After losing to Newcastle in disappointing fashion, West Ham now have the opportunity to kick-start their season against Charlton.
As always here at Green Street Hammers we will give our thoughts on the match and try and predict West Ham’s result.
Henry – West Ham United 2-0 Charlton Athletic
The defeat against Newcastle did show exactly where West Ham’s weaknesses are, and that is in the defence. Going forward the Hammers did create chances and could have had a couple of goals if the finishing was notably better.
Charlton have started the season well, winning their last two games, but should not offer the same attacking threat as the Magpies. The Hammers should be able to create even more against League One opposition, as they did in the preseason.
The Hammers have taken a few punches since that day were the club won two games by big goal margins. The game might be scrappy but the Hammers should have too much for the Addicks.
Louis – West Ham United 0-1 Charlton Athletic
If confidence wasn’t already at an all-time low, Saturday’s dismal defeat to Newcastle would have sealed that train of thought.
With six difficult Premier League fixtures on the horizon – which will no doubt be the priority – it is difficult to predict how David Moyes will set up for this League Cup clash.
A win would do something, if not a lot, to help galvanize the despondent squad, but a loss would be nothing short of a disaster, as the Hammers could realistically be looking at eight losses in a row to start the season.
I personally think the latter will happen, as I don’t have any faith in Moyes to select the most-suited team or implement the right tactics. Not to mention West Ham’s dark history against lower-league opposition.
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Adam – West Ham United 4-1 Charlton Athletic
Sometimes, despite everything surrounding a club, skill just perseveres, and this will be an explosion of such skill in this Cup match. West Ham are more experienced, stronger, and Moyes will be motivated to get a solid cup run going and Charlton are unfortunately in the way.
In what is being dubbed the Cullen Cup, West Ham should throw a strong XI and strong bench, with a few youngsters mixed in, at a newly relegated side. Bowen, Fornals, Soucek, and Anderson are all poised for offensive success so one a piece for the quartet!
Jack – West Ham United 2-1 Charlton Athletic
I’d like to think that Moyes will take this cup seriously as it’s a very winnable trophy and it could really boost our confidence. However, I don’t see us taking it seriously as per usual.
Despite our recent record against teams in League 1, I would expect us to qualify for the next round given the quality of our team. If we managed to beat Charlton then we would play either Leeds or Hull in the next round which gives us a great chance of progressing further into the competition.
It’s quite likely that Moyes will put out a strong line up with a mix of Academy players meaning that we might get a further look at Mipo Odubeko and Jamal Baptiste. We will also probably see Josh Cullen start against the club he was loaned out to for two seasons. I will go for 2-1 West Ham with Haller and Yarmolenko getting our goals.
Aaron West Ham United 2-1 Charlton Athletic
After a tough watch at the weekend, it’ll fall on some of West Ham’s fringe players to get the job done against Charlton tonight. While it’s completely understandable to get those players some game time against a lower league opponent, part of me also feels it would do some good to get the majority of the first team a run out to build on the dire performance and build some confidence.
It’ll be interesting to see who is on the pitch for the Irons tonight (and in what position). While West Ham will have the superior quality, it seems that even when the club is flying high that they’re always susceptible to a loss like last years 4-0 drubbing against Oxford. I do think that West Ham will see this one out with a 2-1 victory but I don’t believe it’ll be as inspiring as the fan base probably needs right now. COYI
Tonight’s match could have a significant impact on the rest of the season, think back to the Oxford result last season. A big win could raise morale and push the team on, but a loss could damage the team further and condemn them for the rest of the season.