Focussing on the games yet to come, [West Ham](https://www.claretandhugh.info/nunos-frank-judgement-on-avoiding-the-drop-west-ham-news/), we are told, need to find another six wins if they are to bring about the _Great Escape II_ and overhaul their nearest rivals Nottingham Forest who currently sit three points above the Hammers.
However there’s an ‘interesting’ – from a West Ham perspective – crisis brewing at the Tricky Trees’ HQ which could yet come to haunt Sean Dyche’s team in the seeming two-horse race which is developing.
Today’s [inews.co.uk](https://inews.co.uk/sport/football/the-score-arsenal-west-ham-aston-villa-4208621?ITO=newsnow) highlights the issue succinctly in their article:
_“..There is also a defensive crisis here and it has been caused by Forest’s poor recruitment. They have spent around £300m on new players since June 2024 and, judging by Friday night, their first three reserve defenders are Morato, Zach Abbott and Luca Netz. Which is mad._
So, it seems West Ham are not the only side in the Premier League who have blown millions on unsuitable talent. The article continues:
_West Ham are below Forest in the table and their backup defence is Kyle Walker-Peters, Maximilian Kilman, Axel Disasi and either Malick Diouf or Ollie Scarles. I know which I would rather have and it leaves Forest desperate for their first-choice defence to be fit.”_
Which, whilst it won’t likely help West Ham close the gap this week with Forest taking on bottom side Wolves whilst the Hammers have visitors Manchester United to cope with, it could well impact Forest’s ability to maintain their points gap as the season winds down and the tension ratchets up. Any straw to clutch at.