The next level? Here’s what it’s NOT
By CandH’s Allen Cummings
So at least one decision has been made.
It won’t be David Moyes we’ll be looking to, to take us forward to that often quoted “Next Level”. An over-used cliche so many seem ready to throw out there on a regular basis.
But whether it’s likely to be Pellegrini, Benitez, Emery or someone else, do we really know where we want to be heading? What actually is it we’re searching for? How do we get to this ‘Promised Land’ whatever that is andwill we know it when we do?
When David Moyes arrived we were in the basement level of the Premier League -the relegation zone. Hovering over the gaping trap door that would have engulfed us and ta ken us down even further.
The fact that we eventually finished in 13th place might suggest we had already aspired to the ‘next level’ from where we were then – the level that finally provided us with a safe haven.
Thirteenth might have been lucky for us this time. But clearly that isn’t enough. So where should our sights be set? What level should we be aiming for? Will it be a realistic level? Or a La La Land beyond our capability?
Since I began supporting West Ham in the late 50s we’ve always been a club that flattered to deceive, a club capable of producing three true legends instrumental in winning the biggest prize in world football but at the same time capable of being humiliated by so-called minnows in cup competitions, even with those three self same footballing heroes in the side.
It’s what we did…what we’ve always done. We’ve enjoyed good seasons, and sometimes great seasons. But more frequently we’ve found ourselves flirting with relegation – and on more than one occasion succumbing to it.
So would the ‘next level, for us simply be a sustained period of Premier League stability, the best league in the world. Tony Cottee, not adverse to giving us the benefit of his wisdom, at the bequest of his paymasters on Sky, certainly seems to think that’s where our top priority should lie.
Reliable and rock solid stability in the bread and butter of the league, but at the same time happy to let our hair down, so to speak, in the cup competitions, always ready to play our strongest team in the hope of making that glorious trip to Wembley and the prospect of winning some silverware.
Or maybe the next level to some is playing with a swagger and style – a swash and a buckle with the emphasis very much on attack,happy to accept the prospect we’re likely to concede a few goals, but always in the hope we can manage to score one more than we let in!
Pleasing on the eye, full of entertainment…dare I say it: “The West Ham Way”. But is that philosophy really practical in today’s football where if it goes horribly wrong failure can be catastrophic for a club.
Maybe we should seek a return to the days when we produced a significant number of our own players, bringing them up through the ranks forgoing the temptation to go out and make those marquee signings that seem so sought after in certain quarters.
Would our fan base be happy with that? Is that the level they would like us to operate on? Almost certainly not is my guess.
Without doubt there would always be the clamour for more. For bigger and better. We want “top six” I hear the call. European football. Champions League. World class players in a world class stadium.
But is that really possible? Is that level realistic? There is such a massive gulf now between the current top six and the rest, us included, isn’t bridging that gap just a pipe dream? Don’t get me wrong. I’d love for us to have a seat at the top table.
But I’m a realist not a fantasist. An old timer who believes he knows what’s practical and achievable. Like it or not, whatever level we finally settle at, that’s one level I believe will sadly remain beyond us!