Green Street Hammers
Fansided

West Ham should aim to dominate Southampton clash

By Scott Johnson

LONDON, ENGLAND - APRIL 27: Declan Rice of West Ham United and team mates celebrate after the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and West Ham United at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on April 27, 2019 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - APRIL 27: Declan Rice of West Ham United and team mates celebrate after the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and West Ham United at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on April 27, 2019 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit

West Ham play their final home match of the season this weekend. They should aim to dominate the match and send their fans happy into the summer, not just grind a result.

A month or so ago we were contemplating the possibility of a 7th place finish. Since then a combination of abject performances, terrible refereeing decisions and general other West Ham-ness that ship has sailed. But what we can do is show that we’re improving and next season will be better.

Southampton are our opponents at the weekend and we have the ability to dominate in possession and all round general gameplay against them. We should be looking to flex our muscles and impose ourselves on the game. A show that Pellegrini’s way is going to move us on and upwards.

More from Green Street Hammers - West Ham

I’m not saying that Southampton are a poor side. They’ve improved a lot after the change of manager and in War Prowse and Redmond they have dangerous players. However when we’re at home there should be very few teams that we’re considering changing our way for. Apart from Liverpool, City and those currently battling for the top 4 we need to be backing ourselves in current shape and system to take them on. Our back line is mostly solid and our attack is more than capable, so why not?

During the season we have seen that sometimes the Hammers struggle when we’re considered favourites. Our best form has come when we have been up against it, predicted to not get anything out of the game at all. When we were expected to win easy games we’ve made hard work, or simply fallen away. Especially when presented with chances in the cup or to move up the league.

dark. Next. Can Irons keep Arnie and get him back to his best?

So not only will a dominant showing be a sign to the fans, but it should also be a signal to the players of the standard that will be expected if they are still in the squad come the first game. Wolves have shown it is possible to really improve over a summer and take on some of the big boys. Leicester showed it can just be your year sometimes. We need to write our own story. We need to make sure we’re not left behind.