The bubbles continue to rise as West Ham's season approaches its climax

The final verdict on West Ham’s season will be dependent to a large extent on what happens in the final of the European Conference League against Fiorentina on 7 June. The demands of the European campaign took its toll on West Ham in the Premier League. There will have been no less than 15 games in the Europa Conference, 14 up to the final. Their form in Europe has been impressive winning 13 games and drawing the other. The relentless European fixtures, though, had an impact on domestic form. The season started with much optimism. The club had spent more than £160 million bringing in seven new players. They all looked good quality. However, things took time to settle. Unlike, in previous seasons, when all the business was done early, this time the signings came in pretty late in the transfer window. Moyes declared he was building a new team. One wonders how well this declaration went down in the dressing room, with those who had laboured hard for the past three seasons to stay up, then gain successive 6th and 7th finishes in the Premier League and a Europa League semi-final last year. Early results did not go well, losing the first three games (two at home) before scraping a win at Aston Villa. The club were also dogged with some pretty diabolical VAR decisions, particularly to disallow a good Maxwel Cornet goal against Chelsea in September. This cost West Ham a point. Things though seemed to pick up through October with some good home wins. However, all seemed undone in the week before the break for the World Cup. Three home games that Moyes must have expected to win, against Crystal Palace and Leicester in the Premier League and Blackburn in the Caraboa Cup, resulted in three defeats. This bad run was then compounded, when the season resumed post World Cup, with difficult (and losing) games against Arsenal, Brentford and Wolves. It was at this time that the calls for the sacking of Moyes became loudest. To the credit of the West Ham board they stuck by their man – a decision that was vindicated in the end. The new signings were something of a mixed bag. Pick of the bunch was Brazilian Luis Paqueta, who after taking some time to settle, produced some fantastic displays, particularly in the run in. The tricks and flicks combined with a real work ethic, excited the home faithful, bringing back memories of the diminutive Dimitri Payet. Moroccan, Nayef Aguerd, also showed what a good player he is, when finally getting into the team, following an injury plagued start. Among the others German Thilo Kehrer proved reliable as a utility player operating across the back four. Brazilian Emerson Palmieri showed flashes of attacking dash but lacked consistency. Midfielder, Flynn Downes, had limited opportunities and remains a work in progress. The most disappointing signing was Gianluca Scamacca, who showed flashes of brilliance but seemed a bit lacking on the work ethic side. His heart often did not seem to be at the London Stadium. Scamacca is expected to move on in the summer. Ageing and slowing Danny Ings was bought in January to address the striking problems but did not set the pulses raising. Indeed, his most positive contribution may have been in getting Michail Antonio’s pulse going a bit quicker resulting in the big striker coming back strongly at the end of the season, after some indifferent form earlier on. Not enough was seen of Maxwell Cornet due to an injury prone season. So the new signings were variables. What will concern West Ham fans is that the fundamental weaknesses at full back and up front remain unresolved. Nor has the dependable centre back Craig Dawson been replaced. Moyes will be looking to address these areas in the summer. Though, he may look more to the excellent youth team that won the FA Youth Cup for the first time since 1999. Not so long ago, a FA Youth Cup winning side could be expected to provide three or four first team players. Competition, though, now is stiffer but the excellent Divin Mubama and Ollie Scarles have already made impressive appearances for the seniors. Mubama could well be the answer to the striking problems in the long term. Moyes must have earnt himself at least another season at the helm. His record is among the best. Some are not enamoured with his style of play, which does tend to be rather formulaic and direct. Players have to fit to the system, rather than the system being tweaked to accommodate a new player. Said Benrahma is one who could testify to the problems this can cause. Benrahma has come good this season, putting in several match winning performances but he took a lot of stick from Moyes before really making the breakthrough. The biggest question for Hammers fans ofcourse is will Declan Rice be leaving the club in the summer? The captain has once again been the outstanding player of the season, with some fantastic performances,. He has also led the club well. It is widely reported that Rice is set to go to a bigger club that competes regularly in the Champions League and wins things. Only, Manchester City though really match that ambition. So, if City don’t come calling and West Ham win the Europa Conference League, can the talismanic Rice be persuaded to play another season claret and blue – watch this space? If he goes, how can Rice be replaced – Flynn Downes, James Ward Prowse or Kalvin Phillips? A lot rests on that night in Prague against Fiorentina, with West Ham fans holding their collective breaths. Come on you Irons. published - morning star - 28/5/2023