After last Saturday’s dismal second half performance at Norwich City, the Hammers find themselves only above the relegation zone on goal difference after 11 games. So with only two wins (and one in the last 10), with a pitiful 8 goals so far, is it time for fans to accept that we are destined to be in a Premier League relegation scrap this season?
Personally I think it’s far too early to think this despite the obvious concerns that there are. It is always difficult to see positives when the team isn’t getting results and especially considering the pathetic collapse we witnessed at Carrow Road last time out, but I’m going to give it a try!
The first thing to say is that the league is so condensed this season that a couple of wins on the spin could easily see us flying up the table. Indeed 10th place West Bromwich Albion are only four points ahead of us, and yet pundits and supporters are praising the start the Baggies have made this campaign. I also think that our performances so far have probably warranted a greater points tally than we have actually achieved. In the matches against Newcastle United, Hull City and Aston Villa we were the better team, yet failed to win any of those. And for the first half at Norwich, we were utterly dominant, until the bizarre turnaround in the second. Undoubtedly the failings in each of those games were down to the much-publicised lack of striking quality. I lost count of the number good balls into the box against Villa from Stewart Downing for example, but no one was there to get on the end of them. We can only hope that Andy Carroll makes his long awaited comeback soon, and stays fit the rest of the season. In the meantime we could do with Kevin Nolan rediscovering his goal scoring touch.
This may seem like an odd thing to say, but in addition, has it actually been as bad a start to the season as it appears? I think most fans would agree that last year was a fairly successful season for the Hammers, finishing in 10th place. Yet when comparing the results of this season to those in the corresponding fixtures last campaign, it is interesting to see how close they actually are in terms of points achieved. Leaving aside the two newly promoted teams we have played so far in Cardiff City and Hull City (of which we won one and lost one), we have obtained only three less points in the games played.
Another reason why we shouldn’t be too worried at this stage is because we have Big Sam as manager. Throughout his managerial career he has always found results even in the most difficult of circumstances e.g. when he took over a Blackburn Rovers side in relegation trouble in 2008. Indeed he has never been relegated in 11 years of managing in the top flight, despite never having access to the best players. Since Allardyce has been at West Ham, whilst there are criticisms to be had of him, he hasn’t really steered us wrong yet and I have faith that he will get us through this sticky period; the first since he took over.
Ultimately, it is not the time to panic and believe we are in for a relegation scrap this season. There is still a lot of time for us to find our winning touch, and we are well within touching distance of a lot of teams above us. That being said if we are in a similar position come the New Year, I may change my view on this. The main thing for the fans to do is to try and stay positive and patient, and most importantly continue to keep behind the team as we have been doing brilliantly so far.
I would like to think you are right, but weigh it all up. Carroll out, Reid out, Nolan undropable!! Saturday was a low ebb for me. The second half was unbelievably bad. Lack of confidence, lack of belief and most worryingly this early in the season a lack of fight. BFS never relegated, all records go at some point, but lets hope you are right and he works some magic.
I want to be positive but feel we need Carrol back lively ! to really avoid a fight. I do think palace,fulham,sunderland and one or two others are probabley worse than us but it is a joke no fit strikers for weeks at a time in a prem club is not acceptable even in the Sunday league. I do like BS and think he is the man to move us forward. I dont think he is all long ball or an idiot with no plan B is Caroll gonna be fit this season tell us the truth ?
When was the last time we won 2 on the bounce?
A good article, although, there is a major problem some aspects of your optimism. Andy Carroll doesn’t look like returning anytime soon. In fact, I wouldn’t be surprised if he didn’t return at all this season.
As for winning two games in the spin, I don’t think we’ve achieved that in something like 50 Premier League games.
I hope you’re right. I hope to be proved wrong and Carroll makes some sort of remarkable recovery and returns with no signs of rustiness, seeing as he’s not played a competive match or taking part in pre-season for 6 months.
Let’s hope we can look back and wonder what all the fuss was about come the end of the season.
I think the team has to move on from Andy Carroll, in fact they are seen as a more polished side without him as was evident in the 1st half against Norwich. Maybe get Andy fit and sell him, as a friend said to me when we were trying to buy Andy, who I didn’t agree with at the time that Carroll wasn’t the answer, but after 4 injuries in 1 year, yeah sell him and develop who we’ve got and buy well in the January transfer window
I would like think in a positive way to James Cokers story, but he like so many keep talking about Carroll as if this bloke can score at will and that is not so, we are in trouble and I hate to think that DG and DS will blindly follow Sam like they did with Grant.
Some. Interesting points made here. Andy Carroll will not return from injury and start banging them in and its seeming like we may have overpaid lets face it he is never going to be prolific. Also there maybe worse teams than us,but we’ve been there before as well and have been relegated with a far superior squad than this current one.Granted Bs has got a good record of not being relegated.But we shouldn’t be where we are.Sam bought badly this. Summer and hasn’t improved the squad. We need to sort this come january.
“In the matches against Newcastle United, Hull City and Aston Villa we were the better team, yet failed to win any of those. And for the first half at Norwich, we were utterly dominant, until the bizarre turnaround in the second” – This sounds like the fat mans weekly email. Fact is, better than them or not, we DID’NT win them, and they are games we need three points in. As for winning two in a row, like others have said, we ain’t managed that for over 50 Premier League games. Your defence of the fat man is laughable. He needs outing for the mess he has us in. To sanction/request the signing of Downing over a striker is gross negligence in my opinion
I also think that West ham FC should be sold to richer owners. I mean someone who has the money & influence to do a deal and buy the Olympic stadium outright and turn this club in a “Real Big Club” and buy world class players. Stop summing it West Ham. Oh & Someone else asked; when was the last time we had back to back wins? Well Sam has never acheived that in the Premier League with West Ham. I think even Avram Grant achieved that!
Sorry, I mean’t to say stop slumming it West Ham, as in, if the owners can’t afford good players? then they should sell this club while the club still exists??
For me, people have banged on for months about us not signing a striker in the summer, and yes that is a bit silly when you look at our resources to call upon, but forgiveable also in my opinion as we had Carroll, Maiga, and arguably Nolan to lead the attack if needed. However, this I feel is unforgivable…….1) Maiga, was not good enough in the Championship, yet they take him into the premiership, insult to the fans. CANT SELL HIM? LOAN HIM! 2) Who at the club honestly believed Carroll would stay fit and injury free all season? And would put away enough goals to put games in the bag? My guess is nobody! 3) The number of players that went elsewhere after being linked as number 1 targets, and Jack Sullivan gobbling of to all in sundry about the what used to be cloak and dagger affair of signing players. Haven’t the club learnt their lesson after the Martin O’Neill fiasco? 4) Kevin Nolan was vital in the championship, BFS brought him in as he new inexperienced defences and keepers would be hoodwinked by him in that role more often than not. The premier league is nobody’s fool, it is built on , skill, tactics, and speed. Kevin Nolan labours around the pitch and it therefore feels like we are playing with 10 players. He is out of form, and the fact Sam would rather see him in the team, than play one of our youngsters like Elliot Lee who has speed and a natural eye for goal, and is obviously a striker, leads me to question his judgment and decision making.
I really believe we will be ok, as we do boast some quality players and an ability to play some great football, but without strikers, and a manager that doesn’t like change, we also will have to depend on mother luck.
One thing is for sure…..we are West ham Utd, and we won’t go with a whimper. COYI