It has not been a good Premier League season for West Ham as they went into the World Cup break 16th in the table, just a point above the dreaded drop zone.
The World Cup hiatus has given David Moyes a chance to assess the first part of the 2022/23 campaign, a period in which the Hammers have constantly struggled to get positive results. They lost three league games in a row before the season came to a halt to leave Moyes in a spot of bother.
Having said that, here are three things we have learned from West Ham’s season so far.
#Leaders yet to come to the fore
West Ham don’t lack leaders and experienced personalities in the dressing room but, barring Declan Rice, players have not taken ownership and led by example throughout the dismal first part of the season.
Last season was way different when the players looked like fighting for each other, giving everything on the pitch and executing the manager’s game plan. The Hammers have not been the same team, and the failure of big personalities to come to the fore and help Moyes and co. to negotiate a tough period has been startling to watch.
#Gianluca Scamacca has failed to deliver
Gianluca Scamacca arrived at the London Stadium amidst a lot of fanfare in the summer after West Ham splashed £30.5m to sign him from Sassuolo. The fans had every right to be excited about the signing as Scamacca was the second-highest Italian scorer in Serie A last season with 16 goals from 36 games.
However, that excitement seems to have long evaporated with the towering Italy international failing to make the desired impact at West Ham. Scamacca is yet to adjust to the style, pace and robustness of Premier League football, managing only two league goals in 15 appearances.
No one denies the talent he is but the 23-year-old’s failure to score goals at a consistent rate whilst easing the pressure off Michail Antonio’s shoulders should worry Moyes and the West Ham fans.
#Summer signings have been more miss than hit
Having qualified for the Europa Conference league for this season, West Ham needed more players to sustain another European push as well as their Premier League campaign.
In came the likes of Gianluca Scamacca, Lucas Paqueta, Nayef Aguerd, Emerson Palmieri, Thilo Kehrer, Flynn Downes and Maxwel Cornet over the summer transfer window. Aguerd has just returned to fitness following a long-term Achilles injury, while Kehrer and Emerson have not done enough in defence.
Cornet has been in and out of the team due to injury problems, thus, failing to consistently perform for the east London outfit. Scamacca has only two Premier League goals to show for in 15 league games, whereas, Paqueta is yet to prove why West Ham splashed so much money for his signature.
Downes has been the most consistent player among the summer arrivals, providing the Hammers’ midfield with more bite and steel. Overall, though, the summer signings have failed to make the desired impact at West Ham.