da brdice： From an outsiders point of view West Ham United appear to be having an extremely good season.
da pinnacle： The Hammers sit 9th in the Premier League and in December fans were dreaming of the possibility of a Champions League or Europa League place next season. Even though they have now slipped to mid-table, they seem to have overachieved, so what on earth could be wrong?
Last week West Ham’s Vice Chairwoman, Karren Brady, was reported to have said she was unhappy with Hammers boss, Sam Allardyce saying that the club are under-achieving and if things did not improve he could be facing the sack.
Talking in her column for the Sun newspaper she wrote:
“Someone says in the press today that we flattered to deceive up to Christmas – but I 100 per cent disagree. The fact is that West Ham are underachieving and it is Sam Allardyce’s task to identify the reason and rectify it. He would wish it no other way.”
So is Brady right to be concerned about the slip in form or should she be happy with where they sit in the League?
The team started really well but they do not appear to be finishing well. The Hammers are on a dismal run of form which has seen them fall from European contention to mid-table in the space of two months. If the League table showed current form they would sit in 15th only 2 points above the relegation zone. Before beating struggling Sunderland 1-0 last weekend, the Hammers went eight games without a win.
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Things have been getting tougher for Allardyce as people involved in the club got frustrated that the high bar he set could not be maintained. They expected that bar to remain constant throughout the season but the standard has started to slip. Allardyce’s contract is up at the end of the season and he was obviously hoping for it to be extended but talks haven’t even begun towards a new deal.
West Ham have been growing from strength to strength since they were promoted in 2012. After finishing 13th last season, the club was hoping to carry on improving – and they have! This season has seen them beat Manchester City as part of a 100% unbeaten October record and they have achieved some great results playing attractive football. Sam Allardyce has really made his side work and while their form has slipped it is important to remember this is only their third season back in the Premier League.
What we see at West Ham is what we see most seasons in the Premier League: they have been found out. Other teams didn’t know how to play against them during the first half the season. West Ham could offer up a surprise. But now that teams know their style they can defend against it.
I think Brady needs to remember where West Ham came from, and while it is important to dream and aim for the highest possible outcome, it is also important to be a little more grounded.
I think it would take a while to adjust if Sam Allardyce was no longer in charge. In the last few years he has made that job his own and what he is doing is clearly working. Every year they have gone one step better. Perfection takes time and they are getting closer every year.
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