West Ham have enjoyed the best start to a season for 24 years, with David Moyes’ side sitting on 10 points from their first four fixtures.
The Hammers are quietly building on the success of the last few seasons with very little fanfare. After four games, they are unbeaten with three wins and a draw—the same record as Spurs, Liverpool and Arsenal.
David Moyes’ side entered the international break with a 2-1 win over newcomers Luton Town at Kenilworth Road last week. Fans will be happy to see their team getting into the business without all the hype and attention.
With that being said, let us take a look at the three things we have learned watching West Ham across the opening four games of the 2023/24 season.
- James Ward-Prowse’s fast start at West Ham
James Ward-Prowse has hit the ground running at West Ham since signing from Southampton in the summer. He has bagged a goal and three assists in three games, providing much-needed quality, dynamism and leadership to West Ham’s midfield following the departure of Declan Rice to Arsenal.
The England international has quickly gelled with players like Edson Alvarez and Lucas Paqueta around him, helping the Hammers torment Chelsea, Brighton and Luton Town before the international break. If Ward-Prowse keeps performing in the same vein after the break, he’ll be right up on the list of bargain signings of the summer transfer window.
- Deadly on counter-attacks
David Moyes has been long accused of his boring, dull and defensive style of football. Often setting up his team on counter-attacks, even against teams that aren’t up to their quality, Moyes continues to churn out results.
This season has been no different with the Hammers proving devastating on counter-attacks against Chelsea and Brighton. With players such as Michail Antonio, Jarrod Bowen and Said Benrahma up front and creative players like James Ward-Prowse and Lucas Paqueta behind them, facing West Ham is going to be a big challenge for teams this season.
- Lucas Paqueta taking more responsibility
Lucas Paqueta became West Ham’s record signing when he joined for £51m from Lyon in the summer of 2022. The Brazilian midfielder knuckled down, adjusted to the pace of the Premier League and offered plenty of creativity during the second half of last season—most notably providing the assist for Bowen’s winner against Fiorentina in the Europa Conference League final in Prague in May.
The 26-year-old’s exploits in a West Ham shirt didn’t go unnoticed as champions Manchester City tried to sign him in the summer. However, Paqueta’s move to Man City collapsed due to betting allegations. But he did not let his head drop and responded with an excellent performance in the 3-1 win over Chelsea.
Paqueta has also gone on to record solid performances in the wins over Brighton and Luton as well, bagging a delightful assist against the latter last week. Going by his performances in the opening weeks of the season, it wouldn’t be a stretch to say the club’s record signing has taken on more responsibility following Rice’s exit.