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Fat Del 2:51 Tue Nov 18
The season so far
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Via: http://www.turnstyle.co.uk/football/2014/11/17/half-term-report-west-ham/
The pressure on Sam Allardyce to deliver an exciting brand of football was rife towards the end of last season. Banners of ‘Allardyce Out’ from the stands were visible and chorus of boos erupted around the Boleyn Ground following defeats to Crystal Palace and Newcastle.
But this season couldn’t be more different and, after a successful summer in the transfer market and a change in approach, Allardyce has transformed West Ham and they sit fourth in the Premier League after 11 games following wins against Manchester City and Liverpool.
Read on to find out the thoughts of Hammers’ season ticket holder, podcaster and blogger Sean Whetstone, a man who has witnessed the transformation from up close.
How would you summarise West Ham’s season so far?
Fantastic! We are in fourth place, in a Champions League qualifying spot and three points behind the reigning Premier League champions Manchester City. We have had five wins and three hard-fought draws plus a narrow defeat at Old Trafford. It is a great start to the season considering we were in 16th place, one point off the relegation zone this time last year.
What has been the secret to Allardyce’s early season success?
Simple, some great transfer buys over the summer together with a new style of playing. Last year we seemed to create a team around Andy Carroll with the sole purpose of knocking it up to him. When he wasn’t available we had no Plan B. Playing Chelsea last year we used a false nine tactic to grind out a draw by parking the bus. This season we have two up front with Diafra Sakho and Enner Valencia and Stewart Downing is in the form of his life in a new diamond formation.
Has Sam Allardyce won over his critics?
This is a difficult question to answer. We have all come a long way since the dark days of last season. The owners refused to be swayed by fan protests and stuck with their manager but they did insist on changes and bought extremely well in the transfer window as they took a greater control over the recruitment policy. It was never personal against Sam, just his style of play with no Plan B which annoyed many West Ham fans.
This season we look forward to the excitement of forthcoming matches. While the style of play and the results continue, who could have a problem with Sam? Whether he gets a new contract at the end of the season or leads us into the Olympic Stadium remains to be seen.
How would you rate the summer arrivals?
What Hammer couldn’t be anything but delighted with our signings? Sakho cost £3.5m and has scored seven goals already although the deal with Metz can reportedly rise to £7m after 140 appearances.
Aaron Cresswell was a £3.75m buy from the Championship which could raise to £7m. We’ve signed World Cup star Enner Valencia at £12m, Cheikhou Kouyate at £7m plus Carl Jenkinson and Alex Song on loan.
Diego Poyet and Mauro Zarate are also useful additions to the squad. I haven’t got a bad word to say about any of the new arrivals or transfer policy this season.
Which player has surprised you the most?
The obvious answer is Sakho. We all dreaded another Modibo Maiga so our hopes were not high but chairman David Sullivan had confidence in the striker after months of scouting and pushed through a deal at the expense of signing Connor Wickham. Our only problem now is keeping hold of him as I am sure he will attract interest from the poor performing so-called top six clubs in the January and summer transfer windows.
Honourable mentions need to go to Downing who has surprised many. He is like a new signing and the £6m we paid Liverpool seems a bargain now. Finally a mention must go to Cresswell. It is so hard to make the jump from the Championship but this guy has proved many doubters wrong. Not enough Championship players get the chance to play in the Premier league.
What is a realistic finish?
I have supported West Ham long enough to know not to get carried away with our early success and form, it is a long season.
Injuries will take their toll and the bigger clubs have more quality in their squads to cope with this. A top four finish is completely unachievable, a top six has a remote outside chance but top eight is achievable. My prediction is a finish somewhere between seventh and ninth.
Has Andy Carroll still got a place in the team?
I think he showed against Aston Villa in his short substitute appearance that he can be an effective super sub whilst Valencia and Sakho are fit. He can be used to change a game and offer something different. It would be interesting to see him partner Sakho or Valencia for a whole game if one of them is injured or their form dips.
I would hate to see Allardyce revert to Carroll as the lone striker and bang long balls up to him. Yes he is an expensive super sub, given his reported wages, but if we can afford him I would rather have him in our club than playing against us.
Are you confident Winston Reid will stay at the club and can you find a decent replacement?
It is looking increasing likely that Winston Reid will leave when his contract expires at the end of the season. He has been offered a new contract to stay but he appears unwilling to commit his long-term future to us.
The situation reminds me of Matthew Upson, who thought he was bigger than West Ham and refused to sign a new contract. He is currently an un-used squad player at Leicester City following stints at Stoke and Brighton. Time will tell with Winston but he is free to sign a pre-contract with a foreign club from January.
Can't say I argue with any of that.
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Replies - Newest Posts First ( Show In Chronological Order)
Steve P
10:10 Wed Nov 19
Re: The season so far
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ag!
Altogether too subtle. Didn't notice the smiley thing until after I posted. It was early though.
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Steve P
8:33 Wed Nov 19
Re: The season so far
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You're taking that too literally, he obviously means 7th, 8th or 9th, otherwise he might as well have said 8th.
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SnarestoneIron
8:20 Wed Nov 19
Re: The season so far
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Steven P 3:39 Tue Nov 18
Re: The season so far
I think you will find that the only place BETWEEN 7th and 9th is...8th :-)
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Dan M
4:47 Tue Nov 18
Re: The season so far
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I stopped reading at "Sean Whetstone".
I've heard enough from SAB members to know I have no interest in anything he thinks or writes.
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SecondOpinion
3:42 Tue Nov 18
Re: The season so far
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or......7,8,or 9?
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Steven P
3:39 Tue Nov 18
Re: The season so far
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Or 7th or 9th?
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SnarestoneIron
3:14 Tue Nov 18
Re: The season so far
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"My prediction is a finish somewhere between seventh and ninth"
So that's eighth place then?
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Fat Del
3:01 Tue Nov 18
Re: The season so far
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147man = wrong
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147man
2:57 Tue Nov 18
Re: The season so far
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Fat Del = Sean Whetstone
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