Last week while on a hot weather training trip; Sam Allardyce said that the current togetherness and work ethic amongst this group of players at West Ham is the best he has seen in his time in management. That is quite a compliment from a man that has been successful in the Premier League and Football League with different clubs consistently over the past ten to fifteen years.
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It may not have been champagne football, but it certainly hasn’t been as negative and long ball as often suggested at Upton Park this season with Mr Allardyce doing just as much good work off the pitch as he has on it. The mental side of the game is becoming more and more vital to professional football and the difference between the attitudes that have been seen now, compared to this time last year is remarkable. The players now believe they can win every game they play, they believe that even if they go one nil down and they still believe that if they struggle to move a bus that is parked in front of the opposition’s goal. The mental attitude may be more of a help than people realise.
That alone would tempt me to state that West Ham’s Championship side is a better side and would fare a lot better in the top flight than Avram Grant’s, Matthew Upson lead side from last year. Having watched plenty of Premier League football this season, I would happily state that aside from the top six, it is the worst set of teams that have been in the top flight in many years. Watching teams that avoided the drop ahead of the Hammers last season, Wolves, Blackburn, Wigan,Bolton etc shows just how bad a job Grant done but also makes me confident that we can really compete next season.
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Our shape and set up is much more organised, meaning our away form has dramatically improved; even if it is against weaker opposition; and with bigger sides coming to Upton Park, the fans may not be so negative as they have throughout this campaign. It will be nice to play against the likes of Spurs, Chelsea and Manchester United once again next season and I feel we can give them a game.
If the Irons were in the top flight this season, I certainly feel we would have enough to steer clear of relegation. Some fairly pathetic defending from bottom half sides would give the likes of Maynard, Nolan, Taylor and maybe even Cole a chance of hitting the target. Our defence looks very strong, with future England captain James Tomkins growing game upon game and a central midfield that would rival any non-top six side in the Premier League. A deep squad has also unravelled with options all over the pitch that would be key if survival was the aim for Big Sam and credit has to go to him along with the owners.
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Couldn’t disagree with you more, we have been so poor at home this season 50% win rate, outdated tactics that play into the hands of a reasonably organised defence of any bottom half championship side. With a manager that committed to playing football I do agree that this squad might survive in the PL. Big Sam’s long ball game will mean that UP will continue to be a happy hunting ground for opponents if we go up. Sorry if I am being negative but this football is killing me!
Tony I totally agree, this season has been poor to say the least, I honestly think we are worse than last season and we would not win a game with the side we have out this term, I look at the sides who went up last season, how would we fare against them and I honestly see 6 defeats, so Brad I would have to disagree with your article