West Ham United face Stoke City at the London Stadium on Saturday in a game between two teams who have started the season badly but have steadily improved.
After three straight wins, last Sunday's outing at Goodison Park was a setback for the Hammers. Although they went down 2-0 to Everton, the general feeling was that the team played well in patches and had chances that, on another day, could have been taken.
The Hammers may look lightweight up front but there is simply no disguising the fact that had they not been injured, West Ham's first choice strike force would include Andy Carroll, Andre Ayew and possibly Diafra Sakho.