AND so the [Hammers](https://www.claretandhugh.info/aston-villa-v-west-ham-preview-team-news-predicted-line-ups/) now sit in eighteenth position for the next three weeks whilst the March internationals take centre stage -followed by the small matter of an FA cup quarter final against Leeds United. The benefit of producing a ‘morning after’ take on the game is that emotions have cooled, immediate ‘knee jerk’ reactions faded and possibly a more balanced opinion evolves.
Disappointing that a chance to overtake Tottenham has evaporated but a quick look at the up-and -coming fixtures still shows cause for modest optimism.
The next round of matches in the Premier League – when it gets going again for the ‘run in’ of the last seven rounds of games – commences with West Ham’s home fixture against Wolves on 10th April”. Tottenham face the tough away trip to Sunderland two days later.
Forest take on Aston Villa and Leeds head to Old Trafford: None easy but arguably West Ham have the most ‘winnable’ fixture of the four and so, on reflection, there’s another chance around the corner to close the gap or indeed overtake our nearest rivals: Spurs now look the closest target, sitting just a point ahead.
So whilst the Aston Villa loss yesterday was disappointing it doesn’t irrevocably damage West Ham’s chances of repeating the “Great Escape 2.0”.
With Crysencio Summerville likely to be fit and firing again in three weeks’ time, there’s definitely still all to play for.