The Hammers were one amongst all of the relegation candidates to achieve a draw this weekend, but there’s significance as to why West Ham’s draw was the most meaningful.
West Ham United achieved a monumental draw against Manchester City on Saturday evening, but unfortunately, all other relegation candidates were able to pick up points and in fact, everyone achieved a draw on the weekend, so with one less gameweek to go until the end of the season, as well as the Hammers being in the same position, why was our result so important?
The draw we achieved didn’t just give us a point, keeping us level with the rest of the field; it provided confidence, it provided an increase in the squad’s spirit, and it was a true representation of how much this West Ham team can fight, the unity it has accumulated over time to be able to come together and acheive a result that even in our European glory days we struggled to acheive. This West Ham side is special.
Other sides might’ve achieved a draw, but the confidence each one would’ve inherited would be little to none in comparison to Nuno’s side. We’re fortunate that the draw is followed by a game against Aston Villa, whereas sides such as Nottingham Forest and Spurs have a momentum break as they have to play in Europe, of which both sides are currently down on aggregate, but playing in Europe and then against one another on Sunday will be demolishing at least one side’s confidence.
The Hammers will have to take advantage of the fact that Aston Villa will be tired from a tough European leg, and a good result could give us the gap we’ve been asking for, seeing as someone will have to lose out on points – and with the confidence we have now gained, what’s to suggest that we couldn’t get something?
Leeds United, after holding out with 10 men, maintained their three-point gap to Nuno’s side, where they’ll play Brentford ahead of our match against Aston Villa, which’ll be another one to keep an eye on, especially seeing as ourselves and Spurs have to play Leeds once again.
The momentum we have gained from Manchester City has given us a boost that many might not have expected, but how we utilise that confidence is now the biggest question.