West Ham United are a footballing enigma. We are a club capable of exhilarating highs and crushing lows, often within the same season. The Hammers have a knack for defying expectations, confounding pundits, and leaving fans on an emotional rollercoaster.
In recent years, the Irons have showcased both sides of its character. The heady days of European glory and impressive league finishes have been punctuated by periods of struggle and inconsistency. The appointment of David Moyes brought a sense of stability, culminating in the club’s first major trophy in nearly 50 years. Yet, the subsequent decline in form led to his departure.
The summer transfer window has seen a significant overhaul of the squad, with a host of new faces arriving at the London Stadium. The potential for both brilliance and disappointment is palpable. The Hammers could emerge as surprise contenders for a European place, or they could find themselves embroiled in a relegation battle.
West Ham’s unpredictability is a double-edged sword. On the one hand, it creates an air of excitement and anticipation among supporters. The hope of witnessing a magical season is always present. On the other hand, the fear of another disappointing campaign looms large.
As the new Premier League season unfolds, fans will be eagerly watching to see which version of West Ham will emerge. Will it be the team that dreams of European glory, or the one that battles against relegation? Only time will tell. One thing is certain: the journey will be anything but dull
Plenty of options in between those extremes Simon
Relegation battle?? What planet are you on!!
Been burned too many times!
Hoping Loppy gets this lot under control and we push on for a European spot.
However, I’ll never forget being relegated with a team that had; Michael Carrick, David James, Joe Cole, Ian Pearce, Jermain Defoe, Trevor Sinclair, Glen Johnson, Paolo Di Canio, Les Ferdinand, Freddie Kanoute and Steve Lomas in it!
Been a fan since birth, well to be fair didn’t know I was a fan for the first few years (thanks Dad), but yeah, it’s been a roller-coaster ride for me since the late 70’s.
Though I’m dreaming now of consistent top 6 finishes 🤞🤞🤞⚒️⚒️⚒️ COYI!
Glenn roeder took us down that year having a feud with dicanio and continuesly benching dicanio despite disappointing results still wouldn’t play our best player then he got Ill and brooking took over promptly restored dicanio to the starting line up and results improved and we nearly escaped and to this day we are the only team to be relegated on 42 points that relegation to me was all on roeder not being able to manage dicanio like redknapp did
I saw it slightly differently..During that season we had Arsenal at home and went one nil up…Kanuote missed a penalty and we collapsed ..Arsenal scored two late goals with Wiltord getting the winner.
I dont think we won a game after that.
Looking back ive always wondered what might of happened if Kanoute had scored…I t seemed the turning point of the season ..And i think Kanoute spent weeks on the treatment table with a groin strain towards the end.
Correct me if I’m wrong, but wasn’t that the vey first ever summer transfer window?
My recollection is that Kitson was forever injured, Kanoute was also having fitness and injury issues, Dicanio was out for a spell thus leaving us with a 17 year old Defoe to forage up front for a few games.
But the biggest problem with Roeder was that he continued to play Repka at centre back alongside Breen.
Terrible memories and we’ve never seen a better footballing team since Redknapp left.
Nothing demonstrates this more than the Christmas double feature against Blackburn Rovers in 1963, I think. Results: West Ham 2 Blackburn 8; two days later: Blackburn 1 West Ham 3. How on earth did that happen; & it was with Moore & Hurst in the team.
This IS the “West Ham way”. I learnt it very early on in my 66 years of support !
Yeah, that was it, and still it. Anything can happen with West Ham – then and now.
The best example of the ‘West Ham Way’ was the team assembled by John Lyall for the 1985-86 season. That team demonstrated what Greenwood’s and Lyall’s vision was.
Typical of West Ham to allow both McAvennie and Cottee to leave within two years of that 3rd place season. And shortly after the inevitable relegation, Wardie departed as well.
A magical season these days would be finishing 4th and getting into the CL but that is football today. West Ham has, and always had had character. Success in the PL has gone to teams owned by friends of Putin, Middle Eastern nation states and American Investment funds. (EDITED) MT
Yes, I did edit your comment. When you allege stuff that is nothing to do with football, I can’t be bothered talking to a lawyer before deciding whether to ‘delete’ or ‘edit’ – I don’t have the time. If you want your posts to stand, please don’t be offensive or allege stuff which I find contentious or need to go away and waste hours checking. I cannot be bothered. Posting on Claret and Hugh is not a ‘right’ when you make such contentious and derisory comments.
What’s wrong with you?
Fortune’s always hiding.