Ahead of Everton’s clash at Upton Park, we spoke to Read West Ham co-editor, Jonny Gilder.
1) How’s the season been for you so far?
West Ham have had a bit of an up and down season so far. Wins against Arsenal, Liverpool, City and Chelsea were fantastic however fans have been left frustrated and disappointed by poor results against Bournemouth, Norwich, Sunderland and Watford.
2) Thoughts on Slaven Bilic?
Bilic is beginning to win fans over after a poor start to his West Ham managerial career when he chose to name a weak side in the Europa League, costing us our place.
However the Croatian has shown that we can progress under him and most importantly we are playing exciting, attacking football, something we rarely saw while Sam Allardyce was in charge.
3) Who are the dangermen for the Irons?
Dimitri Payet. All our best play goes through the Frenchman and he has been truly brilliant this season. The only disadvantage is when Payet doesn’t perform, West Ham don’t perform. Other danger men include Lanzini, Kouyate and Moses.
4) What do you make of Everton?
I must admit I have a soft spot for the Toffees despite them being West Ham’s bogey team over recent years. Roberto Martinez has got them playing attractive football and they appear to have a young squad full of Englishmen.
5) Lukaku has 6 in 6 for Everton against West Ham. How scared are you of him?
Not as scared as in previous matches. The Belgium has undoubted talent and has shown it in abundance this season. However West Ham fans now have begun to assume Lukaku will score against us and so the fear factor has lessened. Although I’m sure should we be 2-1 up late on and Lukaku has not scored yet, then we will be scared of him!
6) Are there any other Everton players you are wary of?
Obviously after last week’s hat-trick, Arouna Kone has to be in this list and if he plays on the left, as he did against Sunderland, he has the potential to terrorise Carl Jenkinson who has been poor this season. Other players include Spaniard Gerard Deulofeu who has played well so far this season and Ross Barkley who can change a game in a second.
7) What do you think Everton’s weakness is?
I think against West Ham it will be the lack of pace in central midfield. West Ham’s three attacking players in a 4-2-3-1 like to interchange and all have bags of pace. I don’t think Gareth Barry or James McCarthy will be able to handle them.
8) Prediction?
I’ll go for 3-2 to West Ham will goals from Payet, Valencia and Moses for West Ham and Lukaku (of course!) and Kone for Everton.
Thanks to Jonny for his time.
