With the Premier League opener against Manchester City firmly in the past, West Ham United now look ahead to Saturday’s clash against Brighton & Hove Albion at the AMEX Stadium.
West Ham haven’t beaten the Seagulls in their last four meetings, and the hosts kicked off their season with a 3-0 win at Watford, but supporters should be confident of Manuel Pellegrini’s side putting things right on the south coast.
I have, once again, been speaking with one of the club’s most popular social media pages, West Ham Central, in the second Q&A of the season to get the lowdown on what to expect from the Hammers this weekend.
How do you think the players will react after last weekend’s humiliation?
I think the players will have brushed it aside and focused on the game against Brighton, to be honest. Man City will most likely do that to a lot of teams this season, so it isn’t anything to dwell upon.
What do you personally want to see from West Ham this weekend?
I want to see effort levels raised to another level on Saturday. Going in for those one-on-ones without any fear, taking on our man with confidence, but also keeping the defence right and compact. As long as we don’t concede five again!
Who should be the man to step up and start as that lone striker, if Haller is injured?
Anyone but Javier Hernandez on his own… Albian Ajeti obviously deserves a shot at making his debut but I have a sneaky suspicion that it will be Michail Antonio.
Who would you pinpoint as Brighton’s main threat going into this one?
Neal Maupay is Brighton’s biggest danger man, I’d say. I wanted him all summer and was very shocked when he signed for Brighton, as I believe he is could’ve got better than them.
What are the largest strengths and weaknesses in this Brighton team that West Ham should look out for?
The pace in that team and their strikers getting in between our backline, for sure. They controlled Abdoulaye Doucoure and Etienne Capoue last week in the midfield, so our midfield players need to be at their best. Their defence is weak at best though, so we could capitalise on that with our very attacking players.
Give us a score prediction!
3-1 to West Ham. I don’t really have any reasoning as to why, but I am just optimistic (someone has to be!)… Ask me again at 3:20pm when we are 3-0 down, though!
