Many supporters, last year, publicly declared themselves ready to see West Ham relegated to the Championship as a price worth paying to rid the club of the Brady – Sullivan millstone.
Although the departure of the dreadful duo was in fact more linked to the BBC allegations than relegation itself, the club has since embarked on a refreshing new era.
One Claret and Hugh reader sets out his own hopes for the way that West Ham’s direction might shift after a tumultuous summer.
Guest post by ‘Peter WHU’:
Relegation is what this club needed and come the last 5-6 games, I felt we fully deserved it, like a pie in the face, with players showing no energy & the manager no endeavour, regardless whether he spent 8 hours a day at the club.
Came to the conclusion we needed to keep a core set of players who were committed (like KWP, Dinos who always keep playing and trying) and only them, getting rid of those who might be very good, but sometimes did not want to bother for whatever reasons (and some quite natural/understandable). Then rebuild with only 3-5 players remaining. Remaining in the PL we’d have just hobbled along, in a financial straitjacket struggling to keep our heads above water and Academy players were in all honesty, unable to step in and plug the gaps in the team – it takes time to develop.
Fernandes – made of the right character but now sadly long gone
Easy looking on to say these things, but it is the same old story of players of character (Fernandes has both) and attitude being as important as talent, as well as leadership on a pitch. Throwing money at it through US/Saudi big money execs & getting star players to come in, does not do it for me, not one iota, for a 1000 reasons.
Bill Shankly (watched a video documentary) came to Liverpool who were in the 2nd division in the 60s and cleared out 12+ players & rebuilt. He had an eye for what players could become, bringing in Ron Yeats (CB colossus), Ian St John and later Kevin Keegan from Scunthorpe who were in the 4th. Keegan & St John certainly had talent & character. Just thought the parallels were interesting – he also had the training ground rebuilt as it was a dump. He also instilled a style of football that was great to watch & attacking, ensuring the fans became what we know Liverpool fans to be.
I think we are basically hoping for something similar to happen here at WHU, including a style of attacking football that uses players’ talents. Plus we have talent in the academy who instead of being out on loan can actually play for the club at this level, then develop along with the team – they all seem to be players of style & character, but obviously it will be tough.