Saturday, 26 September 2009

Into The Bottom Three


Hmmm. Remember how I warned before the season kicked off that we could struggle this season? Bollox, the C&B Klan yelled, top ten finish for sure, maybe top six even. I pointed out that we were weak up front, lacked cover for left back and didn't have a right back worthy of the name. No problems the C&B Klan screamed, Behrami can play right back and as for the lack of a goalscorer, in Zola we trust. Why do we need a replacement left back they demanded, when we have Ilunga who was ever present last season. I pointed out the danger of a slow start, the risk of setting the wrong tone at the start of the season, how we could be in for a repeat of the Great Escape year with no guarantees of a happy ending. I pointed out our dreadful goals per game record under Zola, I stressed the folly of needing to keep a clean sheet in order to win a game because we only averaged a goal a game. Scare mongering they yelled, there are loads of worse teams in the division - and Bolton and Wigan were both cited, two teams who have defeated us this season already.

Well look a the table guys. Look at the goals per game column. Worryingly, look at the goals against column in the last two games we have played against Premiership opposition - without Collins, a key figure in the amazing run that saw us secure the Great Escape. No Collins, no Neill to lead us on the pitch, no natural goal scorer to play up front. If City thump us on Saturday we will have 4 points from 6 games; in the Great Escape year we had 5 points after 6 games; and the sixth game that season? Man City away and, for the record, we lost 3-0.

Worried yet?

11 comments:

Savvakis said...

I hate to have to agree with you, but I do. One thing that is a lot worse this year is our ability to keep and pass the ball. Also, lack of fitness is a big factor. We seem to disintegrate and totally outran after about an hour. Also, the only part of the team we had working right was the partneship between Collins and Upson in the centre of the defence. And guess what? We decided to sell Collins with the naive excuse that we have cover in that position. I am sorry but it doesn't work like that. When you have a successful partnership, you build around it. You do not disturb the only area in the team that is working OK. I hope we do not struggle this year but we will need a lot more luck and thankfully more horror teams like Portsmouth and Hull to save us from the nightmare of another relegation struggle.

Hoodless Horseman said...

Isn't the whole point of being a WestHam fan knowing that really we're shyte, but because we love 'em we keep on blowing bubbles?
I reckon an average mid-table finish is in the stars for good old average WestHam, but the day we stop dreaming of Europe is the day pigs fly. Up the 'ammers!
We've got City on Monday by the way, not Saturday.

Deane said...

Nope I'm not worried been down with better teams stayed up with worse No point worrying nobody takes my advice Up Down shake it all about I'll be there COYI
I reserve my right to whinge though!

Duxbury's eyebrows said...

We haven't even played this weekend yet FFS. We have only played five games and you're talking about relegation already. I somehow knew that we would have a slow start, but that is all it is at the moment; A slow start! It's not like we are having a run like Portsmouth who after seven game have chalked up nil poire. We have only played two games at home and they have been difficult games such as Tottenham and Liverpool. Okay, we didn't play too well against Wigan, but we did get a draw away to Blackburn which IMO can be a difficult place to play at times. On the whole, I think that we are starting to play well unlike this time three years ago when we were playing worse than a drunken pub team and at some point soon, things will start to click into place where we will start to gain some momentum and we haven't had a fully fit squad this season yet. We'll be alright and you can mark my words on that and I'm sure that you will fanno.

Anonymous said...

I do believe Zola is the right manager for the club, but he is not a miracle worker. most of his best players have been sold to satisfy an Icelandic bank and replacing them with youth players and cheap imports just undermines any progress.
thankfully our wonderful youth system seems to be producing the goods again, but they not all ready for full time first team football yet.
yes we are in trouble,and I agree with most of your comments, but that is due to our ownership problems. until this issue is sorted and some investment made in the team we will struggle.

Anonymous said...

worried? nah, not really. you seem really happy though coz 'you been telling us all along', God you're a smug so and so.

Anonymous said...

Well done you were right, Iam sure you are very happy!!

Hammersfan said...

Happy? Far fom it! Right? Absolutely. Zola the right man to be in charge? I will comment on that!

B C Doshling said...

On Monday evening I shall be holding an open evening at which certain valuable documents and manuscripts will be available for general public perusal.

Anonymous said...

Well lets hope you are right and get relegated, it's all your scum-bag racist fans deserve.

Anonymous said...

I also hate having to agree with you, so I wont. When we do improve our form you will not bring our attention back to this BS, so I will! expect to hear from me.

P.S Zola not the right man in charge? oh really Mr, who do you think we should have employed then?