Being a West Ham United fan in recent years has been strenuous; no consistency or stability being a big problem for a few years now, and although we’ve had some decent moments we have never really been able to capitalise on the good spells. With poor managing and board decisions being made along with huge debts, it was a torrid time.
Despite all this, things are really starting to look up, we have owners who genuinely care for the club and have drastically reduced our debts, a high calibre manager who has a wealth of experience and has done an excellent job so far. Furthermore, with the move to the Olympic Stadium on the horizon the next few years will truly be historical for West Ham United.
Although I have voiced my concerns in the past; the signing of Andy Carroll is a huge statement of intent and, as I already mentioned with the stadium move approaching the type players we will attract will increase and improve our current squad. Realistically we won’t be top 4 contenders at this current moment in time but there is a real sense of optimism surrounding West Ham, arguments could be made at the style of play or lack of youth endorsement but with the signing of 19 year old Danny Whitehead from Stockport County; we have evidence to suggest that Big Sam is willing to look at youth and give players a chance.
Spanning back 10 years now, it has been difficult seeing the Hammers struggle but things are changing for the better and good times lie ahead, not only for the club itself but for the loyal supporters who have always backed the team under any circumstances!
not sure how you quantify that the stadium move will attract players. There’s only one thing players / agents like and that’s MONEY. We can’t afford the money big players want each week.
80k is big money and other then the very elite most players would be happy with that.
I think your going to be surprised at the investment coming very soon all down the new staduim.
Its a world wide icon!
Bigger stadium means bigger crowds which in turn brings in bigger revenues! Also the forth biggest stadium in English football raises our profile both on and off the field which in turn makes us more attractive to higher quality players and serious investors alike.
Hate to rain on all this sunshine,but the way things are looking,I think we’ve put all our eggs in one basket,namely Andy Carroll ! It looks like we have to flog a few squad players to fund this deal and doesn’t look like were getting much in,except maybe on loan,if Carroll gets injured,which history indicates he will,were in trouble,but lets see what happens next,pray we get some decent players in,but the moneys dried up on one deal I think?? Any thoughts,or anyone agree??
I think we done the wright thing. Geting andy we need one more new striker. Who is good I can see jarvo geting better by every game and I don’t think buying 30year old are gunna do much for the team I just hope. We buy new players coz some of ower players. Are bags of dog crap I wood love to see us win somethink for onces but even if we don’t I well allways love westham coyi
Ryan
Seriously mate, work on your spelling.
80k is a lot of money, but can you see us offering that to every player. Then you’ll have players coming in thinking ‘if he’s worth 80k I want 100k. Alan Shearer never asked for a pay rise at Newcastle, simply because it was in his contract that he would always be the highest earner!. When one of the players asked for a pay rise, I can’t remember his name, and his wages went to 66k Shearer’s wages were automatically increased. As Terry says ‘eggs in one basket’. Man C pay 100 to 200 grand each week to half their team.
I don’t think the stadium is an answer in itself but its part of the answer. Bigger stadium, more crowds, more exposure, bigger club, more sponsors and perhaps wealthier people wanting to take a stake in the club. Of course we are all concerned and hope it all works out. But I agree with Shaun’s basic message and that is that the Hammers seem to have now what they have lacked for some time and that is solidity in off field management which then supports the manager and team. It just looks to me like we’re in good hands. I might be wrong and it all might end in dissapointment…again. But the frustrating thing about WHU in the almost 4 decades I’ve followed their fotunes is that we are marked by one thing in particular…unfulfilled potential. just perhaps this time…
And by the way when mentioning Sullivan Gold and Allardyce don’t forget to mention Karen Brady…obviously a very astute sheila.
A lot of good points made and most of them pertanent! Signing players like Carroll and moving to the OS will be very good for the club as both raise our profile and expose us to a totally new level of investment both on and of the field. However it is only right to point out that there is no use in signing AC unless we can back it up with other players of equal quality. Shopping around in Europes bargain basements for make weights and loan deals is simply not good enough. We need another two quality signings at least or we will be in trouble. It is frustrating that we have spent millions so far just to stand still! It could also be argued that in fact in terms of squad development we are going backwards. For our squad was painfully thin last year, as the bad run at Xmas time exposed and we are unloading first team players at an alarming rate. It is all very well saying that the players being targeted for the exit are not good enough to take the club forward, (true enough), but if we are not bringing anyone in, of better quality or not then we are definitely in trouble! As you can probably guess I am a nervous little Hammer! Our first eleven is certainly good enough but our squad is well short of quality and numbers. Big Sam needs to pull it out of the bag! Keeping the faith, just! COYI!
Lets give a look after July 1st and on to see what the real make up of this club will be. We are still in the early days.