West Ham fans have simply been strapped into a rollercoaster ride this season…

With a string of inconsistent performances this season, our resident Hammers fans have been experiencing contrasting emotions whilst drinking in the Transfer Tavern. One week, they will be celebrating until the early hours after a great win, the next week they will be drowning their sorrows after a heavy defeat – there just seems to be no in between.

Alongside this, the Irons have had to deal with the loss of playmaker Dimitri Payet – although, it seems that the team have come together following the departure of the French playmaker which is now being viewed by our Landlord as a blessing in disguise.

Another view from our Landlord is that this Hammers side is too good to be playing as inconsistently as they are currently playing and the common view in the Transfer Tavern is that the east London side need to buck their ideas up in their remaining fixtures to make sure this season is not a disaster.

Hammers fans in the Tavern have actually been gathering around the pub’s fixture wall chart and whilst every game is tough in the Premier League, there are still some big fixtures coming up for West Ham. Here are FIVE that have been outlined…

25 Feb: Watford (A)

Following FA Cup weekend, West Ham travel to Vicarage Road with the hosts sitting just two points behind the Hammers with the gap of three league places.

Failure to get anything from the game will almost definitely see West Ham drop into the bottom half of the table and ensure they are playing catch up with the clubs around them which include the Hornets, Stoke, Southampton and Burnley.

22 April: Everton (H)

The home game at the London Stadium against Everton will start crunch time for the Hammers as they play three fixtures against teams our Landlord feels will be trying to solidify a place against them.

As the first of these fixtures, Hammers fans in the Tavern are listing this game as a real tone setting for the end of the West Ham season and if their side can bridge the current nine-point gap between the two sides in the time leading up to this game, then extra value may be placed on the fixture.

29 April: Stoke (A)

At present, West Ham find themselves level on points with Stoke with the Potters higher in the league on goal difference.

Our Landlord believes that the trip to the bet365 stadium will be a tricky prospect for the Hammers but it could well be the difference between the East London outfit finishing in the top half and pushing for the Europa League spots or the bottom half of the table which will surely be viewed as failure

6 May: Spurs (H)

A week after Stoke, the Hammers welcome their arch rivals Spurs to the London Stadium.

This game will be of high magnitude purely because the two sets of fans will not want to lose this one, our Landlord is expecting a fiery encounter and is just hoping there is not too much mess to clean up after. Whilst Spurs will be looking to finish the Hammers’ season – the Irons could well finish off Spurs’ titles hopes in this one as at present, the Lilywhites look best placed to catch leaders Chelsea.

What West Ham fan would not like to see their side destroy Tottenham’s title aspirations?

21 May: Burnley (A)

At present, the Clarets sit two points behind the Hammers and after their recent draw with Chelsea, Sean Dyche’s men are looking a solid prospect in the Premier League.

Our Landlord believes that if the sturdy form of Burnley is to continue, they could well be pushing for a top half finish this season and with West Ham currently in 10th spot, this game may be important in the final league standings – especially when it is considered that the fixture occurs on the last day of the season.