Sunday’s Premier League clash between West Ham and Liverpool threatens to be one of the most miserable of the season, with both sides struggling.
The Reds have now lost nine of their last 12 games, with Wednesday’s 4-1 defeat at home to PSV Eindhoven a new low.
This weekend, Liverpool face a West Ham side who are uninspiring in their own right, sitting 17th in the table, despite some improvements under Nuno Espirito Santo.
With a big game approaching, we spoke to We Are West Ham‘s James Jones (@ByJamesJones) to hear about the Hammers and Liverpool’s woes, the key battles and more.
How happy are you with West Ham’s start to the season?
Not happy at all.
There was real hope that Graham Potter would be able to get this squad playing well after having a summer to bring in his own players, but it just never worked out.
Things have improved markedly since Nuno Espirito Santo replaced him in September, but there’s still loads to do before we can be happy again in east London.
What has Nuno changed tactically since coming in?
Mostly, Nuno has solidified our midfield, but that’s not before a disastrous two-game experiment with Tomas Soucek and Andy Irving partnered up in the middle.
We lost those games against Brentford and Leeds, which left us deep in trouble in the bottom three and all but resigned to relegation already.
But he’s since paired Mateus Fernandes and Freddie Potts together in midfield and we’ve been unbeaten with that partnership.
Nuno still has issues defensively, and it’s not ideal having to rely on Callum Wilson to score goals up front, but he has improved us overall.
Do you prefer him to Graham Potter?
Yes, completely.
Despite question marks over his decision-making at times, including the timing of some of his substitutions, he is already proving to be a huge upgrade on Potter.
Which three players have stood out most? Anyone struggled?
Potts is the standout, despite only coming into the starting XI over the last three games.
His tenacity and energy have transformed our midfield and it allows both Fernandes and Lucas Paqueta to get forward and be more creative.
Crysencio Summerville always poses a threat in attack and it’s only a matter of time before his electric performances on the left are rewarded with goals and assists.
Lastly, Wilson (whisper it quietly) might just be the striker to end the club’s decades-long striker curse with four goals in his first nine league appearances, most of which have been as a substitute.
If he can stay fit, there’s real hope that he will hit double figures this season.
If he achieves that, he’ll also find himself joining the Premier League’s 100-goal club, so he has a real incentive to remain fit and on form this season.
What’s the aim for the season now?
After the start we had, the aim now purely has to be to ensure we stay in the Premier League.
We’re more than good enough to do that, and putting together a good run of results will make sure we pull away from trouble.
Realistically, I think we’re headed for a bang average 13th-16th place finish this season.
What do you make of Liverpool’s shock collapse? Would you stick with Slot?
It’s absolutely bizarre, but the nature of that winning run at the beginning of the season was unconvincing and it did seem like nothing was sustainable about those performances.
It was either going to go one of two ways – turn those last-minute wins into more comfortable and convincing victories, or the luck runs out and the defeats start coming.
Unfortunately, it was the latter.
Still, I don’t see how sacking Arne Slot would achieve anything, not unless it gets even worse. Given what he achieved last season, I think he has earned the chance to turn things around.
Too many clubs pull the trigger at the first sign of trouble and that never proves to be a long-term fix.
It often leads to a dangerous spiral of sacking managers in quick succession before one eventually does well.
I’m still a big believer that managers need time and trust to get it right.
Where do you think the Reds will finish, as things stand?
I think at this stage, a top-four finish is still possible, but it will rely heavily on going on a serious winning run.
I hate to say it because it gives Arsenal the advantage, but I think the title is gone.
Looking ahead to Sunday, where will the key battles take place?
Midfield, for sure.
As I said above, Potts and Fernandes have transformed our midfield and we look more dangerous when in possession.
If we can gain a stronghold in the middle of the park, it will allow the likes of Paqueta, Bowen, Wilson and Summerville to thrive in the final third.
Finally, what’s your prediction?
Given Liverpool’s current form, it really does feel like you’re primed for giving someone a spanking any time soon.
I really fear that could come this weekend, but considering our current form, it wouldn’t surprise me if we managed to get a result.
We’re scoring goals but can’t keep a clean sheet, so I’m going to predict a 2-2 draw.
I’d take that right now, too.