As we approach the final part of the season, the position that West Ham find themselves in is one that few would have expected but one that many people will take. We sit fifth in the Barclays Premier League and we have a FA Cup Quarter Final Replay against Manchester United at the Boleyn Ground to play. It seems that if we can get through that game, and I see no reason why not, we are in with a seriously good chance of progressing to the final and winning our first FA Cup since 1980.
I consider myself to be a realistic fan when it comes to expectations and I thoroughly believe the target now should be to get into the top 4 and get to the final of the FA Cup. Despite these high expectations, I don’t think that the season would be a disappointment if we fail to achieve the above objectives. This season is the most important in a number of years, considering we are moving to the Olympic stadium next season, the chairmen would have been forgiven for setting this seasons target as avoiding relegation.
However, in the position we are in now the season has already been a success. Firstly, the manager has been fantastic and refreshing. To see a man who has so much passion for the club is amazing, a complete contrast to Sam Allardyce. The recruitment has been equally impressive with Dimitri Payet the standout star of the premier league this year. But the likes of Lanzini, Antonio, Ogbonna and Obiang have also contributed to a memorable season, and a fitting farewell for Upton Park.
Finishing in the Europa league places would be a great achievement and I think all the fans would be excited about the prospect of some top European teams coming to the Olympic stadium in its first season. Having said that, the biggest achievement now in my opinion would be to lift the FA Cup. The historic competition is one that all fans want to win and since that famous day in Wales, we haven’t really come that close. But with the team playing as well as we are at the moment there is a real belief that this could be our year.
On a separate note, I wanted to express my disappointment that yet again, the English players at the club have been overlooked by Roy Hodgson and the selectors of the national side. I truly believe that our players, in particular Cresswell and Noble, deserve an opportunity to show the boss that they are good enough for international football. But maybe this is a blessing in disguise as they could pick up injuries and this would not be ideal considering our tough fixtures as the season concludes.
As always join the conversation below and discuss what you think would be a successful finish to the season. Plus, do you think that the English contingent at West Ham have been harshly overlooked? We want to hear from you!
COYI!
