Over the last few weeks, with only international football on the agenda, many fans, myself included, have spent a pint or two debating West Ham’s season so far in the Championship. The conversation inevitably leads to one intriguing question:
Bizarrely, is it preferable to be in this league?
The absence of VAR is certainly one attraction, but perhaps the optimism surrounding the club runs deeper than that. Is the positivity simply a by-product of being one of the division’s heavyweights rather than an underdog fighting for survival? Supporters want to be entertained, and Nuno has had to adapt his approach accordingly.
That said, his more conservative instincts have surfaced on several occasions. Most notably, West Ham squandered a 2-0 lead at Turf Moor, settling for a 2-2 draw. Similar frustrations emerged during the first half against Millwall and in the 1-1 draw at Watford, where opportunities were few and far between throughout the ninety minutes.
The reality, however, is that remaining in the Championship is not financially sustainable for a club of West Ham’s size and ambition. The current squad simply would not exist over the long term, while the club’s brightest academy prospects would quickly become targets for wealthier sides.
It is also worth acknowledging the changing landscape of English football. Clubs such as Bournemouth and Brentford, despite their smaller fanbases and stadiums, are currently perceived as bigger clubs in footballing terms because of their Premier League status. It was undoubtedly a factor when Malick Diouf opted to join a London club where he faces competition from several established players for the left-back position, and has resided on the bench for much of the time.
Diouf had no intention of playing for West Ham this season and his move to Brentford illustrates the gulf between Premier League and Championship
Should West Ham achieve promotion this season, survival in the Premier League would require significant investment. Yet under the constraints of PSR, spending freely is no longer an option. Even if the club were to establish itself comfortably in the top flight, the realistic ambition would likely be qualification for the Europa League or Europa Conference League rather than the Champions League.
Yet the Premier League remains where the money is. It offers the opportunity to test yourself against the elite, enjoy the occasional victory over the likes of Arsenal or Chelsea, embark on a memorable cup run, and compete on the biggest stage. The downside, of course, is accepting the reality that many weekends will involve sitting deep, defending for long periods and grinding out results both home and away.
It is a genuine conundrum and there is no right or wrong answer. However, recent history serves as a warning. Outside of the Premier League, Leicester City now find themselves in League One following successive relegations, while Burnley are currently battling at the wrong end of the Championship. Success and stability in football can disappear far quicker than anyone expects.
It’s ultimately a question of wants and needs – there’s no doubt, as it stands this season, we’re having fun, and we’ll no doubt continue to if we keep on this trajectory. So by that measure, I’m sure there’s many of us that would say we would want to stay in the Championship. But never mind being a heavyweight in the Championship – the club SHOULD have all the ingredients to be a heavyweight in the Premier League, certainly more so than Brentford or Bournemouth. So in that context, although we’re having fun, we need to be in the Premier League, with all the inherent baggage that goes along with it.
Couldn’t have said it better myself.
A club of this size and stature, coupled with the right leadership team appointing progressive and talented coaches, should be a pre requisite to deliver attractive, competitive football, no matter which division!