The usually well mannered Dean Ashton has been moved to give an untypically forthright view of the Hammers season as Manuel Pellegrini’s first campaign drifts towards its end.
Deano is a guy who carefully considers every word as a rule but perhaps the fact that he was talking on TalkSport had something to do with the stronger than usual language.
The radio station is of course well known for the tabloid approach to its broadcasting agenda which appears to encourage even the most laid back of people to give it large.
With shock jocks such as Adrian Durham on board its clear that they have a vested interest in perhaps the critical rather than constructive.
But to hear the former Hammers striker describing the season as “bang average” certainly raises an eyebrow among the faithful.
He’s entitled to his view of course but many would draw attention to a lot of issues which he left untouched.
He said: “It’s just been a bang average season and that’s almost more disturbing for the fans because they have spent money.
“There has been a lot of injures again this season that has hampered them, if they had their full squad available I would expect them to be a lot higher than 11th.
“The best they are hoping for is seventh, seventh is their ceiling with the players they are recruiting and it’s still a massive job for Pellegrini. The problems with the players is they have either been a three or a nine.”
I think he is being kind saying it’s been average..but that’s just my opinion
I think Dean has a point. He was never one to be dishonest and let’s face it we have had some excellent performances and some shocking turn outs.
Its not the cost of the players or management that concerns us its the lack of joined up writing.
One minute we look like a top 7 side and next minute we look like a bunch of strangers who don’t know each other.
I’m sure Pelle will get there but it’s just frustrating.
Agree with the above comments. Don’t think he is saying anything very controversial here.
Agree also but I am optimistic if he is given the time and more importantly the financial backing Pellegrini will recruit more technical players and we will improve. Was interesting watching City against Utd earlier, it was like men against boys, we should have beaten Utd ourselves, tonight the ref and linesman gave them numerous dodgy decisions but City with their extra quality ripped Utd apart, despite the league table saying otherwise on our good days if both teams play well, I think we are better than Utd and Arsenal and are a match for Chelski, possibly many teams would say the same, Everton, Leicester, Watford, Wolves for sure so unless those sides sort it out the next few PL seasons could see a changing of the guard outside the top 3 and Tottenham are only a couple of player sales away from dropping back.