With the transfer window come and gone, West Ham began it's title hunt with a win over Blackburn

EPL Results to date:

08/18/18 : 3 - 1 win @ Blackburn
08/18/18 : 4 - 1 win vs. Chelsea
09/01/18 : 3 - 0 win @ Southampton
09/15/18 : 2 - 0 win vs. Everton
09/22/18 : 1 - 1 draw @ Arsenal
09/30/18 : 2 - 2 draw vs. Stoke City
10/06/18 : 0 - 2 loss @ Manchester United

Capital One Cup Results:

09/26/18 : 0 - 1 loss vs. Stoke City

Review:

While it was a great start for Dylan Barrons' West Ham, they seem to have lost their form from rotating two main squads. A big issue in the past few games has been conceding late goals. With Ciaran Clark and Daniele Rugani not showing their greatest form, and Damon Massey and Haris Radetinac still perfecting their craft at right back, lots of defending has been left up to left back Luke Humphreys and the CDM combonation of Will Akinde and Koikili Adan Garrido. This formula worked for a bit, but now with Koikili injured for 2 months with a broken elbow, it will be important for Pavle Lazovic, a converted CDM and youngsters Paul Cadamarteri and Jonathan Speas to show some good form while the back four is sorted. Word is young Jake Scott will be getting a few more appearances after some impressive performances so far this season.

At midfield, Fransisco Prats Bastidas continues to show off his terrific ability and has 2 goals and 2 assists in his 8 matches this season. Jordan Webster and Craig Morris have outshone their opposing duo of Federico Vazquez and Alexander Konrad. Lazovic, Alexander Jaakkola and Danny Griffiths have not lived up to expectations yet, and have only played a few games each. The biggest revelation so far though, has been 20 year old central midfielder Christian Heimeroth. While not exactly dominating play, he has produced flashes of brilliance in his first chance at EPL experience. The youngster from Germany looks to be a mainstay on the team this year, and will likely get lots of first team action as long as his form stays consistent.

The striking core of West Ham has had a bit of controversy to start the season, but the kind that makes a manager smile. Andrea Martinetti has come prepared, like expected, and has 4 goals in 4 games, but one of his supposed back-ups, Bagasan Carrington has also scored 4 goals in 4 games playing with the Aerial attack wingers of Vazquez and Konrad. Not to be lost in the shuffle is Maic Kacaniklic, who has been unable to start so far due to the other two strikers, but has impressed in relief despite not scoring yet. With a $40,000,000 price tag, expect him to take the field soon.

Two other strikers have made impressive appearances. Adam Evans played a game in the EPL and his playmaking ability really showed itself in it, and Josh Kitson, their 22 year old sensation from their youth program, has a goal and assist in his only EPL game of the season. He did not impress as much in the Capital One Cup, but expect him to get more EPL starts as well. Finally comes Esteban Lanzini, the center forward who has led the team in scoring for two seasons. The 25 year old Argentinian returned from an offseason injury and has made 2 relief appearances but was disappointing in both. He'll definitely be getting some starts in soon, but rumours are already starting, saying that West Ham may cut him loose in order to help their back four out.

In summary, the team has been pretty good, especially compared to last season. Currently 2nd in EPL standings, they are just where they need to be after playing tough teams like Chelsea, Arsenal and Manchester United early on. They'll need to regain some form though, to keep pace with a rejuvenated Liverpool squad who look to bring back the glory days. In West Ham, the bubbles are flowing this season!

CURRENT EPL RECORD:

W - D - L
4 - 2 - 1

Capital One Cup:

Eliminated in Round 3

FA Cup:

N/A