At least it gives us some hope that both teams looked woeful on the road against Sunderland.

Winning your home games against the bottom sides gives you a chance.

Brentford’s keeper Kelleher looks overrated to me. Shocking for the second. West Ham could be losing Paqueta to Villa, but they’ve splashed out on a DM from Monaco and Fernandes from Southampton, which could sort their midfield.

Interestingly, Sunderland were described by a few on here as ‘we won’t see any worse teams at the Turf’ last week after we beat them. Yet they’ve won two out of two at home, with their fans waxing lyrical about their new players.

Just to add, Wolves have 3/3 defeats, with Newc (A), Leeds (H) and Spurs (A) their next 3. Think there are 3 teams there that all three promoted teams can compete with to stay up, anyway.

Different kettle of fish playing in the nets for Liverpool as it is for Brentford, as I’m sure Kelleher will find out this season.

After the first rounds of games, early thoughts are that these teams are in the mix:

Burnley
Leeds
Sunderland
Brentford
Wolves
West Ham

Maybes (Forest and Brighton)

All the rest look understandably miles ahead at the moment

Sunderland have had an ideal set of starting fixtures. A club in disarray, another who have just lost their talisman manager and a fellow promoted side.

With two of those three being at home, they couldn’t have asked for more to allow all their new players to build confidence whilst they were still gelling.

When we bought a similar amount of players in 23/24 our first 6 games were City, Spurs, Villa, Man U, Newcastle and Forest - 5 of those 6 finished in the top 8.

agreenwood wrote: ↑

Sun Aug 31, 2025 12:14 pm

Sunderland have had an ideal set of starting fixtures. A club in disarray, another who have just lost their talisman manager and a fellow promoted side.

With two of those three being at home, they couldn’t have asked for more to allow all their new players to build confidence whilst they were still gelling.

When we bought a similar amount of players in 23/24 our first 6 games were City, Spurs, Villa, Man U, Newcastle and Forest - 5 of those 6 finished in the top 8.

This season's start hasn't been any lighter for us, we have Liverpool, Forest and Man City as the next 3 PL fixtures...

Paqueta reportedly refusing to play today. Not sure any Hammers' players have actually played since the season started, mind.

Ric_C wrote: ↑

Sun Aug 31, 2025 12:00 pm

After the first rounds of games, early thoughts are that these teams are in the mix:

Burnley
Leeds
Sunderland
Brentford
Wolves
West Ham

Maybes (Forest and Brighton)

All the rest look understandably miles ahead at the moment

I don't think Forest or Brighton will be in any danger
whatsoever.

No but I threw them in there as Brighton could have a stale season, and there is uncertainty with Forest due to the manager situation

ecc wrote: ↑

Sun Aug 31, 2025 12:57 pm

Paqueta reportedly refusing to play today. Not sure any Hammers' players have actually played since the season started, mind.

Starts though.

Yoane Wissa via instagram

Hammers winning at Forest 0-1.
86 mins.

Vegas Claret wrote: ↑

Sun Aug 31, 2025 1:17 pm

Yoane Wissa via instagram

What a tosser.

Forest 0 West Ham 3 FT
Brighton 2 City 1 FT