West Ham United are currently occupying a top six spot.
Pundit Paul Merson has told Sky Sports that he thinks it will be a ‘big ask’ for West Ham United to finish in the top six this season.
The Hammers drew 2-2 at Bournemouth last weekend, and will be looking to secure a victory at home to London rivals Crystal Palace this weekend.
Manuel Pellegrini’s side are six games unbeaten in the Premier League, winning three and drawing three in that run whilst conceding just four goals.
West Ham look impressive right now, and currently sit fifth in the Premier League table, meaning fans are dreaming of European qualification.
Arsenal, Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United haven’t looked impressive so far this season, whilst Chelsea are still blowing hot and cold with their youth movement.
That means other clubs are gaining real hope of breaking into the top six, with Leicester City the main candidates right now, but West Ham could be dangerous too.
They have quality attacking players in Sebastien Haller, Andriy Yarmolenko, Manuel Lanzini and Felipe Anderson, but the recent injury to goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski is a major blow.
Now, Merson has suggested that a top six finish for West Ham is a ‘big ask’, as they need key players to stay fit all season, whereas the ‘bigger sides’ will be able to come through over the course of a campaign, believing West Ham would have to do something special to land a top six finish.
“There is a long way to go,” said Merson. “The teams you are asking to finish in the top six – Leicester and West Ham – it is a big ask for them. Certain players have to stay fit for them, so I think it is between Chelsea, United and Arsenal who will finish in the top four.”
“The cream always comes to the top – they (United and Arsenal) are not playing well at the moment, but over 38 games, you are asking Leicester and West Ham to do something special the way the gulf is at the moment.” he added.
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