The last time West Ham and Brighton met was on match week 2. Nobody knew what was to come of either side then but now both sides are struggling and near the bottom.
For West Ham, they have never fared well against the Gulls but they have a real opportunity today to take all 3 points a skyrocket up the table and away from the relegation zone. Can the Hammers shake off a rough month of football and start February on a high note? Here’s what the staff had to say.
Jeremiah
West Ham 1-1 Brighton
In facing Brighton, West Ham is facing their weakest opponent all month. However, for me, they aren’t quite out of the woods yet because they never play well against Brighton and I don’t see it happening today either.
I do think that the addition of Tomáš Souček will help shore up the midfield defensively but the Gulls play tight defense and will be combating with much of the same. Much like the earlier in the season, it’ll be a slow methodical match with both sides leaving with a point each.
Henry
West Ham 2-0 Brighton
West Ham simply has to win this game. The run of games that the Hammers have after Saturday is simply awful, making this game against Brighton all the more important. It will be good to Tomáš Souček make his debut in the center of midfield, hopefully, he is the player West Ham fans have been crying out for.
Michail Antonio should also be back in the squad for the match, he will be a massive boost for the club as he is currently the best-attacking player in the side at the moment. Brighton has been a bogey side for West Ham since their promotion, but now is the time to put the hammer to the Seagulls.
More from Green Street Hammers - West Ham
- Brighton vs West Ham predictions: Can James Ward-Prowse help end the curse?
- West Ham and two Premier League rivals made huge transfer stand
- Lucas Paqueta bet allegations discussed in West Ham and Man City transfer talks
- Bournemouth vs West Ham predictions: Premier League opener amid transfer chaos
- West Ham near Denis Zakaria transfer after final James Ward-Prowse bid
Adam
West Ham 3-1 Brighton
The Hammers are poised for a breakout performance after the positivity of the end of the transfer window. With new players in the club and possibly one or more in the team, there will be a boost to the squad who has a tough task ahead of them in fighting off relegation.
Brighton is a good team but has been a bit off lately, winning just one match in their last five and struggling to score goals regularly. If Tomas Soucek plays that settles the midfield and if any other new players feature it again would be a bonus for the team. I see a booming offensive output in this one for the Hammers, hopefully.
Jeff
West Ham 2-1 Brighton
Its been a busy week for West Ham United. On the pitch, the Hammers face Brighton in their third match in 7 days. Off the pitch, the transfer deadline created activity in the board room. It will be interesting to see if new midfielder Tomas Soucek will make the XI or the bench for this, or if it’s too soon.
Regardless, this is a must-win match for West Ham and it’s not going to be easy. It never is against the Gulls, who have not lost to the Irons since they’ve been promoted. (D2, 3L) So let’s say West Ham are due! And it helps that Brighton are not in form—neither are WHU really, but they accounted themselves well in the midweek make up game vs Liverpool.
And honestly, the Hammers are in dire need of all three points here as they are in arguably the toughest run of fixtures in the season. This is a home game against a team they figure to be battling with to stay out of the drop zone. Somehow, someway, the Irons get it done. I don’t think it will be pretty, but it will be effective.
Lou
West Ham 2-1 Brighton
With the unbeatable Liverpool game behind us, it gives us a chance to focus on our must-win fixture against Brighton. If we win, we go above the Seagulls in the league. If we lose – well – the threat of relegation gets so much bigger.
While we would all love a fantastic performance, the main focus of this game has to be the three points. Scrappy it may be, but I think we’ll edge a nervy affair to take the pressure off Moyes and the players as we head into a set of daunting fixtures.
Positivity is reigning once more for the GSH staff but how will the match really pan out? Potter ball will face off against the Moyes bump and who will prevail is anyone’s guess but one thing is for certain, the Hammers need to win this match but if they don’t, this long season will get longer.