Football is a funny game. It seems to me that there is a certain equilibrium hidden in the inner workings of the game. Clubs have their ups and clubs have their downs, but an omnipotent force ensures that, in time, things return back to how they should be. In the short term, clubs like Hull, Wigan, Reading and Wimbledon are allowed a stint in the top division, but we all know that they will sink back to where they belong over time. Clubs like Leeds, Forest, Wolves and Leicester may fall on hard times, but the passion of the support and the history of the club somehow inspires recovery, no matter how massive the problems.
Look at Leeds. They are on the way back. If we play them in the Championship next season, who would you fancy to win at Elland Road? The ghosts of Bremner, Clark, Gray, Lorimer, Giles, Charlton and Hunter would be at the shoulders of the current crop of players in all white and our own Bobby Moore would shrug and say, I could never win at Elland Road anyway! Look at Leicester. They sank into Division 3 for the first time in the club's history, crippled by debts. And look at their response, immediate promotion and now chasing a place in the Prem via the playoffs. Look at Forest, like Leeds and Leicester, dumped down into Division 3 but now chasing promotion with a team of nearly men who are playing exciting football under Billy Found Out And Found Wanting Davies. Look at Southampton under our very own Alan Pardew. Despite the points deduction, they are chasing a playoff place and playing with verve and confidence. They will be back, happily. Even Aldershot and Accrington Stanley have rediscovered their true level.
So, although relegation will feel like an absolute catastrophe, it needn't be. Financially, it would be a disaster of course, but if it means administration, then let's take the points deduction sooner rather than later - and tell Shafting United to go whistle for the outstanding £20m. Who knows, relegation may just focus the minds of Straumur and persuade them to set a realistic figure for buying the club, a figure that would allow new owners to invest in the team to ensure we bounce back quickly.
West Ham belong in mid table in the Prem, somewhere between 8th and 16th. Our mistake was hubris, believing we could over achieve, believing that we could disturb the natural order. That is the classical recipe for a tragic hero. But in all tragedy there is catharsis. Sooner or later, we will stop screaming "We are a club more sinned against than sinning" and accept our destiny. It may be on Boxing Day with a defeat at home to Portsmouth when another line from Shakespeare would then be more appropriate, "Et tu Pompey? Then fall West Ham." But as soon as we accept our fate, the recovery will begin. It is clinging desperately to the edge of the ledge that destroys the soul. Let go, fall, and the angels will break your fall and help you back to where you belong over time.
If we go down, we will be back; the gods of football may play with us as they have played with Leeds and Forest but the natural order will be restored; sooner or later. It will be painful but don't forget the joy of that play off victory over Preston.
As a Leeds fan of 40 years I can't help but agree with you. I watched the likes of Giles, Bremner, Clarke and Hunter as a lad followed by Cherry, Jordan and McQueen. Then came dispair and life in the wilderness of the old Div 2 until a new breed of heroes in Batty, Speed, Chapman and Strachen came around. I absolutely loved the Champions league experience watching the likes of Kewell, Smith, Woodgate, Bowyer and Radebe and sank to the depths once more until we bottomed out in League 1. Notice a pattern here, the heroes that stick in your mind are the lads that are home grown or purchased for a pittance and make good. Believe me when I say that I feel prouder of this crop of players than any of the fancy Dan glory boys of 7 years ago. The Fowlers, Keanes and Ferdinands of this world that chase the silver dollar can go fly for all I care (as can Beckford currently if all he cares about is money) - it's players that love the club and fan's that breath the club that count - not cash and not mercenary money hunters. My club will bounce back and if yours does take the fall crippled by cash problems then they will bounce back too.
ReplyDelete'West Ham belong in mid table in the Prem, somewhere between 8th and 16th. Our mistake was hubris, believing we could over achieve, believing that we could disturb the natural order. That is the classical recipe for a tragic hero. But in all tragedy there is catharsis. Sooner or later, we will stop screaming "We are a club more sinned against than sinning" and accept our destiny.'
ReplyDeleteOne of the most erudite explanations of West Ham's long standing predicament I have read.
I've been following the team for decades now and I've long had the feeling that what haunts the Hammers is the distinct feeling that the team has never quite punched its weight; that with a rush and a push glory was realisable.
Don't get me wrong. We've had are moments and how sweet they were; sweeter still for them being few and far between.
When the Icelanders turned up many of us thought that this was a new dawn, the chance to establish West Ham as a genuine top flight team, European football, ours by right. Then the arse feel out of capitalism and gross and over-inflated ambitions, built on nothing more solid that the promises of financial gamblers, have just faded and died. What we're left with is nothing of substance and that is painfully obvious on the field.
The agony of watching promising youngsters - the development of which West Ham does so well (real substance) - having the stuffing knocked out of them as the club slides into the Championship. Care-less mercenaries with no stomach for the fight. And a few bloodied stalwarts whose efforts are just not enough.
It's at times like this you look around for 'saviours'; someone with the quick fix or alchemists touch. Enter G&S. Hhhmmm. I don't know what I think of them. They look to me like just another shower of speculative, capitalist gangsters looking to make a buck. The only people with the teams best interests at heart are the fans. They may disagree on the way forward but you'll find no ulterior motives among them.
No miracles for me this time. No quick fixs. No deals done to secure the short-term. I'd like to see West Ham built on solid foundations - the patient development of young players, stable management, and strong roots in a fan base whose loyalty the club is deserving of.
Tare from Finland; I have supported Leeds from Sniffers heyday 1972 and still kicking. Mighty Ones belongs to PL no doubt about it.
ReplyDeleteTare
That's an excellent, well-written post and I agree with your sentiments entirely.
ReplyDeleteThe big teams will always be the big teams and sooner or later, the natural order will always be restored. The rough patches just make you enjoy the successes more though and I'm sure both yourselves and Leeds will be back where we belong before long.
Your article is bang on mate. When you drop down a league or two you find out who the real supporters are, at Leeds its seems to be the same mob that followed them through the 80s but now a days we've got our kids in tow. If Leeds were to end up like Man City (a disgrace in my eyes) they'd never see the colour of my money again. As it is we are working our way back under our own steam and long may that continue. People say Leeds belong in the Prem but I don't think there's too many at Elland Road who actually miss it, only maybe the odd visit to Old Trafford & then just too slag off the muppets sat in their stands. Keep the faith (what ever League you are in!)
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