By Conor Hogan
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Following the last two Premier League gameweeks, there is renewed hope that West Ham might stay up this season.**
After the dreadful 2–1 loss to Nottingham Forest that left the Hammers seven points from safety, relegation to the Championship looked inevitable. However, Nuno Espírito Santo’s side have been in excellent form in recent weeks, picking up ten points from their last five games against sides such as Manchester United, Tottenham and Sunderland.
Even when they haven’t won, West Ham have looked sharp and competitive. However, they still find themselves in 18th place with 12 games to go.
Despite that, the Hammers’ recent form has closed the gap to 17th-placed Forest to just three points. West Ham’s relegation rivals have won just one of their last five league games, although they have also lost only once in that time.
Forest’s 0–0 draw with bottom side Wolves was an excellent result for Nuno’s team, who are now within touching distance of 17th spot. Only three points separate the sides and, if results go their way, West Ham could be level on points with their relegation rivals after their next league game.
West Ham face Burton Albion in the FA Cup on Saturday before taking on Bournemouth at the London Stadium the following weekend. Nottingham Forest face Liverpool at the City Ground in a fixture that will now have a new and interesting dynamic. Sean Dyche was dismissed after the draw with Wolves, meaning Forest will become the first side in Premier League history to have four different managers in one season.
While the direction currently seems unclear for Nuno’s former side, his current team are on an upward trajectory. Not only are they a mere three points from safety, but they are also just five points off 16th-placed Spurs and eight points behind 13th-placed Crystal Palace. Considering they were seven points adrift of 17th a month ago, Hammers fans are right to feel optimistic.
Of course, this does not guarantee West Ham will survive the drop this season – they still have to play Arsenal, Manchester City, Liverpool and Aston Villa again – but it feels like the ball is back in their court. Additionally, it looks as though Nuno’s side can nick points off anyone at the moment.
Safety is not secured, but the possibility of it has just grown a little stronger.