The sense of deflation and of having handed the momentum to our opponents is rife this week after the weekend’s results which saw West Ham slip back into the relegation zone. As Spurs overcame a weak Aston Villa and then Nottingham Forest did the same, inexplicably, with Chelsea, West Ham fans slumped further into the corners of their sofas knowing that relegation is the most likely outcome now, however much the super optimists would like to sugar coat the nine points still possible .
Ironically West Ham’s form has been picked out by the bbc.co.uk report this morning which claims ‘it isn’t all doom and gloom’ for the Hammers. I’d beg to differ. This feels like the logical conclusion of the last two years of mismanagement, poor appointments and dreadful managerial choices:
“However, it is not all doom and gloom for the Hammers despite their precarious position. [claims the BBC].
They have actually improved significantly in the past three months and, since suffering back-to-back defeats in January, have only lost four of their past 14 Premier League matches.
Nuno has been convinced the battle will go to the last day
But if any club are aware that it can sometimes be too little, too late, then it is West Ham:The east Londoners have the unwanted record of accumulating the most points in the final eight games of the season (15) of any side to be relegated from the Premier League.
Being relegated whilst in European-qualifying form isn’t something to be proud about, believe me. With results from competing sides, it is looking as if 41 points – plus – will be needed to keep the Hammers in the top tier.
Which opens Nuno up to suggestions of naivety over playing out a draw at Crystal Palace and his claim that this season was going ‘to the wire’. Far from it. I suspect it’ll be done and dusted on Sunday.
The Manager’s occasionally infuriating reliance on a careful, considered ‘Nuno-esque’ style of play in the last few weeks has been in stark contrast to Nottingham Forest, Leeds and even Tottenham who’ve grabbed wins by being aggressive and throwing caution to the wind.
West Ham fans will be entitled to ask the question – is Nuno really the right man to lead a championship campaign come August?
Forest at home was 3 points snatched away from us by poor ref and VAR decisions. Thats what I will be thinking of if we go down.
But not for long as I’ll be quietly and happily rid of the premier league. Most professional football happily takes place outside the tedium of the premier league.
As much as the joy of staying up would be nice, I’d then be fed up by October !
I can’t help feeling there is too much attention paid to the Palace game. Yes the tactics of settling for a point at about 70 minutes were poor. But the first 70 minutes showed that on that day we couldn’t hit a barn door with a banjo. And fair points regarding the Bournemouth game the Chelsea game. But it was that period before and after Christmas that has sealed our fate. 1 point out of 6 games, something like, no win in 10.
It’s definitely not all on Nuno. it’s years of mismanagement and wrong player and manager recruitment since the Moyes years. I’ve defended Nuno but he still had more than enough chances to get us out of the poo and he hasn’t so I think over all he has failed. So if he is sacked or goes I won’t be bothered. We do need to see a more progressive football so maybe give Paco a chance
If we go down it will be the Palace game that will have been the pivotal moment, bottling the taking of 3 points.
However, on Nuno, lest we forget he did get Wolves promoted from the Championship so certainly knows how to do it.
It is just they are late to the party (bbc) and reaching easy conclusions. Yep, team have improved but there are holes you could punch a fist through when it comes to key positions such as a midfielder or No 10 running the show and creating goal chances, a seasoned left back, Fernandes backup and also key player Bowen is either out of form, just knackered or too glued to the sidelines.
I read it differently and think we de do threaten up front, especially when there is plenty of movement and intent but we gamble with 2 in midfield and I think the element of surprise in this, is gone and we do not seemingly have an effective plan B which can defend and be a goal threat with 3 or 4 midfielders on the pitch. The players cannot maintain the high tempo press (1st half against Brentford) and the team are in trouble as subs are made. Think they have done incredibly well, but it has been by the skin of our teeth. Clear example, is that we never play a game well for the full 90+ minutes, not once. That is a real sign of frailty (to me).
Also, Spurs have a good squad, same as Forest and that was always likely to come round and bite us in the backside unless we stayed ahead of them.
Still the fat lady is only doing practice vocals at the moment.
Exactly what I’m thinking Peter 👍
The championship is all about attacking football, so Nuno is not the manager to get us back in the premiership
What makes you think Nuno will still be here if we go down Martin?
Tough times indeed Martin – while there have been some good performances this year Nuno has also overseen some shockers (given Chelsea’s current capitulation, throwing away a two-goal lead there falls into that category as do Leeds away and Brentford at home)
If our relegation is confirmed then next season will be a huge unknown – look at the contrasting fortunes of Ipswich and Southampton compared to Leicester
For now I look forward to a shock victory over Arsenal
COYI