Lately this much heralded term has been bandied about from fans and the media alike; Big Sam certainly doesn’t understand the clamour for it or even what it is. So just what is the ‘West Ham Way?’
I’m going to have a stab at defining it and after 20 odd years supporting the Irons I reckon the West Ham way we all hold so dear is a myriad of idea/beliefs/philosophies; firstly its football on the floor, into feet, pass and move; despite what Big Sam decree’s we have played in this style in recent years, under Zola we truly played some lovely stuff, predominantly in the 08/09 season. Anyone remember Carlton Cole’s winner up at Wigan that season? A perfect example of how the fans want to see West Ham play.
Secondly its attacking football; going out to attack the opposition at all times, trying to score at every opportunity, never setting your stall out to sit back and frustrate, but instead to go for the jugular at every opportunity regardless whether you’re home or away.
Thirdly the West Ham way is to incorporate the graduates from our much celebrated academy into this system. This has consistently happened throughout the history of the club and is a tradition we can rightly be proud of. How many teams within the realms of English football have consistently produced the quality young players that West Ham have?
So there it is, the ‘West Ham way’ in a nutshell. Now whilst the aforementioned is an idealistic and noble style in which to play our football. It hasn’t yielded a trophy since 1980. We’ve been close since then (oh so close in ’06) and I’m not for one moment suggesting that we abandon the beliefs and philosophies the club stands for; but what I am saying is that for the remaining fixtures let’s put tradition on the back burner and just put all our efforts into supporting the team and getting back to where we need to be.
Sam Allardyce was appointed West Ham United manager to get us out of the Championship ASAP; the wider traditions of the club are not within his remit at this moment in time.
Promotion is and by any means necessary.
Another great and sensible post. I agree with you 100% and so do the majority of the Hammers fans that have the club at heart
Sam and the team are doing a great job.
Prem here we come.
2-0 today COYI
At last after all the fuss and profundity the West Ham way explained in an easy to understand and concise manner, a great article. I think too many of us have been profoundly affected unnecessarily.I have seen some excellent passing amid the odd ‘hoof’ this season and maybe we will never see again the likes of Malcolm Allison, John Bond ,Noel Cantwell and god himself, of course, Bobby Moore but the West Ham Way is a legacy to be proud of and one we should aspire to maintain. However, for the rest of the season, play winning football and I think with Sam, we are in very good hands.
England v Hungary (1953) was an international football game played on 25 November 1953. The game was played between Hungary – then the world’s number one ranked team, the Olympic champions and on a run of 24 unbeaten games – and England, then the world’s number three ranked team, the inventors of the game and unbeaten at home for 90 years against sides from outside the British Isles.
Hungary won the game 6-3; England were shown to be technically and tactically inferior to the Hungarian side. The result led to a review of the antiquated training and tactics used by the England team, and the subsequent adoption of continental practises at an international and club level in the English game.
The Hungarian team lined up in the 2-3-3-2 formation pioneered by their coach, Gusztáv Sebes. József Bozsik played in the deep lying midfield position, with Nándor Hidegkuti free to roam between midfield and attack. Ferenc Puskás and Sándor Kocsis were the strikers, with the width provided by Zoltán Czibor and László Budai.
Ron Greenwood built a successful European Cup Winners Cup side at West Ham based on the Hungarian team principles.
Hear hear, great to hear some intelligent comments coming through and lets hope Sam and the boys can do it for us today! I for one will be blowin’ bubbles forever – keep positive!! COYI’s
I agree with every comment, but do we want to see this football in the premiership
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-zTA-w8w98Y
you can see the passion, not only in play, but on Zola’s face, there’s nothing like that just now…
The West Ham way lives on in all good footballing sides around the globe, to entertain.. Without the West Ham way, it could be said, the modern game would be a different kettle of fish.
If you look at the Barcelona side of today, its a nod to the West Ham way.