Never in the history of the Premier League has one club managed to have such an eventful, disorganized, erratic, controversial and, ultimately, disastrous season as that in which West Ham are currently embroiled.
To say the wheels have come off their current campaign would be a gross understatement – they were long ago joined by the axle, chassis, tires and hubcaps. I used to think Sheffield United were the worst club in England when it came to controversy.
At Bramall Lane we have had just about everything over the years ranging from hostile take-overs by Mafia rejects to the infamous match with West Brom which was abandoned when we didn’t have enough players left on the pitch to finish it off.
More than enough to ensure life as a Blade is never dull. Then there was Leeds who have stumbled from one disaster to another over the past few years – a sequence which appears destined to end in relegation to the third tier of English football.
But the two Yorkshire clubs are well-run, sensible, shining examples of efficiency when compared to West Ham who have managed to make more of a mess of themselves in one season than most clubs would manage in a decade. I don’t need to catalogue all the mistakes for you again. We have heard more than enough about the goings on at Upton Park at boardroom, managerial, dressing room or supporter level.
But the last 10 days or so has really been the cherry on the cake of crapness. First the Hammers were charged by the FA over the signing of
Mascherano and Tevez, something which could see them deducted points. Then they managed to throw away the lead twice in their match with Spurs. Finally they got themselves caught up in a racism problem with claims that their fans were chanting anti-Semitic songs during the above match.
One disastrous thing after another.
Apparently the club have privately admitted they will stand by Alan Curbishley even if they get relegated to the Championship. And so they should. He can hardly be the only scapegoat for the season from hell.
And, just in case you were doubting it, West Ham will get relegated.
There was some evidence in the Spurs match that they players are starting to respond and show the sort of fight that might have go them out of trouble if they had shown it two months ago.
But, with just nine games to go, I simply can’t see a way out of it.
New owner, biscuit magnate and boiled egg impersonator Eggert Magnusson must really be wondering what he has done wrong in a past life to deserve owning West Ham in this one.
Let’s not forget the Hammers have spent serious money in their bid to stay up and must now, thanks to mercenaries like Lucas Neil, have one of the highest wage bills in the country.
If they keep their best players and, at this stage, it is hard to say exactly who they are, then there is every chance they could bounce back next season with Eggert, Alan and the rest leading a triumphant return to the big time.
But, in order to do that they will have to get rid of some players too, the ones who have spent this season causing unrest and disruption. The ones who, in short, are much more responsible for the club’s demise than any manager or owner.
To be honest it will be sad to see them go. I like West Ham. They play proper football, have a proper history and are followed by, mostly, honest fans who just want to see their club succeed.
Having said that, with the Hammers doomed it is one less relegation spot for us to fill.
David Beckham
The mini-revival in David Beckham’s career has been brought to an end by a
knee injury caused by an advertising billboard.
David crashed into one awkwardly on Sunday while playing for Real Madrid and is now out of action for between four and six weeks effectively ending his chances of an England comeback.
Am I the only one who finds it hugely ironic that David’s career on this continent may have been finished by advertising – the very media to which he has dedicated such large parts of his life?
Thought not.
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