Guest post by Ken Weingartner
I’m a West Ham supporter from New Jersey. I just quickly went through the year-by-year Premier League standings and, if my research is correct, the Irons on Sunday could become the first team since Everton in 2004-05 to finish in the top six one year after finishing lower than 15th the previous season.
Everton finished fourth in 2004-05 after finishing 17th the year before.
Additionally, West Ham could become only the sixth Premier League team ever to finish 16th or worse one season (or come from promotion) and then reach the top six the following year. They would join the previously mentioned Everton squad, two Aston Villa squads (from 16th in 2002-03 to 6th in 2003-04 and from 18th in 1994-95 to 4th in 1995-96), and Leeds United (from 17th in 1992-93 to 5th in 1993-94), plus Newcastle, which went from a promoted side in 1992-93 to 3rd in 1993-94.
I just thought this was interesting and wanted to share it. It reinforces how special this season has been for West Ham.
I forgot to include Nottingham Forest, which went from promotion to third place in 1994-95. When you exclude those early years of the Premier League, it’s quite rare to go from 16th to top six. Ken
Great stats thanks. You forget to mention by the way that it was also David Moyes who took Everton to 4th from 17th back in 2004.
Last season was tense after the restart and the relegation battle a nail biter.
This season has been a surprise and perhaps the most enjoyable in years.
Does entertainment get better than this?
Great post, Ken. And who was in charge of that Everton side?! I can remember going to watch us play Everton the last time we played them before Walter Smith – who was a fairly big name at the time – was sacked. They were really poor. We beat them with a deflected goal for a 1-0 win, if I remember rightly. We weren’t much better than them on the night. That was the last time that we managed to get anything from Everton for a while, I think. Moyes quickly turned them into a really competitive side, which stayed competitive for the best part of 10 years. Meanwhile, we lurched from one hapless manager to another, over the same period. If Moyes can do the same at West Ham – keep us competitive in the top flight of English football for the best part of 10 years – while it may, to some, sound like a modest ambition, we shouldn’t forget that it’ll be the first time it’s been managed in the Club’s history.
Got to agree ljd. 10 steady seasons could mean we get 5/6 cracks at CL.
Thanks everyone. Quite remarkable for Moyes to be involved again. Let’s hope they can finish the job in style Sunday! COYI