West Ham is not a happy camp right now, inside or outside the dressing toom, but beating bitter rivals Tottenham Hotspur would certainly help build some bridges.
West Ham and Tottenham Hotspur share plenty in common this season.
The Hammers and Spurs are among the biggest underachievers in Europe’s top leagues, let alone in the Premier League.
West Ham and Tottenham even have pathetic collapses against Brighton in common.
So there may be no love lost between the London rivals, but they certainly know how the other is feeling right now.
Tottenham do have the Europa League up their sleeve as a potential season saver, though, while West Ham’s campaign has lacked any jeopardy since January.
Saving face not bragging rights in West Ham vs Spurs
Now the two sides meet at the London Stadium, dubious bragging rights are at stake for the Premier League’s 16th and 17th placed sides. Although it’s more a case of saving face.
West Ham and Tottenham players should need no extra motivation for this particular derby.
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Kyle Walker says Spurs vs West Ham was more intense than Arsenal when he played in north London.
It’s clear the Hammers are not a happy camp as their struggles go from bad under Julen Lopetegui to worse under Graham Potter.
Supporters are already questioning Potter after just three wins from his first 15 games and no sign of any major improvement to the style of play.
Striker Niclas Fullkrug called the team “s—” and questioned his teammates’ mentality, drawing criticism and a place on the bench from his manager.
The German refused to back down, though, as Fullkrug sent a new warning to Potter after West Ham’s surrender at Brighton.
There’s discontent in the stands at Tottenham too – towards both the manager and the owners.
Ange Postecoglou looks set to leave Tottenham even if they win the Europa League – and thereby end a long trophy drought while qualifying for the Champions League.
The Aussie has to juggle his team for the Hammers clash as it is sandwiched by the two-legged semi-final against Bodo-Glimt.
So there will be few excuses for Potter and West Ham going into such a big game.
Star back in training to face Spurs after Potter ‘disagreement’
Especially with a near fully fit squad bar long-term absentees Crysencio Summerville and Michail Antonio.
Because a West Ham star is back in training to face Spurs after a ‘disagreement’ with Potter.
Last week it was claimed Edson Alvarez pulled out of the game to face Southampton amid a disagreement with the manager.
Immediately after the game Alvarez sent a cryptic post on social media which suggested cracks were appearing in his relationship with the 49-year-old Englishman.
The leak from a source close to West Ham’s owners claimed Alvarez had a fall-out out with Potter as he withdrew from the Southampton game citing he had a bad back.
That’s despite Potter not naming Alvarez among any injury concerns he had ahead of the match.
Alvarez back to face Spurs after being liked with them
Alvarez was also absent for the Brighton collapse.
It has since been claimed the 27-year-old may have played his last game for the Hammers.
Interestingly, in the meantime Alvarez has been linked with a shock summer move to Spurs.
If there is any truth to that particular claim, then the Mexican could be auditioning against West Ham’s rivals this weekend.
That’s after video footage showed Alvarez back in training ahead of the game which West Ham and Spurs fans have given a new nickname.
West Ham’s media team have shared video footage from Rush Green which shows Alvarez is back in full training.
In fact the midfielder can be heard barking orders at teammates, even telling Fullkrug to pass the ball more quickly.
Whether Alvarez goes straight back into the team to face Tottenham remains to be seen.
Many fans have pointed out that the midfielder, for his many faults, would have closed down the scorers of both of Brighton’s long-range goals in the 3-2 loss at Brighton.