Throughout any season many clubs wish they had done things differently to achieve their goals. There have been many things that have cost West Ham dearly this season, such as failure to consolidate top spot in the league. This article will aim to identify five things that have cost the club this season.
Not Signing Kevin Philips
Kevin Philips was a free agent at the start of the season. He was signed by Blackpool and was given a one year deal. Since his move he has been in fine form scoring 17 goals so far this season. He is one player West Ham should have snapped at the start of the season. He looks more threatening than any of West Ham’s current strikers and would have been worth giving him a one year deal at Upton Park. He has scored goals where ever he has played and could have done a good job in helping West Ham gain promotion. Philips may not have been considered by Big Sam because the veteran striker did not fit in Big Sam’s plans of playing with an alone striker and long ball football.
Playing One Striker Up Front
Majority of the season Big Sam has only played one striker up front. This has denied West Ham in a number of occasions as they have not had the firepower to score enough goals to kill off the opposition. The alone striker has often been isolated up front. West Ham may have been sitting in a pretty position if they played two strikers up front and if they approached the game in a positive manner. Two goal scorers are better than one!
Having a Substitutes Bench of Only Five Players
Big Sam has made it clear that having a subs bench of only five players is not ideal for his large squad. A subs bench of only five players has denied some of West Ham’s promising young players an opportunity of experiencing first team football and limits Big Sam to change players and tactics during a game. Furthermore, Big Sam does not include a substitute goalkeeper because he does not have enough places on the bench for outfield players. Only on one occasion have West Ham needed a substitute goalkeeper to come on because Robert Green received a red card against Blackpool earlier this year. West Ham had no goalkeeper on the bench therefore, Henri Lansbury had to go in goal and did a excellent job stopping Blackpool scoring. Luckily a midfielder being in goal did not cost West Ham the game however, a subs bench of only five players has denied young players an opportunity to gain first team football and Big Sam does not have enough substitutes to make significant changes during a game.
Failure to Sell Carlton Cole When West Ham Had the Opportunity
During preseason Cole almost joined Stoke City for a reported £6 million fee. The transfer did not go through and Cole remained with the club. During the season with West Ham, Cole has struggled to score goals consistently in the Championship and his performances have been below par. Had West Ham sold him to Stoke City or the Turkish Clubs that expressed an interest, West Ham would have received £6 million to strengthen their squad. West Ham could have used this money to purchase a striker or a defender to help them achieve promotion back to the Premier League.
Not Being Entertaining at Home
One thing the Upton Park faithful want is entertainment. West Ham’s home form this season has not been good enough and the fans have left Upton Park disappointed on a number of occasions this season. Big Sam has not exactly helped the situation with his long ball tactics at home and playing one striker up front. This style of football contradicts the traditional ‘West Ham way’ that the West Ham fans have been brought up to watch at Upton Park. If the football is not entertaining and they do not pick up results, the fans will start to get restless. A more positive approach to the game at home is required if Big Sam wants to keep all West Ham fans happy. West Ham’s home form has cost them dearly this season and quite possibly an automatic promotion back to the Premier League.
