I've been a West Ham fan for 17 years. I remember the 2003 relegation after Glenn Roeder's brain tumour; I remember being knocked out of cups by the likes of Wrexham, Chesterfield and Swansea. I remember the play-off defeat to Iain Dowie's Crystal Palace. But I have never felt more disappointed, let down or upset, than over the last couple of days. Blowing yet another comfortable lead against inferior opposition, not seeing any of the fight that previous West Ham sides have shown, and a racism-infused end of season fight has got to be up there with one of the more unpleasant relegation experiences.
My November blog called for it. The fans kept calling for it, the press raised the issue after every game. Yet Avram Grant still kept his job. When someone is so obviously failing, the blind refusal to take any action smacks of ineptitude or worse, contempt for the business you are in charge of.
There is more than a touch of the Mike Ashley's about our owners David Gold and David Sullivan. Too fond of their own opinions, too slow to act, and then making the wrong decision when called upon. Can you be too fond of a club to see you're slowly killing it? Possibly. Then there is Karen Brady, a footballing tidal wave. The Steve Sidwell affair was just insulting for everyone at the club. The frequent quips about what players are up for sale, how poor a performance was or what games qualify as 'save our season' are little better.
Unquestionably, what needs to happen now is a re-shuffle of Tunisian proportions. Total overhaul, with a young, creative coach given three years to build a strong side, achieving promotion in the process. My hunch is for Chris Houghton at present, but others should be considered before he is given the call.
For now, this is how I see the summer exodus looking.
Definitely gone
Scott Parker - Most combative midfielder England has got. United, Liverpool and Arsenal all really need one of those.
Robert Green - Better than probably ten of the current Premier League number ones.
Matthew Upson - Out of contract, out of shape, out of favour. Good shout for one of the promoted sides.
Barring a miracle
Demba Ba - The fact that he only signed in January, and has reportedly dodgy knees, might work in our favour. Relegated sides tend to keep one player they have no right to; this could be ours.
Carlton Cole - Will the lower Prem teams think he is good enough?
Jack Collison - Didn't get enough football last season, people may have forgotten how talented he is.
Thomas Hitzlsperger - Wage demands may put teams off.
Fingers crossed
Junior Stanislas - Has pace and can shoot, inconsistent against top teams but potentially lethal in the Championship.
James Tomkins - Looks a top player on his day. Needs a full season as first choice before anyone can make their minds up.
Mark Noble - Would be made captain if he stayed, loves the club and hasn't really showed his best form of late.
Jordan Spence - Had a great loan spell at Bristol City, now has the choice of the Wolves bench or making our right-back slot his own.
Who cares either way
Freddie Sears - If you can finish, you will be of use whatever level you play at. Unfortunately, he can't.
Danny Gabbidon - Player of the year one season, anonymous the next. Retired from the bloody Wales set up. Get over yourself.
Good riddance
Kieron Dyer - Shocking waste of wages.
Julien Faubert - Like Dyer, except he also thinks he can tackle.
Radoslav Kovac - The most un-elegant footballer I have ever seen.
Luis Boa Morte - One time tricky forward, now fat, fouling central midfielder.
Robbie Keane - Did he actually miss those chances on purpose?
Making the above moves would get rid of the old, rotten core of the side. Which then begs the question of how to re-build it. The likes of Nicky Maynard, Adam Lallana, Luke Chambers and Jonny Howson should be looked at, plus one or two older heads. Typing that last sentence is all the more painful considering that twelve months ago we were linked with Juan Riquelme.
This, however, is the prospect West Ham fans must now confront. I'm reminded of a sign in the Bradford City museum here; this is our 'new reality'. In three years we will move to a stadium with a capacity second only to Manchester United in size. For Premier League football, it will be a big push to fill that space. For home games against Barnsley and Coventry, it's impossible.
If we are not in the top league by 2014, there will be no parachute payments, no fans, and a very bleak future ahead. This is, therefore, our one end goal, and nothing else matters a jot. The best way to save the club is patience, bravery and sensible investment on the part of the club's owners. The time to make some very long lasting decisions is now. Can they keep out of the papers long enough to make it happen? Only time will tell.
No comments:
Post a Comment