West Ham’s climb up the Championship table is accepted and things could only get better
After a slow start to the season, West Ham United’s revival in September brought them a pair of EFL honours. And there may be more on the way.
Nuno Espirito Santo was named Championship manager of the month with Dinos Mavropanos winning the equivalent player award. Two wins could have turned into three, with Ilahi Mukasa’s first Hammers goal earning him goal of the month.
The manager was under pressure after picking up just two points from the opening three league games of the season. However, a return to 13 points from a possible 15 in September saw West Ham climb to second in the table heading into Friday’s meeting with QPR.
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Centre-back Mavropanos has scored in four of September’s five league games, including the tie against Millwall last time out. There are only three players who have scored more goals in the Championship this season than the Greek national team player.
Mukasa came through the Hammers’ youth ranks before joining Manchester City. He returned on loan this summer and opened his account with a goal against Wolves in September, the first of which, a long-range rocket, earned him the nomination.
Other contenders for the Goal of the Month award are Southampton defender Wellington and Stoke duo Jack McGlynn and Sam Gallagher. His Potters teammates scored in the same match, a comeback win over Sheffield United just before the international break.
Former West Ham winger Jobi McAnuff is among those praising Mukasa for settling into the team. “Mukasa in midfield, what a player he is, I have to say,” McAnuff told the BBC’s 72+ podcast
“Listen, [there’s] charge of positivity. A squad we all feel will struggle at the top of the table this season. It just took some time to adjust.”
West Ham returned to action on Friday night after a three-week break for the long international break. They host a QPR side who have lost just once in the league this term.
“After the break there will be a question mark for all teams in all competitions,” Nuno said at the pre-match press conference. “There’s always a question mark about how you start again and we have to make sure we’re on.
“Like I said, the break was a good chance to do a lot of good work and today (Thursday) was the first time everyone was back with us and the squad was complete.
“We’re looking forward to getting back into it, but at the same time we understand that we’re going to play a tough opponent with the same mindset. We’re going to be playing at home, so we know it’s up to us to perform properly.”