With the announcement of the fixture list for the upcoming Premier League campaign, many have been salivating over the more appetizing match ups (At HOME vs Arsenal – Oct. 6, Away at Newcastle – Nov. 10, Away at Tottenham – Nov. 25, Away at Man Utd – Nov. 28, At HOME vs Chelsea – Dec. 1, etc, etc…), but what my gaze is fixed on is our first four fixtures.
It is often said that teams finish like they start, and we will face Aston Villa (H), Swansea (A), Fulham (H), and Norwich (A) from August 18 through September 15. I am not counting chickens before they hatch, nor am I overlooking the quality that each of our first four opponents possesses, but I know for a fact that those are four matches that we should more than compete in.
The aim should always be maximum points, but maximum points from the first four games of the season would be a fantastic start. I know it’s unrealistic to not account for a draw or even a total slip up, but I simply believe that West Ham can more than hold their own against each of those teams, even with our current squad.
Getting off to a good start isn’t so much a desire of mine as a necessity for the club. It must be apparent after the first several games that we have come to the Premier League not as whipping boys, but as tough-to-beat, go-for-the-throat competitors. Building a solid foundation to continue our campaign will get the squad in a good (and hopefully lasting) mentality and can only boost an already boisterous fan base.
Despite being back where we belong, in the short term context of the situation we are, indeed, new boys on the block. We must treat every opponent with respect, as nothing is for granted in this league. However, there are numerous reasons to believe in this squad (even as it changes in preparation for the new season) and this manager. Last season showed us that, despite the set backs, we can get the job done.
We must look at each fixture individually as the task at hand, with the underlying goal to surprise pundits and other teams alike by being overachievers. We are back where we belong, and we intend to enjoy a long, happy stay, but we have to put in good work week after week to accomplish it. I know we can.
To quote Noel Gallagher, “It’s not arrogance, it’s self-belief.”
