Green Street Hammers
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Looking Ahead At West Ham’s Pre-Christmas Schedule

By Scott Johnson

STRATFORD, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 25: West Ham fans during the Premier League match between West Ham United and Southampton at London Stadium on September 25, 2016 in Stratford, England. (Photo by Catherine Ivill - AMA/Getty Images)
STRATFORD, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 25: West Ham fans during the Premier League match between West Ham United and Southampton at London Stadium on September 25, 2016 in Stratford, England. (Photo by Catherine Ivill - AMA/Getty Images) /
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West Ham’s patchy form will need to improve in the coming weeks if they want to get anything from the upcoming fixtures. Heading up to Christmas it’s looking pretty scary for Hammers fans.

HULL, ENGLAND – OCTOBER 22: Mark Hughes, Manager of Stoke City reacts during the Premier League match between Hull City and Stoke City at KCom Stadium on October 22, 2016 in Hull, England. (Photo by Matthew Lewis/Getty Images)
HULL, ENGLAND – OCTOBER 22: Mark Hughes, Manager of Stoke City reacts during the Premier League match between Hull City and Stoke City at KCom Stadium on October 22, 2016 in Hull, England. (Photo by Matthew Lewis/Getty Images) /

Stoke (H)

What West Ham manger Bilic will be after: A Win.

Starting off nice and simple for West Ham, a must win game. Stoke are also struggling this year and despite a few recent wins are still showing frailties in their side.

Stoke beat Swansea at the weekend and the bad news is that Bony has finally started scoring again. He’s a tough man to contend with when in form and it’s surprising we didn’t make more of an effort to sign him on loan from City, especially given that he’s got proven experience in the Premier League. Which Zaza hasn’t.

The good news for West Ham I that Stoke will be without two key creative players. Shaqiri went off injured in their most recent match and it is highly doubtful he will be fit to play. Especially given his history of injury woes.

Marko Arnautovic is also out of the match due to being suspended. Given his ability to create from the wing or be lethal in the middle it’s a big loss for Stoke and a big boost to our chances of getting a win out of the match.

Joe Allen has been in fine form recently and will need to be watched. However it is out goalscoring issues that worry me the most. Will we find a way past the physical Stoke defence?