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Eggbert Nobacon 10:28 Fri Jan 15
Standard - West Ham in the Champions League? Stranger things have happened in this unpredictable sea

What kind of deranged Premier League is it in which West Ham are the model of consistency and unflappability?

Unbeaten in eight games after their terrific victory at Bournemouth, they must fancy their chances of extending that run at struggling Newcastle on Saturday.

Not only that, for more than two months, they negotiated a major injury crisis which robbed them of key players such as the fabulous Dimitri Payet.

Their victory over Chelsea on October 24 was their only win during that time. But they lost only twice between then and the beginning of this current run of three straight wins, kick-starting against Southampton on December 28.

This is the kind of form which must surely have the club’s hierarchy contemplating the enticing prospect of staging European football in the first campaign at the Olympic Stadium next season.

Perhaps, with a twinkle in David Sullivan’s eyes, the Champions League - rather than the Europa League with which they club had an odd flirtation last summer - may even have been mentioned this week.

In this most unpredictable of seasons, it should have been. What a windfall of pride, anticipation, credibility and emerging potential that would be for the Irons in the year in which they leave the rumbling old cathedral of Upton Park.

It would confirm utterly Sullivan’s assertions that the stadium move will elevate West Ham into a new sphere of the game.

This form has also illustrated how quickly the bond between the fans and the manager, the former Upton Park defender, Slaven Bilic, has been re-established.

The supporters accepted Bilic’s plight during that injury crisis with an understanding many would never have shown his predecessor, Sam Allardyce.

In his first season, the Croatian has managed so far to tune into the twin demands of the club’s following in a way Allardyce never did.

There were five consecutive draws between the 4-1 thrashing by Tottenham on November 22 and the defeat of Southampton. The points tally ticked over. The fans understood.

That resolute run is also why West Ham, having beaten Bournemouth on Tuesday, could watch Wednesday’s seven fixtures, knowing they couldn’t be over-hauled.

"Perhaps, with a twinkle in David Sullivan’s eyes, the Champions League - rather than the Europa League with which they club had an odd flirtation last summer - may even have been mentioned this week."

The dear, old, un-threatening Hammers, who even during the era of Moore, Hurst and Peters, were mocked Up North for being soft and wayward – with occasional flashes of dazzle – simply could not exist at any reasonable level in the modern game.

They are burying that strand of their past quite emphatically just now.

Bilic has made the side both competitive and exciting. Payet, who confirmed a stunning return from injury with a brilliant free-kick goal at Bournemouth, still looks like the best signing of last summer. Credit must go to the board for the way they have handled transfer policy and provided Bilic with the tools he is utilising so well.

The supporters can begin to think about Europe again because of West Ham's achievements in their own right. But it is also a major prospect because this is the title race – and the hunt for the attached prizes – in which nobody wants to take command.

Paradoxically, that is why fans of Arsenal and Tottenham should not be too concerned about the setbacks of this week.

In a more conventional campaign, the surrender of two precious points to Joe Allen’s late equaliser in the wild 3-3 draw at Anfield on Wednesday would be cited as evidence that they don’t have the ruthlessness and relentless to be champions.

But as it stands, we’re beyond all that in 2015/16. It’s a bit of a lottery up the top end.

Conversely, too, Arsene Wenger's side twice came from behind to lead against Liverpool so there is clearly some spirit at work in the side. And the Frenchman, Olivier Giroud, is now comfortable in the role of good old-fashioned English striker.

Arsenal have the most victories, with 13. And they have beaten both second-placed Leicester and third-placed Manchester City. Those results may be critical.

There is, of course, a residue of fragility within Wenger’s outfit and it will be severely tested at seventh-placed Stoke this weekend.

Mark Hughes, the Potters’ boss, is currently on a run of four consecutive league wins. There is a bit of unsavoury history between the teams.

But Arsenal’s recovery to reach the last 16 of the Champions League points to a firmer resolve this season, too. They have a great chance to prove that spirit is in good order at the Britannia this weekend because this is the kind of fixture where titles are secured.

Spurs’ home defeat by Leicester was not calamitous, either, even if this was the week when the challenge of Claudio Ranieri’s men for the biggest prize began to look seriously credible.

Second-placed Leicester have lost only twice in the league. That’s the best record of all the leading clubs in that particular column of the table.

Tottenham are next best in that department, with three defeats now, although they have drawn nine, two more than Leicester.



Meanwhile, Manchester City somehow seem to retain some people’s belief that they are proper title challengers even though have lost on a whopping five occasions to date.

They don’t convince me at all just now. And Manchester United? Even the manager, Louis van Gaal, says they bore him.

Back to West Ham, one of the teams of the moment, along with Leicester and Stoke.

After the trip to Newcastle, City are the next visitors to the Boleyn Ground.

It’s a test, no matter how unfocussed Manuel Pellegrini’s team appear just now. But in February, Bilic’s side have fixtures against Aston Villa, Southampton, Norwich and Sunderland.

All of them are winnable. It could be the month when the Hammers properly nail their place in this season’s elite.

One McAvennieeeeee 10:37 Fri Jan 15
Re: Standard - West Ham in the Champions League? Stranger things have happened in this unpredictable sea

Normally I'd tell you to calm down, you cunt.

But I'm enjoying these.

Marston Hammer 10:51 Fri Jan 15
Re: Standard - West Ham in the Champions League? Stranger things have happened in this unpredictable sea

Another good article.

Sir Alf 10:52 Fri Jan 15
Re: Standard - West Ham in the Champions League? Stranger things have happened in this unpredictable sea

As an old pessimist, I always get nervous when our fortunes are not hiding :-( and we need to keep plugging away with the same tenacity. Newcastle like any game will not be easy. I still think top 8 is more realistic and will be a good achievement but you have to aim high and you never know I suppose.

Livingstone 10:54 Fri Jan 15
Re: Standard - West Ham in the Champions League? Stranger things have happened in this unpredictable sea

*Dons shades* as future is just so bright

Northern Sold 10:55 Fri Jan 15
Re: Standard - West Ham in the Champions League? Stranger things have happened in this unpredictable sea

Bit too long for reading at work... thanks though Eggy you div

Tomshardware 10:56 Fri Jan 15
Re: Standard - West Ham in the Champions League? Stranger things have happened in this unpredictable sea

Agree Alf. I'm always half expecting the wheels to come off at any point.

Stubbo 11:04 Fri Jan 15
Re: Standard - West Ham in the Champions League? Stranger things have happened in this unpredictable sea

With this turnaround in the clubs at the top of the league, makes you wonder just how England managers are going to be able to select their squads in future.

Theyll have to start considering who the best players are and who will fit into a team, as opposed to just ask who the Englishmen are that play in Manchester, fashionable bits of London or Liverpool.

Looking at the squads of the top sides, I wouldn't swap our squad for anyone but Arsenal or Man City. Individuals I'd swap for sure, but whole squad...few would interest me including Man Utd, Liverpool, Spurs or Chelsea. Amazing position to be in (even if that does involve some Claret and Blue tinted specs).

Eggbert Nobacon 11:05 Fri Jan 15
Re: Standard - West Ham in the Champions League? Stranger things have happened in this unpredictable sea

Slavs thoughts on it -

"If you ask me if we are thinking about it realistically and starting to be a little bit big-headed about the Champions League, no, we are not," he said.

"We know that we are West Ham and we are enjoying the season and we are respecting every opponent without being afraid of them, and that's it.

"Are we favourites now to finish in the top four? We are not. But nobody can take the hope and the belief out of you.

"My philosophy in life is that there is nothing wrong with being confident, optimistic or positive. For me, on the contrary, you have to be like that if you want to get any chance to make it, whatever you do in your life.

"If you go to take a driving test and you say 'I can't do it', of course you're going to fail. If you got on a date and you're approaching a girl in a nightclub and you think she's going to tell you off and all that, no chance.

"But if you are positive, you have a chance. For the Champions League, or whatever - top 10, or staying up. Sunderland believe they can stay up. You have to do it, without that there is no chance."


Read more at http://talksport.com/football/champions-league-not-realistic-west-ham-we-wont-stop-believing-says-slaven-bilic#2Iuse6Wz2MHylmuX.99

Johnson 11:05 Fri Jan 15
Re: Standard - West Ham in the Champions League? Stranger things have happened in this unpredictable sea

BUSY AS YOU LIKE

Eggbert Nobacon 11:06 Fri Jan 15
Re: Standard - West Ham in the Champions League? Stranger things have happened in this unpredictable sea

bothered as I like!

Takashi Miike 11:15 Fri Jan 15
Re: Standard - West Ham in the Champions League? Stranger things have happened in this unpredictable sea

im not keen on all this praise. id much rather we stay under the radar and remain hated by the gutter press

Mike Oxsaw 11:24 Fri Jan 15
Re: Standard - West Ham in the Champions League? Stranger things have happened in this unpredictable sea

So if we and/or Leicester do happen to claim a CL placing it definitely will NOT be down to us (or them) playing better over the course of a season, that at least 2 of the "Big 5" clubs, but that the season itself is fucked.

Nothing like preparing your defence early.

I bet shit-loads of media pundits just can't wait for this season to end in the hope that some form of "normality" will return next term, not to mentioning the people trying to sell advertising around games on the back of "historical greatness"..

Stepney.Ammer 11:36 Fri Jan 15
Re: Standard - West Ham in the Champions League? Stranger things have happened in this unpredictable sea

'In his first season, the Croatian has managed so far to tune into the twin demands of the club’s following in a way Allardyce never did.'

NAIL. ON. HEAD.

Stubbo 11:37 Fri Jan 15
Re: Standard - West Ham in the Champions League? Stranger things have happened in this unpredictable sea

Whilst I don't really believe it will happen, imagine what finishing 4th at the same time as moving to the new stadium would do for our recruitment drive.

It would say we are contenders, big stadium, Champions League, London. Much as I'm sure Tore and Zaza are great players, suddenly we'd be turning the heads of players at the next level up.

And I'm not even sure I want that (the big names). There's a lot that be said for talented players who still have something to prove. But with the games we have in the next month, Sakho and Lanzini to come back, and maybe a quality addition in January, there is no reason we shouldn't be right in the mix with 10 to 12 games to go.

The other thing that would give me great joy this year would be the big name rats of Chelsea getting out of the sinking ship. Pep turning round and saying thanks but no thanks, no Europe, and Abramovich finding mid table doesn't quite stir him up the way challenging for continued success has and moving on out.

Dare to dream.

1964 12:09 Fri Jan 15
Re: Standard - West Ham in the Champions League? Stranger things have happened in this unpredictable sea

"What kind of deranged Premier League is it in which West Ham are the model of consistency and unflappability?"

Condescending me thinks

ludo21 12:15 Fri Jan 15
Re: Standard - West Ham in the Champions League? Stranger things have happened in this unpredictable sea

Superb isn't it.... Chelsea will not get CL next season and not only will they then be unable to attract the best players but their current better players will be looking to move on.

They WILL spiral down (slowly, I'm sure, but downwards none the less) while we spiral in the other direction.

No Pep for them... will Diego Simeone want to swap A. Madrid and CL for Chelsea in... nothing? Shame!

Rossal 12:17 Fri Jan 15
Re: Standard - West Ham in the Champions League? Stranger things have happened in this unpredictable sea

Best chance in years but last 3 games have given people bit of false hope

we have Jelavic up top for a month

7 points from next 3 then ill start to believe

Eggbert Nobacon 12:17 Fri Jan 15
Re: Standard - West Ham in the Champions League? Stranger things have happened in this unpredictable sea

Athletico Madrid just been banned from any signings for the next 2 window though so maybe he will want to move on

Russ of the BML 12:18 Fri Jan 15
Re: Standard - West Ham in the Champions League? Stranger things have happened in this unpredictable sea

There's a lot of people talking about us at the moment. It's worrying.

Russ of the BML 12:19 Fri Jan 15
Re: Standard - West Ham in the Champions League? Stranger things have happened in this unpredictable sea

Stubbo 11:37 Fri Jan 15

"The other thing that would give me great joy this year would be the big name rats of Chelsea getting out of the sinking ship. Pep turning round and saying thanks but no thanks, no Europe, and Abramovich finding mid table doesn't quite stir him up the way challenging for continued success has and moving on out."

I like that.

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