There has not been too much to be positive about at West Ham so far this season but like London buses two pieces of good news have arrived at once.

Good news has been hard to come by at West Ham of late.

And not just since Julen Lopetegui took over at the Hammers helm in the summer.

West Ham have been pretty abject in 2024.

Ever since back-to-back 2-0 wins over Man United and Arsenal to close out 2023, West Ham have been a shadow of the team they should be.

Wins have been few and far between.

There have been just seven West Ham wins from the last 32 games in all competitions under David Moyes and now Lopetegui.

There have been some hidings among the defeats along the way too.

With the talent at West Ham’s disposal and the money spent, that record is unacceptable.

It will have to change soon if Lopetegui is to ease the pressure mounting on his shoulders.

There’s been a steady stream of bad news around the Hammers all season.

Negative narrative proving difficult to shake at West Ham

After a superb summer window, the club has seen big striker signing Niclas Fullkrug miss the last four games through injury.

And the German is out until after the international break too.

Players are out of form, performances are as bad as results, the media are circling the manager and West Ham are in possession of some of the worst records in the Premier League right now.

Things have been so dismal even the manager has suffered an injury after hurting his calf when jumping in exasperation at a Crysencio Summerville missed chance during a 5-1 defeat at Anfield.

Lopetegui had a blazing row with star player Mohammed Kudus and hauled him off at half-time during an underwhelming draw at Brentford.

Lucas Paqueta was shaking his head at the boss as he was subbed off in the second half too.

But finally, at long last, there is something positive to write about.

Two amazing pieces of good news have emerged from West Ham in one day.

Like London buses you wait for one and two come along at once.

The first heartwarming bit of good news comes from a player who is fast becoming a real fan favourite among fans.

Over the summer most West Ham fans could be forgiven to forgetting they’d even signed Andy Irving.

Two pieces of good news emerge from West Ham in one day

The Scot was something of a dirty little secret at West Ham at the start of this summer.

Irving’s fellow Scot David Moyes was Hammers boss when the club signed him from SK Austria Klagenfurt last summer before immediately loaning him back.

West Ham paid a reported £1.5m for the 24-year-old central midfielder as part of a feeder club partnership.

But there was an air of mystery and an element of the bizarre surrounding Irving at West Ham in the summer.

West Ham have never officially unveiled or announced the Scot as a signing.

And there was barely any mention of the former Hearts player as he started pre-season under Lopetegui.

A lack of bodies meant Irving was used in most pre-season matches. His underdog story, and a barnstorming goal, saw Irving become an unlikely fan favourite.

The arrival of Carlos Soler and Guido Rodriguez to add to Tomas Soucek, Lucas Paqueta and Edson Alvarez looked like rendering Irving’s presence in the squad pointless.

The player himself even admitted he thought he’d be leaving West Ham in the summer.

He has been getting in the squads and has even made four brief appearances for the Hammers so far.

Now his reward is simply wonderful.

Because Irving has been called up to the Scotland squad for the first time.

He has been named in Steve Clarke’s squad for big games against top nations Croatia and Portugal.

West Ham fans will no doubt have one eye on those matches over the forthcoming international break.

“Everyone at West Ham United would like to congratulate Andy on his Scotland call-up and wish him the best on international duty,” West Ham said in a statement announcing Irving’s call-up.

It’s not the only good news about a midfielder at West Ham today either.

Irving gets Scotland call-up as top youngster signs news deal

Because a talented box-to-box midfielder the club snapped up from Chelsea has signed his first professional contract with West Ham.

Preston Fearon may just be 17 but he’s very highly thought of at the club.

After a lengthy injury, Fearon is back and captaining the Academy’s U18s. Now he has signed his first professional deal at the Academy of Football’s Chadwell Heath Training Ground.

Fearon admits being released by Chelsea knocked his confidence. But he is loving life at West Ham and Academy manager Kenny Brown says this is a ‘big year for him’.

Sound familiar West Ham fans? Declan Rice followed the same path. If Fearon goes on to be half the player then the Hammers will be laughing.

“What I really admire is that he matches his technical ability with a strong work ethic,” Brown said.

“He’s a team player who contributes just as much off the ball as he does on it. He’s a big talent, and I look forward to seeing how far we can take him!

“Captaincies aren’t handed out lightly. He’s someone players can look up to. It adds more responsibility, but it’s an important part of his development. The leadership skills he gains now will serve him well as he progresses through the ranks. He’s becoming a more rounded player, and this is a big year for him. Signing his first professional contract is the perfect way to start it.”

Some much needed positive news from east London ahead of the huge game this weekend.

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