With only a third of the current campaign still to play, David Moyes and West Ham have shown that last season was not a fluke. The Irons finished sixth in the table after flirting with the Champions League places and booked themselves a group stage berth in this season’s Europa League.
It was about this time last year that West Ham first broke into the top four and they are repeating that in 2022. Most of the best betting sites still think it is a bit of a stretch to predict the Hammers making it to the Champions League. But could this be the year?
Top Four Finish?
The Hammers might only have sneaked into the fifth round of the FA Cup by the skin of their teeth – and then struggled to beat woeful Watford – but there is talk, once again, of a crack at the top four this year. With Manchester City, Liverpool and Chelsea looking to have the top three spots sewn up, that leaves just one more Champions League berth open.
Although it would take a monumental effort to qualify for Europe’s premier club competition, it looks as though the other teams in the running are Manchester United, Arsenal and Spurs. None of those three have been overwhelmingly impressive this season – so there isn’t really a decent argument as to why West Ham can’t go all the way.
Is Europa League Qualification Good Enough?
If the Irons do just fall short it would probably mean another season in the Europa League. That is assuming that they don’t go and win that competition this season and qualify for the Champions League automatically, of course. The club has looked very good in the opening phase and will fear no one in the round of 16.
But we shouldn’t get too bothered about not making the Champions League quite yet. Not finishing in the top four might hasten the departure of Declan Rice, but we have to realize that this club has hardly made a dent in Europe since winning the Cup Winners’ Cup in 1965 and should probably be grateful for the chance to play in the second tier competition.
Who Stands in West Ham’s Way?
As we mentioned earlier, Manchester United, Arsenal and Spurs look like the clubs standing in the way of a top four finish. Leicester City look a shadow of the team it was last season and it doesn’t seem as though there are any of the other ‘middling’ sides in the Premier League set to make the leap into contention.
Manchester United still seems to be struggling to regain its identity as a team to be scared of – and the arrival of Ralf Rangnick hasn’t been able to change that. Antonio Conte has improved Tottenham – but there is always a fragility there – and Arsenal are far too inconsistent to make the top four this season.
Which Players Need to Perform?
It goes without saying that West Ham need Declan Rice to stay fit and healthy and lead the team for the rest of the season. The cup tie against lowly Kidderminster Harriers was a perfect case on point. The Hammers looked listless before his introduction – and it was his goal that kept the club in the cup.
Jarrod Bowen is another player that needs to continue to worry Premier League defences. If Michail Antonio can also stay injury free, then there is a forward line that should be able to trouble just about anyone. Fewer goals conceded at the back would be a good start as well though.
Can West Ham Succeed in Europe This Season?
West Ham lost just one game in the Europa League group stage – to Dinamo Zagreb on the final match day when progress to the round of 16 was already assured. There are some very good sides still left in the competition but this might be the best way of qualifying for next season’s Champions League.
But, with such a stretched squad, it might be that there is not enough to go around to go for a top four finish and win the Europa League. David Moyes will have to decide between the two – and that choice will determine how the rest of this season will go.
Photo by Unsplash
