As West Ham’s season took a fantastic turn in February picking up all 12 points available, and subsequently moving from in and around the relegation zone up to the top half, what exactly determines a successful season? Is it league position which determines success, all about where you finish in relation to the opposition, or is it all about a personal points tally in which to target?
As things stand West Ham sit just six points above relegation, but are also sitting in the top half of the table (largely thanks to a favourable goal difference). Come the end of the season is finishing 10th defined as a success and yet finishing 11th-15th (just a few points fewer as things stand) determines a failed season? Surely being better than ten sides in the Premier League is an achievement, regardless of any points tally we may have been aiming for?
At the start of the season, West Ham’s target, as said by Big Sam and the owners, was to better last season’s 10th place finish. Most fans would have gone along with that, and also realised that it is no easy feat to achieve. However, come the mid-point of the season with the Hammers sitting in the relegation zone, the majority of fans would have been happy to just stay afloat and remain in the Premier League. So does Premier League survival constitute a successful season, bearing in mind West Ham’s position just a few months ago?
West Ham’s targets may have been a little higher than 10th-15th, which is a likely finish for the Hammers on current form, but lady luck was by no means on our side in terms of injuries to key players all at the same time, and with that taken into consideration, we’ve done well to – temporarily at least – get ourselves out of the mess we were once in.
On the contrary, does spending a relatively large part of the season in and around the relegation zone constitute a failed season? We didn’t reach our target, regardless of any misfortune, which usually balances itself out come the end of the season anyway.
It is in no doubt that the owners and manager alike will want to be closer to Southampton and Newcastle United’s position, in terms of being completely clear from safety. That will remain the target, all being well.
What do you think? Is this season a failure, as we’ve already been involved in the relegation scrap? Does finishing in the top half constitute success, regardless of how close we are to the relegation places on points?
Let me know in the comments section below or by tweeting me at – @TheTobyFry.
This season….10th place and a point more than last season would be considered a success baring in mind all the injuries and suspensions we’ve suffered.