OPPOSITION VIEW: WHU

With Sunderland heading down to the London Stadium for Saturday's early kickoff, we spoke to the lads from West Ham News & Views to discuss the Hammers' disappointing season and whether they'll stay up or not.

18th in the league after 22 games, five points adrift... what's gone wrong this season for West Ham?

A LOT is probably the easiest way to explain it. Multiple years of poor transfer planning, lack of smart investments and poor managerial appointments have finally caught up with us. As a Sunderland fan I trust you’re aware of not being able to continue barely surviving in the Prem and expect to not go down eventually. Unfortunately this season could very well be it for us.

In your honest opinion, what is the likelihood of you guys staying up?

I believe we are not down and out just yet. A win at home this weekend, should Forest lose, would put us within two points. I don’t think all our players are bad either, just been mismanaged. Hopefully the win against Spurs will push us to continue fighting, however I’m also realistic that relegation is currently the most likely outcome.

What are your thoughts on Nuno Espirito Santo? Is his job in danger at all?

I keep going back forth with Nuno. Sometimes I think he sounds like the perfect manager for us, then other times I question his methods and tactics. The two games against Brentford & Leeds where instead of going full strength, he rotated heavily and played people out of position. They could be season-defining games if we go down. I’m still behind him, but a main reason is because I know our board won’t replace him properly.

You did beat Spurs last week, signs of improvement?

Definitely. One of the best performances I’ve seen from West Ham in a while. Also showed that our players still have fight left in them too. Our new signings looked good, so need to keep them playing so they adapt quicker. Hopefully more of the same thing to come.

Jarrod Bowen is your top scorer with six, what kind of player is he?

Jarrod will always be our best player, and without him our club would have been lost a long time ago. He’s received some criticism due to him being the captain as he’s not the obvious one that we’ve seen in the past, but I’ve always believed he’s more about inspiring the players by the way he plays. For me, he’s one of the best wingers in the league. At a top side, everyone would be talking about him.

Other than Bowen, who are some of your best players?

My player of the season so far has to be Matty Fernandes. He’s the midfielder West Ham has needed for many years now. Him next to Declan Rice would have been a formidable midfield. Also the likes of Summerville, Soucek, Todibo and the new lads Taty Castellanos and Pablo have been better than most for us. Hopefully if we stay up, we can keep hold of these players.

On the other hand, which Sunderland players have caught your eye this season?

All of them, honestly. Some of the signings you’ve made have been very smart and also not all expensive either. Annoyingly West Ham had the chance to sign Brobbey from Ajax not too long ago, yet we turned him away. He looks to be a real good signing for you now. Mukiele is another who I think has been brilliant for you guys, along with your keeper (another West Ham turned away).

When we beat you 3-0 on the opening day, did you think we'd keep the momentum and be in the top ten in January?

Not to offend, but not at all! I thought all the signings wouldn’t gel in time and beating us, under Graham Potter’s management, wouldn’t mean too much. However everything just seems to have fallen perfectly in place for you guys. Aside from this weekend of course, I hope you keep it up.

What's your score prediction for Saturday and are you going to the game?

I will be going to the game and I’m hoping we can finally pickup another home win this season to help push us into staying up. I think it will be a close game that ends 2-1. Hopefully to West Ham.

Where would you recommend for a travelling Sunderland fan to have pre-match food or drink?

Stratford is a bit of a shithole in all honesty. I can’t even recommend the beers at the ground as it’s stale Brewdog. I know a lot of fans go to an off licence by the grounds or the Carpenter's Arms by the ground too, however there will be a lot of West Ham fans there.

Finally, where do you think both sides will finish this year? Before a ball was kicked, you predicted us to both to stay in the division!

I’ll go bold and still predict we both stay up. You a lot more comfortably than us, that’s for sure. I think you might finish around 10th, which is an incredible debut season back in the top flight. As for West Ham, I reckon it’s 16th or 17th for us.