture 4
Fixture 5
**West Ham United**
West Ham vs Everton
Brentford vs West Ham
West Ham vs Arsenal
Newcastle vs West Ham
West Ham vs Leeds
**Leeds United**
Bournemouth vs Leeds
Leeds vs Burnley
Tottenham vs Leeds
Leeds vs Brighton
West Ham vs Leeds
**Tottenham Hotspur**
Wolves vs Tottenham
Aston Villa vs Tottenham
Tottenham vs Leeds
Chelsea vs Tottenham
Tottenham vs Everton
**Nottingham Forest**
Sunderland vs Forest
Chelsea vs Forest
Forest vs Newcastle
Man United vs Forest
Forest vs Bournemouth
_fixtures to follow West Ham v Palace_
Brutal fixture list and injury concerns could change everything
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You can argue there’s a win in there somewhere—and maybe there is—but it’s far from guaranteed.
West Ham know all too well what European football does to a squad. The travel, the intensity, the quick turnarounds—it takes its toll, no matter how exciting the occasion.
Add in a potential hamstring injury to arguably their most important defender, Murillo, and suddenly the narrative shifts slightly.
Talk of Nottingham Forest being safe might just be a bit premature—and that should give West Ham at least a glimmer of belief heading into the final stretch.