West Ham v Arsenal
I always remember former British Olympic cycling overlord Sir Dave Brailsford talking about marginal gains.
The premise was simple enough. Gain one percent here, another there, and eventually it all adds up to something significant enough to improve your chances of success.
After last weekend — where virtually everything that could go wrong for West Ham did go wrong — I’ve found myself slipping into a similar mindset.
Although, in truth, this feels less like marginal gains and more like clutching at straws.
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West Ham No Longer Control Their Own Fate
Unfortunately, that’s what happens when a football club allows its situation to drift beyond its own control.
At that point, you’re relying on outside influences and favours.
And there were two things yesterday which, however small, gave me a sliver of hope.
Chelsea Result Changes Tottenham Feeling
The first was Chelsea taking a point at Anfield.
That matters because Chelsea face Tottenham in the next round of fixtures and, based on recent performances, it had started to feel like Spurs were heading for a straightforward win.
In fairness, Liverpool were the better side, but Chelsea at least managed to halt a run of six consecutive defeats.
And psychologically, in my own mind at least, it’s shifted Tottenham versus Chelsea from “certain Spurs win” to something a little less predictable.
Team Points GD
Nottingham Forest 42 -2
Tottenham Hotspur 37 -9
West Ham United 36 -19
Manchester City Pile Pressure Back Onto Arsenal
The other result which slightly lifted me was Manchester City beating Brentford.
I’ve got little doubt Mikel Arteta and his players were watching that game closely.
And for large parts of it, Brentford looked capable of getting something.
At that stage, Arsenal would probably have been thinking a draw against West Ham might be enough, knowing they could still go on and win the title by taking maximum points from their final fixtures.
But as the game wore on, Pep Guardiola’s side eventually pulled away.
Suddenly, the pressure swung straight back onto Arsenal.
Now they need to beat West Ham.
Maybe It Means Nothing… But I’ll Take It
It’s only a subtle shift, but psychologically it matters.
Watching Manchester City pull away would not have been comfortable viewing for Arsenal, and it unquestionably ramps up the pressure heading into the London Stadium.
Am I clutching at straws? Quite possibly.
But right now, I’ll happily take any little marginal gain West Ham can get