West Ham Fan View: Three things to look out for when West Ham face Stoke

West Ham face Stoke City on Monday night with our opponents looking increasingly likely to be relegated this season.

We defeated them 3-0 when we faced them in December.

Here are three things to look out for.

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Close to securing safety

Following the draw with Chelsea last week, we are six points away from 40 points for the season. This is the number that many believe guarantees safety from relegation. Stoke is probably our easiest game from the remaining six, given that they are in 19th place and have lost their last four.

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We appear to have turned our form around after the disastrous scenes in the game against Burnley, and we should win this weekend. The quicker we guarantee our safety in the Premier League, the quicker we can look ahead to next season in the hope that we do not suffer the same struggles.

Marko Arnautovic for Hammer of the Year?

Marko Arnautovic had another great performance against Chelsea, assisting Javier Hernandez for the equaliser. It is hard to argue against him being our Hammer of the Year despite his disappointing start to the season. The manner in which he has turned his performances around has been exceptional.

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Arnautovic is now on 9 goals and 4 assists in the Premier League and his highest scoring season at Stoke was in 15/16, where he scored 11. Can he top that in his debut season for West Ham? He scored the last time we faced Stoke and he will certainly be fired up to play them once again.

Looking ahead – does David Moyes stay?

There are only six games left in the season and David Moyes’ contract only runs until the end of the season. I did not expect us to stay up in the Premier League when he took over and we now have a realistic shot of finishing close to the top half. The football has not always been great and he has often favoured a more defensive approach but he should be considered for a permanent role.