Sam Allardyce was today appointed manager of West Ham United, having been without a manager since the sacking of Avram Grant following the 3-2 defeat to Wigan which confirmed the East London side's relegation. It was a Hammer blow to a club which had only just staved off relegation a year before and is acknowledged to be perennially underachieving by its famously passionate fans, including celebrities such as Rod Stewart, Paul Gascoigne and James Corden. Where did it all go wrong? Just two years ago Iron's fans were basking in the security of a 9th place finish, a dream considering the club's topsy turvy season record since returning to the Premier League in 2005. In 2006-7 they were at the centre of one of the biggest controversies of recent years when Carlos Tevez, at the time owned by a third party, which is against Premier League rules, scored on the final day of the season to stun already-champions Manchester United at Old Trafford, which sent Neil Warnock's Sheffield United down instead, following their 2-1 defeat to Wigan. The FA eventually fined The Hammers a record £5.5m, peanuts compared to what would have been lost had they dropped out of the league instead. Back to 2009. Former Chelsea favourite Gianfranco Zola had had a promising first season at Upton Park and hopes were high that after turbulent recent years the club could enjoy stability and maybe a cup run or two, or even better, push on for Europe, the promised land. But right from the start Irons fans had very little to cheer about. Pre-season was disappointing, with the club failing to beat Slavia Solva, Bursapor and ND Mora 05 scoring two goals in the process. Although the opening day produced a 2-0 away win at Wolves, neighboroughs Tottenham left the Boleyn Ground with a 2-1 win. Any football fan will tell you a home defeat hurts: one on the second day of the season to your London rivals who ironically have your former manager must have been hard to swallow for fans. But they didn't have to dwell on it for long as two days later they hosted arch-rivals Millwall in a Carling Cup game. Although the Hammers won 3-1 it was overshadowed by pitch invasions and brawling, which led to a Millwall fan being stabbed. Not the way you'd choose to start your season, and after the opening day it took until November for the Clarets and Blue side of London to win again. After patchy results until the New Year, a run of six straight defeats sucked West Ham firmly into the relegation mire, but not before Davids Sullivan and Gold had acquired a 50% stake in the club, meaning they were to be owners. Despite eventual survival following Hull City's 2-2 draw with Wigan the Hammers had undoubtedly had a disastrous season. Zola's contract was terminated two days later. To the dismay of the fans season 2010-11 seemed to pick up where the last had left off.Avram Grant was appointed following Portsmouth being the first ever Premier League team to enter administration. Grant brought several of the players with him from Pompey, such as Frederic Piquionne and fellow Israeli Tal Ben Haim on loan, adding to the arrivals of New Zealand Mexican and German internationals Winston Reid Pablo Barrera and Thomas Hitzlsperger respectively. Unfortunately for Grant all but Hitzlsperger had little or no impact at all, and he was out injured until February; by which time it was almost too late. West Ham's miserable 12 months was summed up on the day that it was ended, with the Claret and Blues taking a 2-0 away lead at the DW stadium, Wigan, that would have still given them a chance of survival. January arrival and revolution Demba Ba's two headers had given the Hammers hope but Charles N'Zogbia's freekick gave the Latics a lifeline and following young Connor Sammon's equaliser, in the fourth minute of added time the Frenchman struck again, an error from Rob Green sealing the Hammers' fate. A tearful Avram Grant was then apparently sacked in the corridor- the fourth manager the club has got through in as many years.Before they had held a Bristish record for fewest ever managers- in 1989 the club had had a mere 5.West Ham's season in a nutshell? Yes. In short: A lack of leadership, the abject Grant even eventually having Scott Parker take the half-time team talks for him. But what should concern the Upton Park faithful over and above the relegation issues is the Hammers' dire finances. David Gold may be a 'passionate east londoner who can empathise with the fans' but the early signs have been less than encouraging. After buying the club off cash-strapped Icelandic bank Straumur, Gold annoucned that the club had debts on more than £100m and had come “very close to administration”. The truth is that finances at the Boleyn Ground are a mess. West Ham may have some saleable assets, but these are cancelled out by the mediocre on unrealistic wages. The January loan arrivals of Robbie Keane and Wayne Bridge did little to help the cause- both are arguably past their prime and earning money that the club was never going to be able to maintain. The players departing in Lucas Neill and James Collins were and are two established international yet they have been replaced by bargain-bucket Manuel Da Costa and Winston Reid. And despite a solid World Cup for Mexico Pablo Barrera has failed to adapt to English football playing only 14 times-that precious £4m could have been put to far better use.There’s only so many times you can sell Carlton Cole and Matthew Upson(whose contract is up and will likely leave on a free anyway) As well as this the Hammers have also been given the green light to move into the Olympic Stadium ahead of Spurs and strangely, Leyton Orient. This was likely granted due to Gold and Sullivan promising to keep the athletics track which Spurs did not, however the reality facing the F.A is that the flagship stadium of the country’s Olympic status will likely be half-full(probably not even that) of fans of a Championship club having its feet tickled by liquidation. Not since Leeds United dropped out of the Premier League has such an iconic British club been in such turmoil. Big Sam excelled at Bolton, where his willingness to comb the globe for little known talent uncovered such gems as Jared Borgetti and he will have to hit the ground running if he is to save an ailing club from heading for potential oblivion. Although he has an impressive track record, not to mention more self-belief than moustache, Big Sam has a Big Job on his hands.
Couldn't agree more with your views. my two bob's worth follows: Leadership - Upson wore the armband, Parker was the Captain without any doubt. What was all that about? If Upson was any sort of bloke let alone leader, he would have given Parker the armband for the good of the club I'm sure it had nothing to do with his contract or the fact he was an England squad regular (God alone knows how). Owners - we are a laughing stock with the current owners. Martin Jol has just gone to Fulham. Jol was renowned for open, attacking football and by and large got results. He had started to turn Spurs around long before Harry got there. But we signed our 'first choice' (sic) Big Sam - good manager, but not noted for flair. Mind you, he may instil a sense of pride and determination in some of the remaining players who even as Championship players, are likely to be paid a load of wedge for below par performances. So ask yourself this - why couldn't West Ham with its reputation for flowing football and as many peoples 'second' team, attract a manager with a reputation for style and results? Well would you want to manage with the likes of Sullivan, gold and Brady as your guvnors? Lifelong supporters with a load of dosh or not, they don't fit - not by a long chalk. Birmingham were a yo-yo club under their management - ever think why? Balloon payment when relegated, Premiership payment when promoted. Bring in a manager with a track record of good loan players (Big Sam) and the pattern is repeated - their personal debt to WHU paid off in a couple of years, but the club remains a shambles. I love the club, always have & always will. That's what makes you a supporter through thick and thin. Doesn't mean you have to like it though!
Thanks This was partly meant to be for article consideration though not entirely, do you think it's good?
Worked for me - few typos (no doubt would be checked prior to submission). Interestingly, signing Lucas Neill was the start of the rot for me - Liverpool wouldn't sign him due to excessive wage demands, but the Hammers did in the vain hope he would be the start of some big name signings. Always mediocre & willing to resort to sly, thuggish tactics, he sent out all the wrong signals and the rest is history. Are you freelance or working for a publication?
Well you got your answer then - read well, good construction, factually accurate. I did mine a long while ago and don't envy you. Remember, the more you put into education now, the less you will have to do when you are older! Best of luck for the future.
Could be right Mightywall, who knows? At the end of the day its just 22 highly paid blokes kicking a bag of air about. Sometimes it thrills us, sometimes depresses us - but I never get 'tribal' about it - I just love watching the game! All the best for the new season.
I remember when West Ham and QPR where known as two of the best footballing clubs in London! It is a sad day that W.Ham have gone by the road side due to FOOLS. Good luck to you all at W. Ham from a fan from the bush (QPR):emoticon-0101-sadism
