Just a few weeks ago West Ham were the talk of the Premiership.
They had signed two of the world’s best players and the manager was talking about challenging the best side in Europe, not just England.
An already bright future was looking positively glowing thanks to the acquisition of the two Argentinian stars that every club in the land would have wanted.
Since then, however, they have not won a game.
The club is in the middle of a take-over bid, the manager is refusing to play his new signings just because of their status and optimism is at an all time low.
At first glance it seemed the signings of Tevez and Mascherano were a masterstroke. A little further down the line and it looks very much as though it could turn out to be one of the most disastrous and disruptive double transfers in history.
Up until the arrival of the two, it was clear that Alan Pardew was the man in charge. He had built a good side that was close knit and played as a unit. Team spirit was high and morale equally so.
Now it is all falling to pieces. Not only do you get the impression that the Argies were signed without Pardew’s consent, you also get the feeling that he is now under pressure to play them.
And, almost as a way of stamping his authority on his team, he is pretty much refusing to do so. Tevez didn’t get a sniff of action on Saturday and Mascherano was given an unfamiliar role that left him anonymous for most of the match.
If and when the take-over of the club is completed I very much doubt Pardew will be kept. The new owners are rumoured to be behind the Argie transfer swoop and I am pretty sure they will want the two to be playing regularly to ensure they are in the shop window, so to speak.
Having said that, there is every chance Pardew could find himself out of the job before the take-over is even completed if results don’t pick up.
Two world-class international superstars joining the club should have been the proudest moment in West Ham’s recent history.
Instead it looks like being the beginning of a period of turmoil and uncertainty which could end in serious trouble for the Hammers and the loss of one of the most promising young managers in the game.
What tangled webs we weave…
Ryder Cup
Fantastic result for Europe in the Ryder Cup this weekend when they made it three wins in a row.
I am not a big follower of golf – it’s a game for players rather than spectators in my opinion – but I have to admit there is something about this particular tournament which does get interest flowing.
This year’s contest was very nearly a record victory for the team from this side of the pond and would have been had it not been for a touching display of sportsmanship which saw one European player concede when he could probably have gone on to win his tie.
What I find really interesting, and strange, is that the bookmakers have already made Europe favourites to win the next tournament even though it is still two years away.
A lot can change in 24 months – players can lose form, others can gain it. Still, it’s always nice to see the Americans have their bottoms kicked at – at least one sport and long may it continue.
Sheffield United
When you are bottom of the league, without a win all season and with just two goals from six games, it’s very hard to find things to be happy about.
However, in the spirit of positivity, I would just like to say that last Saturday afternoon, Sheffield United were arguably as good as the second best team in Europe for almost 65 minutes.
My poor beleaguered Blades managed to hold Arsenal for more than two thirds of their match at the Emirates stadium before they crumbled and slumped to a 3-0 defeat.
To be honest I don’t think anybody but the most optimistic United fan could have expected anything other than defeat to come out of this game – the gulf in class between the two teams is enormous.
As things stand pretty much all of the pre-season confidence has now evaporated and a distinct sense of doom and gloom has now settled over Bramall Lane.
By my calculations, unless you can scrape together around 25 points by Christmas, relegation is a cert. And, with just two points on the board so far, 25 points is looking a million miles away.
Still, if we do end up going straight back down the team and the club as a whole will be stronger for the whole experience. Not to mention richer.
Let’s keep looking at the positives…
N. Ireland fans
It’s a little late coming, I admit, but I have to give a special mention to the Northern Ireland fans for their chanting during their recent victory over Spain.
“Are you in England in disguise?” they sang as their team went 3-2 up.
Very touching lads.
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