Opposition View: West Ham United

Since West Ham United last won promotion to the Premier League in 2012, they’ve become a solid mid table side who have been rarely threatened by relegation and now play in one of the finest stadiums in the country.

Yet last season, the picture projected was of all not being well at the London Stadium. Hated owners, a disliked manager and a yearning for a return to the Boleyn Ground despite having what appears on the outside to be one of the better set ups outside of the big six.

What’s the real story then? We spoke to Jeff Gayle from West Ham Till I Die about last season, this season and what he expects from the Hammers going forward.

Let’s talk West Ham last season. Where you happy with the job David Moyes did and was he harshly treated by being rewarded for keeping the Hammers up with the sack?
He did a decent job in keeping us up and we thank him for that, and he did start to get the best out of Marco Arnautovic. But I think he took the job knowing that everything was up for review at the end of the season, and therefore he can’t have been that surprised to hear we were interviewing other potential managers. Whether that is harsh, the jury is out on that one.

Manuel Pellegrini has come in. What did you make of his performance and how is he getting on so far?
Looking at the first four games you would say very bad: at the last four, including beating Everton away, and Manchester United at home you would say fantastic. So I guess the overall result is not too bad. He has to be given time, but the true verdict will come at the end of the season.

Lots of pundits were very impressed with the investment put into the squad and the quality of players West Ham have bought in over the summer. How is that translating on the pitch so far?
Felipe Anderson stands out. He’s a really skilful player, full of running and I hope he stays here for a couple of seasons. He scored his first goal against Man United on Saturday, and hopefully that will be the first of many. Andriy Yarmalenko also looks to be half decent and has already shown he is capable of scoring good goals. In defence Issa Diop looks to be a strong central defender, and he’s young, so also for the future.

There were plenty of angry scenes at the London Stadium towards David Gold, David Sullivan and Karen Brady. Has the money spent calmed the anger towards them down at all or are fans still angry at their ownership?The owners said that they wanted to bring Champions League football to West Ham at the start of last season. What do you think is a realistic expectation for this campaign?
That was hilarious! If we finish tenth I’d be delighted. Anything better and it will be another barbecue summer!

This will be your third season at the London Stadium. Does it feel anything like a home yet?
I think so. The real problem is that going to Upton Park was a pilgrimage for so many years, with all your routines and stop offs, and that will take ages to replicate. It is also a bit of a trek going to the stadium from Stratford. But the stadium is great, and the facilities are fantastic. There are more bars inside the stadium, and plenty of space to hang around looking at the pitch before kick off. When the team are entertaining the noise level is great, if you sit on one side of the stadium, you are a bit far from the pitch, but I don’t sit there. Anyway there is no going back!

We know what it’s like to play at an athletics stadium having spent 12 years at Withdean, which West Ham visited on a couple of occasions. Do you have any particularly fond memories of Brighton v West Ham games down the years?
I wouldn’t say fond, I remember a few years ago, in what would have been soon after the Amex Stadium opened, we won 1-0, but I got drenched! Still it was fine earlier on for the walk along the prom.

The Hammers are in their sixth consecutive season in the Premier League. What do you have to do to survive for that long and become a solid mid table outfit?
Our problem is that most fans will probably accept that we are a mid table it’s the solid we don’t like. You could say, get Big Sam in – he’s solid, and he’s strictly mid-table. The reality is becoming, if you’ve go the money buy the players, and they will keep you up. Otherwise teams like Bournemouth, yourselves and Wolves will have to make wily purchases and coach the players well. No money and or a crap coach, and you’re doomed.

Is there anyone in the Brighton squad that you would take to West Ham? How about Chris Hughton as a future Hammers boss, given he grew up just around the corner from the Boleyn Ground?
Jose Izquierdo is a skilful player, but whether he would displace one of our players I’m not so sure. I like Glenn Murray, and would take him to come on as sub and score a goal in his dotage! As for Chris becoming our manager, maybe a few years ago when we appointed big Sam would have been the right time for him. Now I’m hoping Pellegrini will stay for a few years and have us threatening sixth place!

Finally, a prediction for the game?
I’m hoping for a 1 – 2 victory for West Ham.

Many thanks to Jeff for answering our questions. We reciprocated the favour, and you can read our interview on West Ham Till I Die here. If the Albion should win the game, why not remind Jeff of his Hammers prediction victory? You can follow them on Twitter