West Ham Super Fan delivers verdict on Everton clash
This is part of a regular series from our panel of Super Fans on upcoming Everton games. Ahead of Everton’s game against West Ham in the Premier League, we caught up with Hammers Super Fan Alex Bartlett.
Everton play host to West Ham on Sunday, looking to retain their position in the top six.
The Hammers, who finished last season in the European spots, will visit Goodison Park treating this game as a six-pointer, so there’s a lot riding on it.
Ahead of the game, we caught up with one of the West Ham season ticket holders to see what his feelings are ahead of this clash.
What have you made of West Ham this season and have you seen enough to be confident of a win against Everton, who have also started strongly?
It has been very encouraging to see the side pick up where it left off from last season. This squad under Moyes is the first time in my lifetime supporting West Ham that every member of the squad is hard working and puts 1000% in and it is all we have ever asked for. There is a genuine belief we can beat anyone.
Will the Brentford defeat have affected the dressing room?
Despite losing to Brentford last time out this team has shown resilience and very rarely lost consecutive games so I am confident we will get something on Sunday.
What worries you about Everton?
With Richardson and Dominic Calvert-Lewin out it feels like a great time to be playing Everton. Andros Townsend is in good form but whether he can carry that through a whole season remains to be seen.
What have you made of Rafa Benitez’s time in charge given how unpopular an appointment he was?
Obviously, having managed Liverpool to a European Cup it was always going to be an appointment met with mixed feelings on Merseyside but I always felt Rafa would do well. If you look at what he has done in the past I think his teams don’t get credit for the football they play. Rafa is renowned for bringing the best out of his players and I would be surprised if Everton aren’t in the mix for best of the rest or if Benitez is the man to end Everton’s trophy drought.
Your predictions for this game?
I see West Ham edging this with a 2-1 scoreline. Salomon Rondon could score for the hosts with Michail Antonio and Tomas Soucek finding the back of the net for us.
Must avoid losing
The Toffees are going to be fighting for table positions with the Hammers so they must do whatever they can to avoid a defeat on Sunday.
Given the number of injuries, getting a win would undoubtedly be tougher for Benitez’s men, but home advantage could be key,
They have started the season strongly and all the pre-season angst of the Benitez appointment now appears to have gone.
Hopefully, the team shows up and exceeds expectations with an impressive performance and the three points.
In other Everton news, Jamie Carragher claims Toffees man may want to join PL rivals at some point
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