Sunday 10 May 2009

Worst Underachievement This Season? Tottenham, Liverpool, Chelsea, Newcastle, Man City or Arsenal?


This is a genuine question. Which of the clubs in the headline have "enjoyed" the worst season in 2009-10? A strong case can be made for each.

Let's begin with the obvious candidates, Newscastle. Monday is make or break time for the carToons and I can see their game of the season ending in a draw. If that happens, Newscatle really could be heading back to the Fizzy Pop, a desperately sad fate for a genuinely "Big" club. Newscastle, like Tottenham, should be held up as an example of what not to do if you want to succeed in football. Look at all the successful clubs down the years and there are two key components - stability at management level and developing home grown talent: Liverpool built a dynasty, an empire; Arsenal had a system and grafted on new players gradually over the years; Manchester United, of course, have had Ferguson and all of their success has grown out of the Beckham, Giggs, Scholes and Butt generation. Chelsea are the exception but then have Chelsea really enjoyed success? In terms of return for the money spent, the answer is arguably no. Meanwhile, the Barcodes have changed managers more often than the girls in the city change their underwear and don't seem to have any form of youth policy whatsoever. The result has been disastrous. King Kevin, King Owen, King Al, the monarchs come and fail but still the mistakes are repeated over and over and over again.

But has this year really seen Newcastle underachieve? Well the frightening truth is that, looking at the team, they are pretty much where they should be in the table. Tell me, now Given has gone, is there anybody in that Newcastle team who merits the description "pure class" or "brilliant" or even "a very good Premiership player"? Owen should be, but Owen is playing like a shot bolt, a broken thoroughbred with two lame hocks. Martins was meant to be, but I saw him playing in Italy before Newcastle signed him and I wasn't impressed. And apart from those? Mediocre is perhaps a generous description of the rest - a mixture of once weres, hoped to bes, might once have beens and never ever will bes. Underachievement? No, Newcastle's position represents a par performance for me, that's why I placed a bet on them to be relegated in December.

How about Man City? Well it is too early to judge. I desperately want City to fall flat on their faces but I suspect that won't happen. They have retained Hughes despite the temptation to get rid and stability is a key component for success as I have said. Also kids are coming through - Ireland, Richards, Johnson, Sturridge, with more waiting in the wings. When you look at the side, it is good already and will get better in the summer. Yes this season has been disappointing but the project is less than a season old. If the season has been used for "bedding in" the new signings, then it could be seen retrospectively as the prelude to a Caligula style orgy of excess. City dreams of Champions League football may not just be wet dreams after all!

The case for Chelsea is strong. Third place and an FA Cup is not good enough (assuming they beat Everton) but they were robbed by an appalling referee against Barcelona. Had Chelsea made it to the final for the second season running, that would have been acceptable, even if they then failed to win it. Something odd has been going on at Stamford Bridge. Abromovitch hasn't been chucking the money around as before and it may be, just may be, that he is getting bored with his little blue toy. who knows, he might be about to chuck his toys out of his pram, in which case, this year will be remembered fondly by Chelsea fans as one of the "death throws" of the Big Blue Monster.

Chelsea play Arsenal today in the smallest "big game" in the history of football. Chelsea will finish third by default, because Arsenal are not good enough, and Arsenal fourth because Villa ran out of steam. Today's match is of no consequence. And, like Liverpool, Arsenal will win zilch again this season. But is this underachievement? When you look at what Wenger has spent and the players he has lost, you have to say that Arsenal have done well to hold on to the coat tails of the bigger clubs above them. Based on transfer expenditure, Tottenham are now much the bigger of the two North London clubs, so Arsenal finishing so far ahead of their hated rivals is a triumph in itself. Add in a semifinal appearance in the Champions League and you have to say that this season represents, at worst, a par performance. Far from underachieving, this Arsenal side has over-performed and had they bought Arse Shavings last summer, they might have enjoyed a fantastic season. One thing is for sure, the Russian is the signing of the season. Spurs must be kicking themselves for not bidding higher when they were in the running for his signature. Moderateric or Arse Shavings, I know who I would rather have!

"Liverpool? Underachievers?" I can hear the Scousers squeal, "We stuffed your mob 3-0 yesterday!". Yes you did, and yes the performances in the last few weeks have been outstanding, but what happened in the middle third of the season when the pressure built up? Liverpool, from the manager down, cracked under the strain. What will Liverpool win this season? Absolutely nothing yet again, and that is disgraceful given the money spent and the presence of Torres and Gerrard in the team, two genuine World Class players. The brutal truth is this - Benitez has spent a massive amount to take Liverpool precisely nowhere this season. Second is not good enough. A quarter final exit in the Champions League is not good enough. Exiting the FA Cup to Everton is not good enough. Ok, the League Cup isn't worth mentioning unless you are a Tottenham fan, I accept. And who is to blame? The guy that no Liverpool fan seems to want to criticise. Benitez has blown it with poor rotation policies, poor signings and his stupid rant about the Mancs. You could hear Fergie sniggering as Benitez made his outburst. "Remember Keegan?" he must have said to his wife. "Here we go again!"

So Liverpool are my number two underachievers. No surprise in that, second is the best they can hope for in any competition these days!

And so we come to Tottenham "We are in Eighth and Above West Ham" Lukewarmspur. Let's wind the clock back to last summer. Do you remember? After signing Bentley, dos Santos, Gomes and Modric, this was finally going to be the year! Tottenham were going to finish above Arsenal and qualify for the Champions League. What could stop them? The team was brilliant and led by one of the greatest, most exciting, most tactically astute managers in the game. Oneday had guaranteed This Day, the Cockyfools would be crowing from the rooftops come May 2009. And what happened? I shouldn't laugh because my ribs were bruised in a footy game last week but honestly, the performance over the season has been truly risible!

A season that began with Arsenal in their sights is ending with the Cockyfools crowing because they might finish above West Ham. A season that began with Champions League aspirations has been spent largely securing Premiership survival. A season of hope turned into a season of angst and anguish. A season that began with a tactical giant as a manager is ending with Flash 'Arry in charge! Laugh, I could shit myself, but that's what Tottenham do when they come close to a successful season!

All that money spent and Tottenham are crowing about sitting in eighth place and that is underachievement with a capital U. So Cockyfools, crow away, you have won a trophy this season after all, the Top Underachievers. But hang on, that's a title you win nearly every season anyway!

59 comments:

Anonymous said...

sorry mate, im a big west ham fan but i got to be honest, im not a big fan of your articles on this website. i am certainly not for one to agree with other fans-especially rivals, but i do think you should give the articles up. It does seem as though you are living in a dream world where we will win the league next year. Its not gonna happen. give it a few more years, then maybe and you can start doing this articles again. but untill then, maybe you should think about giving it up ?

Hammersfan said...

Why? Do you disagree with the article? Who do you think are the biggest underachievers? A club I fail to mention?

Anonymous said...

What a load of garbage re Liverpool. You say they should have done better in the League because they've got Torres and Gerrard, well no doubt they would have done if they'd had both fit to play more games - the pair have only started about 10 League games together this season. Moving up from being 4th last season to 2nd this, best points tally in almost 20 years, Premier Leagues top scorers - pretty good progress I'd say and far from being disappointing. Benitez may have spent a lot of money his squad costa lot less than that of Chelsea and Man Utd. I think you need to do a bit more research my friend.

essexyid said...

no matter how many times people tell you to give it a rest on the visitor fishing and the spurs bashing, you don't.

you've made about 20 references to spurs spending money over the last week. get over it!

oh and no spurs fan is crowing about finishing above wet spam. most spurs fans don't care about europe, and certainly don't care about whether wet spam finish above us. all that's important is we got ourselves out of the worst start we've had in history, and have shown how good we can be by climbing back up to where we are now, without really coming out of first gear in most matches.

Unknown said...

Wow, chip on your shoulder at all?
I can't believe i just wasted 5 minutes of my life reading through that ill-informed heavily biased cat turd of an "article".

Spurs season hasn't panned out as well as hoped granted, but to say it has been a bigger underachievement than Newcastles shows just how blinkered you are.

Spurs have gone from being in danger of being cast adrift at the bottom of the premiership, to being in with a shout at gaining a UEFA cup spot with two games remaining. Had the season begun when Redknapp took over we would have only been a couple of points behind Arsenal.

Newcastle meanwhile are as good as relegated should they lose on Monday, despite expectations of a push for the UEFA cup this season.

Let's do the maths shall we:
Spurs aim for 4th/5th and get 7th-10th.
Newcastle aim for 5th-7th and get 17th-19th.

Try and wrap your pea brain around that one. Moron.

Anonymous said...

Spurs did a double this season

West Ham 0 Spurs 2
Spurs 1 West Ham 0

Anonymous said...

You really do have it in for Spurs don't you but actually, they are only second in my book of under achievers. Newcastle top the list by a long way despite your attempts to rig the vote in favour of your pet hate.

scanlen

surespur said...

I wasn't exactly hard to predict the winner, sorry, your winner before getting to the end of the first paragraph. Priceless, coming from someone who presumably assumes to represent a group of fans who were singing "Champions League here we come" after the dubious signing of a couple of Agentinians. Remind me, where did you finish that Season?

Life of Iron said...

I'm a WHU and I'm very surprised that the spurs fans rise to the bait of this author, and just slate west ham lets be honest no west ham fan would write articles like this knowing that his team was going to get such abuse, But back to yhe article I feel Lfc have had a great season AFC and CFC got to the semi finans of the champions league (no mean feat) and finished in places to play there again next year,man City are just at the start of a new era for them so not them either, spurs had a dreadful start to the season and as I expected turned it around, so that leaves newcastle and I think even their fans will admit they have had a mare mainly down to the new owner walking into the board room a pressing the self destruct button so my vote is newcastle,
But I would like to say to all the fans of other teams PLEASE don't lambaste WHU and the fans just because one person you all have pals that are WHU fans and I'm sure you don't do that to them, banter is great and good for football but full on abuse is not right,(anyway thats my rant over) good luck to everyone for the rest of the season!!!

Anonymous said...

hammersfan you really do sum up most west ham fans....your hatred of tottenham cant be hidden...this article was little more than a cover to have a dig at spurs...the venom in your post is there for everyone to see....its enbarressing. yet again a bitter jealous hammer...spurs with big money, big stadium being built, big future....while west ham is summed up by their current chairman

actionjackson said...

Another West Ham blog that barely makes mention of West Ham. Rather than concentrating on negative aspects of other teams why don't you write something about your own club for a change. West Ham have had a great season after taking a massive risk on the unproven Zola. You've got great players like Collison coming through the ranks. Surely there's a wealth of positive things to write about as a West Ham fan, but no you'd rather spend your time writing this drivel about every other club in the Premiership, especially Tottenham.

Anonymous said...

Liverpool have 80 points with two games to play, have lost only twice. Quite how this is under achievement is beyond me. To describe it as such is naive or plain idiotic.

Redshadow said...

And what precisely is THAT piece of rubbish blog entry meant to do - other than wind up Spurs and Newcastle fans and embarrass other West Ham fans that is?

I'm surprised you've even mentioned my team (Liverpool) and events at the top of the table since it's only a couple of years ago that you had to rely on a biased commission's findings to even STAY in the bloody PL!! So you've got a cheek to now needle us for not winning it.

But allow me to entertain your pathetic 'arguments' for 2 minutes which is all it will take to demolish them as they deserve. "2nd place is all we can hope for these days" is it? What like in 2005 when we won the CL? Or 2006 when we beat YOU no less in the Cup Final? That's 'these days' no? And we weren't second then were we? Fact is since 2000 on average every 3 or 4 years or so we've won something - I wouldn't call that being second no? And in fact since 2000, we've won EVERYTHING bar one trophy - the league title.

And this season in jumping from 4th to second with 20 odd more points than we had last season - only TWO defeats all season (we only had four last season including somehow losing at your place) we've shown that unlike Chelsea in 2004 when they finished 2nd in Abramovich's first year - we WON'T be waiting 50 odd years for our first title - In fact, there's a good case for us to be made as joint Title Favourites next season.

It was inexperience in title race matters that caused our blip (I wouldn't call 3 draws cracking no? ) in January and even then we've RETAKEN the leadership of the table NINE times SINCE February in the period February - May; You think we did a 'Keegan 1996' do you? Since when did Newcastle BATTER the living daylights out of Man U Home and Away that season AND continually retake top spot from them after Keegan's 'rant'? Didn't, did they? Our so-called 'cracking' means that the most United can win it by is 6 points - hardly an insurmountable gap and quite an achievement for a side that finished as far behind as we did in 2008 no?

Fact is Rafa' is cut out for the type of psychological warfare Fergie so loves as shown by the fact Fergie hasn't shut up about us for months now (he only speaks of those who threaten United) whereas Keegan? Well, really I'm surprised he lasted as long as he did - so fragile was he mentally.

As to us now? Well, we have the experience of a title race now (you have to learn how to ride a bike before speeding off on a Harley and we had to realearn what was once second nature to us until 1991 - we've done that now); We've also got a good, strong team with cover in most areas that will no doubt be added to in the summer. Yes, I think we have the necessary base now (best midfielder, striker and goalkeeper in the league), all we have to do is build on it.

Which is more than I can say for West Ham after their pathetic excuse for a 'performance' yesterday. Worry about your own team mate before you think of criticising others.

Liverpool will win prizes and titles and first places enough in the years to come, you needn't worry about that - You're witnessing the dawn of a new power in football at Anfield and even Fergie knows that - Why do you think he hasn't shut up about us this season? And you know what? He's right to be worried.........................

Anonymous said...

Check out your Jamie Carragher rant I'm keen on reading your reply! Which is fairly shocking on the basis that your blogs are useless.

spooky said...

Another fishing trip.

You do realise that the irony of the money we spend on players failing to equate to success on the pitch is not actually lost on us?

JohnnyB said...

For a moment there I actualy thought I was going to read an objective article...but it just turned out to be more Spurs bashing! Anyone who has the slightest knowledge of the game will have Newcastle as this seasons underachievers. There are only 2 ways you can conclude it to be Spurs, 1)You consider the season to be over after the first 8 games or 2)You are a West Ham fan who writes a blog designed soley to bait Spurs fans with your ill thought comments. So tell me again, how did you come to that conclusion...?

Hammersfan said...

There is a huge irony in this "yo hate Spurs" nonsense. I was accused on a West Ham forum of being a "secret Spud". I actually hold Tottenham in high regard for the way you play your football - but utter contempt at the same time because of your "buy a team to win and sack the manager when we don't" mentality. Waddle, Hoddle, Perryman, Knowles, Chivers, Gilzean, Lineker, Gascoigne, Berbatov, King, Keane - hold them all in very high regard. But the last two seasons? Appointing 'Arry? You've lost your class in my book!

The article is serious. I had a punt on Newcastle to be relegated because I did expect them to struggle. Look at their team, not the club's name! On the other hand, I predicted Tottenham or Villa would pip Arsenal to 4th place before the season kicked off. I genuinely think that Tottenham are the biggest underachievers in the division!

Anonymous said...

Can I have my 5 minutes back please?

Hammersfan said...

Sure 1645, but won't your right wrist be totally exhausted after a full 5 minutes? ; }

Anonymous said...

let me guess, you had a bet on newcastle to go down last week. you didnt back them at start of the season, you have to be 18 to gamble.
biggest underachievers has to be man city. they spend 34million on 1 player and are still no better than west ham.

Hammersfan said...

Back in December - £20 in double with England to win World Cup. Pays £1200 if it comes up. Try to find those odds now!

Unknown said...

Say what you like about liking elements of Spurs, it doesn't matter. The point is that you just wrote an entire article purely for the purpose of bashing the club. You're argument for them being the biggest underachievers is extremely shaky (i haven't seen one person in agreement yet) and even when discussing the other nominees you were bashing Spurs.
Grow the hell up and start writing about you're own club rather than constantly putting down other peoples.I have no qualms with West Ham, in fact the only teams i like to see lose are Arsenal and Chelsea. Yet i wouldn't go out and write an entire article criticising them whilst trying to use a "biggest underachievers" facade to justify it.

Newcastle are the biggest underachievers this season by a country mile, anyone will tell you that, Toon fans included. Their team on paper at the start of the season was just as strong as West Hams.
Middlesbrough, Portsmouth, Blackburn and Spurs have also underachieved this season. Arsenal and Man City may also have expected more.
There you go, in two paragraphs I've summarised what this article would have been saying had it not been written by an idiot.

Hammersfan said...

You dont even reach a conclusion!

Unknown said...

Erm, i think "Newcastle are the biggest underachievers this season by a country mile" qualifies as a conclusion to an article titled "Who are the biggest underachievers this season?". Dumbass.

Anonymous said...

one word sum up this article, as with all the other Hammersfan articles: "pathetic"

Anonymous said...

hammersfan i always laughed at your articles and realised you where after hits not serious west ham disscussion....but this brings you to a new low......ffs! come on bro!....you have ridiculed yourself!

Anonymous said...

you are some kind of fist. Why are there so many articles on this site that are just baiting opposition fans?

Hammersfan said...

It is not baiting opposition fans, it is a genuine assessment from my point of view. What do you disagree with in the article exactly? Happy to debate any individual points.

real hammer for 35yrs said...

i must say you and your article are an embarrassment to our club and supporters! do you not think our club has been through enough over the last couple of season's without turning the few who thought west ham and their fans were ok against us? ok so i understand there is banter between west ham and sp*rs and thats ok, but to keep on at them with your pointless drivle and pathetic statements is just asking for trouble (even from your own fans).it's people like you that start wars because you cannot distinguish between your (and our)dreams and reality. your a liitle boy with a big mouth! i think you should have an early night because you seen tired, get your mummy to make you your coco watch your sponge bob dvd ! i for one wont be comming back to read a little boys view of a mans game!! and please if anyone asks you who you support ? dont say west ham!!!

Hammersfan said...

I do support West Ham. You should go back to school though mate, your spelling is truly dreadful! Comming? That is a new low! If you have been a supporter for 35 years, you must have had a very bad education. I'm surprised you managed to read all the big words in the article. I can say all this without fear of a reply because you won't be "comming back" of course!

TrevorH said...

Another pointless article from a pointless website. I am a West Ham fan and I really cannot understand the juvenile digs against Tottenham. Liverpool number 2 underachievers? Does this character know anything about football? They are the 2nd best team in the country and Man Utd are just that much stronger.

Right Hammersfan! Debate the following...

How can the 2nd best team in the country with a weaker squad than Man Utd be considered as underachievers?

Now onto Tottenham. Decent run in Europe, Carling Cup Final, may still qualify for Europe again. Poor start to the season and we all have views on Redknapp. Underachievers? I think not.

Why these two ahead of Newcastle and Middlesbrough? And Sunderland who have spent tons of money?

Will you confirm whether you consider your remarks against Tottenham to be unbiased and not personal cause you don't like them?

lastly, and honestly please, how many times do you go to Upton Park and/or away games each season?

Hammersfan said...

Not so often to UP because I am a season ticket holder at White Hart Lane Trevor mate.

Sunderland bought crap. Tottenham didn't.

Re Liverpool - they were in the box seat and blew it. It is not just finishing 2nd in the Prem as I say, it is winning NOTHING. Chelsea did them in the Champions League and will probably end up with a trophy. So Liverpool have failed by that lesser yardstick too. They are in a league of only 3 clubs at the top there and, adding it altogether, will finish bottom of the 3. What's that if not massive underachievement?

Anonymous said...

Your a complete tool...

TrevorH said...

Are you serious about season ticket at WHL?

As expected, you haven't debated any points. And I am not your mate.

Man Utd are better than Liverpool and they have finished above them. How can they be considered underachievers? Someone has to finish 3rd out of 3!

Sunderland brought some decent players, they weren't crap.

Bringing back Keane, Defoe and Chimbomba - decent PL players but not top class. Modric is good, no doubt about it. Your goalie? Sometimes. Bent?

Don't overestimate the quality of your players. Tottenham at best will challenge 7th spot. With a good start maybe 6th spot. A poorish season is not underachieving. I will concede that they may finish above West Ham this season and possibly next season as well because they have a stronger squad.

Comments about Middlesbrough and Newcastle? Or have you conceded that these are bigger underachievers than Tottenham and Liverpool?

I will ask again. Are your remarks directed against Tottenham unbiased? You didn't respond.

Finally I do accept that we all have different opinions and there is nothing wrong with that. However, your opinions seemed to be based on personal grudges and not established facts, or even based on sensible points that can be debated.

Espyid said...

It's very true what you say that spurs are underachieving but we are doing it while being above west ham still lmfao. At least we have a goal so we can underachieve trying to achieve that goal west spam just try to avoid being relegated. So just to recap spurs-crap season-did double on spammers-had 3 good cup runs = above west ham west ham-best season since drop=below spurs. Stop kidding yourself matey and think about what you write.

Hammersfan said...

I deal with Newcastle in the article. Boro are where they should be, they are crap. Tell me, who in the Sunderland team outside of Kenwyne possibly, would be wanted by a top 10 team? Why do you think they are at Blunderland?

3rd in a three horse race? Fantastic performance. I take it back, Liverpool have done brilliantly having met the very lowest expectation!

If I think of you as my mate you are my mate. Mate.

Hammersfan said...

Esp - West Ham have not underachieved, the debate was about underachievers. I agree that Tottenham should be finishing above West Ham. Look at what has been spent!

TrevorH said...

You have made your choices and we disagree. The majority of the other posters will disagree as well but thats life.

I read recently in one of your articles that you asked Celtic Hammer and someone else not to make it personal and I will try and refrain from doing so.

But one thing is clear, we are not mates and as the author of this article you should refrain from such childish comments which shows, in my humble opinion, both a lack of respect and an attempt at infantile humour.

Your manners are really not very good Hammersfan.

Anonymous said...

Hammersfan - "Re Liverpool - they were in the box seat and blew it. It is not just finishing 2nd in the Prem as I say, it is winning NOTHING."

so if winning nothing equals underachieving then how can you go on to say...

Hammersfan - "West Ham have not underachieved, the debate was about underachievers"

answer that one

Hammersfan said...

Easy, Liverpool are in a league of 3, including MU and Chelsea. If Chelsea win a trophy, they will be above Liverpool in that league and MU are unquestionably are.

West Ham are either in a league featuring Everton, Villa, Tottenham and ourselves, in which case we have underachieved, or, more realistically, one featuring Sunderland, Fulham, Newcastle, Wigan etcetera, by which criteria we have succeeded. Liverpool are expected to win trophies, we aren't.

Understand?

Hammersfan said...

My manners are impeccable Trevor mate. That's why I am always to happy to welcome you to this terrible blog. I value your contributions!

TrevorH said...

I have respectfully asked you not to refer to me as mate. What is your problem?

Still, at least I have respect. And thats not something that you will not know much about is it.

It is reassuring that the sponsor of this website and author of many articles does refer to this as a "terrible blog".

Unknown said...

Hammersfan does seem to come unstuck when someone responds to his drivel with some intellect. He completely failed to address the points i made in my reply, instead choosing to try and criticise it (and even getting that quite humorously wrong).

Note above that when an actual West Ham fan berated him for his childish viewpoints he criticised his grammar, the ultimate sign of a pompous ass who lacks the intellect to actually debate a matter. It's also highly hypocritical considering the fact that his own article is riddled with grammatical errors.

I'm guessing that hammersfan has decided that getting lots of hits makes him some kind of journalist, when actually anyone with any journalistic integrity would be appalled by this biased mess of an article.

Still haven't seen a positive comment yet by the way...

Hammersfan said...

Dan, please highlight the grammatical errors and I will correct them.

Anonymous said...

i'l do it for him - seems like you have a selective memory, clearly

"I do support West Ham. You should go back to school though mate, your spelling is truly dreadful! Comming? That is a new low! If you have been a supporter for 35 years, you must have had a very bad education. I'm surprised you managed to read all the big words in the article. I can say all this without fear of a reply because you won't be "comming back" of course!"

Unknown said...

I'm not going to waste 10 minutes of my life proof-reading your article for you, especially not when i just told you how much of a dick it makes someone look to do that. I'll give you a hint though, from where i'm typing my comment, i can see 3 grammatical mistakes in the second paragraph alone.

Once again you have failed to respond to anyone's points so i'm done wasting my time on you.
I'm sure you'll be popping up on my NewsNow spurs feed again, but i will do my utmost to avoid you.

Anonymous said...

apologies, misread the actual request

not to worry, can still find the grammatical errors made by Hammersfan...

Newscatle
Abromovitch
"death throws"
"yo hate Spurs"
always to happy

also - Moderateric? i'm guessing you mean Modric, but at the time we already had Modric in the bag at the beginning of the summer, and he himself has been one of our best players, and it was Pavyluchenko who we chose over Arshavin

Anonymous said...

i myself enjoy highlighting how a person is being hypocritical

i myself don't really care for spelling things correctly on forums and so never gloat about the education of others

however, if requested to do so by the person who is being hypocritical, then i find it amusing to oblige

Anonymous said...

missed one - "Newscastle"

Kwyjibo said...

Your points are bit all over the place Hammersfan. To pick an underachiever of the season you have to compare this years season with last years season. Blackburn and Portsmouth are battling it out for the honour. Statisticly they are both 7 places lower than their finishing places last year. To go from european places to scrapping it out in the relegation battle has to be bigger underachievemnet than going from bottom of the top for to pushing United to the wire for the title.

At the start of the season Liverpool were tipped to push into the top three and challange for the title. Liverpool have done fantastic this season. To be missing Torres and Gerrard partnership for the majority of the season and score the most goals this season is outstanding. It just shows how well they have done as a team. Yes they were top of the table at christmas and yes the pressure did get to them but nobody expected them to be there. And when it looked like they were gonna crumble completely they reignited their title push with an unbelievable 4-1 win at old trafford. They picked up 14 points out of 16 against the top 3 this season. They also narrowly missed out on a semifinal spot in the champions league.

On the other hand Arsenal have completely fallen apart. Yes they have had a lot of injuries this season but they are not the only ones. Liverpool, United and Chelsea have also missed key players for long speels this season and have done much better than them. They have gone from being title contenders to barely making the last champions league spot. They crumbled in the champions league when they finally faced a quality side. So i think its safe to say Arsenal have achieved less then Liverpool this season given they both had esactly the same goals at the start of the season.

One last point aswell. How anyone can expect a side to break into the top 4 when they sell they're two best players at the start of the season is insane. Tottenham were always gonna go backwards having sold Berbatov and Keane. They were always gonna struggle this season and thats exactly what happened. But in fareness to them. To go from relegation zone to 8th currently is quite an achievement. And statisticly they are currently 3 places higher and 2 points better off than they were at the end of last season. They have also scored 24 less goals then last season. Berbatov and Keane scored 30 between them last season. Coincidence i think not.

So Blackburn, Portsmouth or Arsenal. I think on merit Arsenal are the biggest underachievers this season. But if you want to argue about the whole money side of things then Man City have won underachiever of the year by a country mile.

Hammersfan said...

Newscastle is my nickname for the carToons - they are a castle of news. The spot on Newscatle was spot on, that was a typo. Moderateric is a pun on Modric and Moderate - bit above you I guess! Are the others from the article itself?

Hammersfan said...

Kwyjibo, great post mate. Some very valid points there. Ince did for Blackburn, happily, but Big Spam has had the 'Arry effect on them. I think they are now where they should be.

Arsenal are paying the price for their lovely new stadium. They are not the first to find that investing in the facilities in preference to the team can be an expensive error. But given the personnel available to Wenger, they are where they should be and got further in the Champions League than they should have done - unlike Liverpool. Look at how much Liverpool have spent when assessing their achievements!

Same applies to Tottenham. Keane is the common factor for both clubs. I said at the time that the deal made no sense to any of the parties involved - Keane wasn't worth to Liverpool what they were paying for him, he was worth far more to Spurs than they were receiving and it was never going to work for Keane as he is the big fish in the small pool type. Nobody forced Spurs to part with Barbatov and Keane without buying replacements. It was an act of madness but they did it, and left the Berbatov deal so late that there was no chance of finding a replacement. Didn't they sell Defoe because he couldn't play with Keane? So 'Arry reunites them! Brilliant!

Pompey were as good as down as soon as they appointed Adams. Ex Alcoholic coping with the pressure of managing a Premiership club? I think not! But Pompey overachieved under 'Arry and he knew it was all going to come unstuck, that's why he nearly jumped aboard the sinking Newscastle ship before joining Spurs.

I stick with my choices but I can see your arguments. Thanks for an intelligent contribution to the debate!

Anonymous said...

Like many articles on the great world wide web a basic corner-stone is missing. That is FACTS. When you talk about clubs spending money please give us the facts. For example got through the 16 most important players of each club and calculate how much they cost. Then you will have a fact to back up your point. Just don't say a team has spent alot because you thinks so!
This article is just a thought from a poor West ham fan who either is to lasy to do his work problable or more likly does not have the facts to back up his dogmatize.

Hammersfan said...

If we are talking lazy, how about you learn how to spell?

Anonymous said...

Congratulations "Hammersfan"....Everyone Hates You! Just like everyone hates the rest of the mongrel race you Hammers come from you nothing piece of shit.

Vanan said...

poor written with baseless sweeping statements.....liverpool underachievers?! haha...it's been progress if anything to go by..just refer to the number of points they improved by over the last couple of years..if that's not improvement, then what it..man united has just been that much better thatz all. so stop feeling blue and bitter after the weekend defeat, stop embarrassing the majority of the west ham fans and start feeling a sense of pride for your team as they gave an honest and good account of themselves and shld be, barring injuries, a strong contender for a europe spot under zola next season.

Hammersfan said...

Vanan, how many years have you been improving for now without winning the Premiership?

Vanan said...

haha...funny you shld mention that hammersfan.......for starters: something to ponder bout...united i mean manchester united went 26 years without winning a championship.....itz only been 19 years for liverpool..and a dun think we wld stretch it 26 years like man u.....atleast on the account of our progress in the premiership in the last couple of seasons......

Hammersfan said...

19 years counting this year, or will it be 20 in a week or so's time? A fifth of a century? That's a long time! Did the world wide web exist the last time your boys won the title? The Tories were certainly in power! My daughter was born in the same year, so it seems like a lifetime ago to her! That means Liverpool's title winning days ended with the fall of the Berlin Wall and the breakup of the Communist Block. Is that why you wear red?