When West ham were taken over by Sullivan and Gold, brighter days were on the horizon. The Davids quickly identified the financial issues that needed resolving, in particular an excessive wage bill (paying Kieron Dyer more than minimum wage may, in itself, be called excessive). Finally, the Hammers had owners who were realistic and pragmatic, putting the club on a long term plan for success and, more importantly, survival.
Then they offered Ruud van Nistelrooy £100,000 a week.
Since then, the West Ham chairman have increased their share holding in the club, and increased the circus around Upton Park. Links to Miroslav Klose, Loic Remy, Neymar, Yakuba and a clutch of Portsmouth cast offs are not just a result of lazy and crazy journalism. While Avram Grant eases himself into the hot seat, Sullivan and Gold go about making massive offers for high profile or high potential players. It's an age old trick to get season ticket sales up on the basis of a couple of 'Marque' signings, and do I hate the term Marque. Might as well mean expensive, pointless, and falls down in a stiff Northerly breeze.
Sullivan was quick to make every player available for transfer, save the one player who people might pay top dollar for, Scott Parker. There are certainly a few players at the club who think rather too much of themselves, and a cheaper but equally skilled replacement would not be too hard to find. However, football players are not 'glamour mag' models that Sullivan made his fortune from. His comments would have sent a torpedo to morale.
West ham's academy is legendary and rightfully something to be proud of. The club should be looking to make the most of this production line, rather than gambling money it does not really have on players who are unlikely to take the club to the top. Maybe the club's ambitions are too high, but can any honest Hammers fan claim they are going to out-perform the likes of Tottenham, Villa, Everton or even a downbeat Liverpool? A place in Europe is very unlikely.
Last season's relegation struggle was a surprise given the set of players the club has on its books. Injuries to key personnel did not help, nor the new owners undermining former manager Gianfranco Zola. Unless a flood of offers come in for the likes of Rob Green, Matthew Upson, Behrami, Cole and Noble, the club in its current state should be targeting 12th or better.
The strange things is, when in charge of Birmingham Sullivan and Gold were known for being tight on the purse strings. Maybe their hearts are ruling their head, but after the disillusionment of the Icelandic escapade, West Ham fans would appreciate some realism and honesty. If they aim for the sun they may get burned. By taking a longer term view they may be able to overtake their rivals and then they can begin to reach for the stars.
Thursday 15 July 2010
Monday 5 July 2010
Could the Cottage Crumble?
Roy Hodgson achieved a first European final for Fulham and deserved a crack with a bigger club as he enters the twilight of his career. Fulham, on the other hand, face the difficult job of finding a replacement that can keep up the momentum under Hodgson. One bad move, and Craven Cottage could be in the Championship.
Undoubtedly, Hodgson maximised the potential in the Fulham team - they were far greater than the sum of their parts. The Londoner's style of training ground routines, repeated over and over again until the team could play together with their eyes closed, produced the best from a bunch of forgotten men, Premiership rejects and continental unknowns.
The bosman signing of Mark Schwarzer was a masterstroke; Danny Murphy was rejuvenated, Bobby Zamora was prolific and pushing an England call up; Brede Hangeland came from nowhere and became a defensive colossus. Even Chris Smalling, a rare product from the reserves, came in and impressed, securing a move to Manchester United in the process.
Hodgson saved them from relegation, secured a Europa League place, then a European final. Talk about a tough act to follow!
The good news is there has yet to be an exodus of players, following Hodgson's wake. The vultures, however, have started to circle. Arsenal have sniffed around Schwarzer and Hangeland, Birmingham had interest Zamora. And with a new manager coming in, transfer targets identified by the shrewd Hodgson may be missed as the new man settles in.
Lets examine the candidates. Alan Curbishley, with a record of doing quite well with small teams, save one season at West Ham, would be relatively cheap and would hopefully do a pretty solid job, keeping Fulham up without too much hassle. On the other hand, he has upset various members of the current Fulham playing staff, having managed and sold half a dozen without much shedding of tears. If he comes in, can Fulham survive a disgruntled squad that would undo all Hodgson's hard work or, even worse, a major upheaval of the squad?
Mark Hughes is available. His wages may be slightly higher than Fulham would want to pay, but Hughes does have a point to prove after his tenure at Manchester City, would have the respect of the players, and his stint at Blackburn shows he can get the best out of a workmanlike team. He may even attract a few quality players.
Sven Goran Eriksson is available, inevitably. His club record is still impressive, but would Fulham have the transfer budget that the Swede would need to produce the goods? Gianfranco Zola has also been linked and, like Hughes, he has a point to prove. He could bring a more attractive style of football than his rivals, which might balance out the lower results than will come after Hodgson's peak.
A new and interesting name into the mix is that of Huddersfield manager Lee Clark. A young manager and former player, Clark has had the Yorkshire club playing some impressive stuff, albeit in a lower league. Being a former player and British, Clark would be afforded time to mould the time into the style he wants, and would be happier dealing with the relatively restrictive Premiership budget that Fulham operate under. But after an epic European adventure, would Fulham fans and players be happy giving another manager a step up the career ladder?
In my view, Hughes, Clark and Zola, in that order, should be the favoured candidates. There is a good balance of determination, ambition, respect (from fans and players), and realism. Fulham cannot match the highs of last season - transition will bring inconsistency, although I would not be surprised to see the Cottagers mount a domestic cup run - but the last thing they want to do is employ someone who rocks the boat, puts them in a relegation battle and then gets the boot before Christmas.
Fulham have the advantage that mid-table sides have in that they can plan for the long term. They can unearth diamonds and sell them for a profit, and every once in a while make a headline or two. One bad move and the club may never recover. At Fulham, with its lack of big name stars, the man who is manager is all important.
Personally, I hope they make the right choice.
Undoubtedly, Hodgson maximised the potential in the Fulham team - they were far greater than the sum of their parts. The Londoner's style of training ground routines, repeated over and over again until the team could play together with their eyes closed, produced the best from a bunch of forgotten men, Premiership rejects and continental unknowns.
The bosman signing of Mark Schwarzer was a masterstroke; Danny Murphy was rejuvenated, Bobby Zamora was prolific and pushing an England call up; Brede Hangeland came from nowhere and became a defensive colossus. Even Chris Smalling, a rare product from the reserves, came in and impressed, securing a move to Manchester United in the process.
Hodgson saved them from relegation, secured a Europa League place, then a European final. Talk about a tough act to follow!
The good news is there has yet to be an exodus of players, following Hodgson's wake. The vultures, however, have started to circle. Arsenal have sniffed around Schwarzer and Hangeland, Birmingham had interest Zamora. And with a new manager coming in, transfer targets identified by the shrewd Hodgson may be missed as the new man settles in.
Lets examine the candidates. Alan Curbishley, with a record of doing quite well with small teams, save one season at West Ham, would be relatively cheap and would hopefully do a pretty solid job, keeping Fulham up without too much hassle. On the other hand, he has upset various members of the current Fulham playing staff, having managed and sold half a dozen without much shedding of tears. If he comes in, can Fulham survive a disgruntled squad that would undo all Hodgson's hard work or, even worse, a major upheaval of the squad?
Mark Hughes is available. His wages may be slightly higher than Fulham would want to pay, but Hughes does have a point to prove after his tenure at Manchester City, would have the respect of the players, and his stint at Blackburn shows he can get the best out of a workmanlike team. He may even attract a few quality players.
Sven Goran Eriksson is available, inevitably. His club record is still impressive, but would Fulham have the transfer budget that the Swede would need to produce the goods? Gianfranco Zola has also been linked and, like Hughes, he has a point to prove. He could bring a more attractive style of football than his rivals, which might balance out the lower results than will come after Hodgson's peak.
A new and interesting name into the mix is that of Huddersfield manager Lee Clark. A young manager and former player, Clark has had the Yorkshire club playing some impressive stuff, albeit in a lower league. Being a former player and British, Clark would be afforded time to mould the time into the style he wants, and would be happier dealing with the relatively restrictive Premiership budget that Fulham operate under. But after an epic European adventure, would Fulham fans and players be happy giving another manager a step up the career ladder?
In my view, Hughes, Clark and Zola, in that order, should be the favoured candidates. There is a good balance of determination, ambition, respect (from fans and players), and realism. Fulham cannot match the highs of last season - transition will bring inconsistency, although I would not be surprised to see the Cottagers mount a domestic cup run - but the last thing they want to do is employ someone who rocks the boat, puts them in a relegation battle and then gets the boot before Christmas.
Fulham have the advantage that mid-table sides have in that they can plan for the long term. They can unearth diamonds and sell them for a profit, and every once in a while make a headline or two. One bad move and the club may never recover. At Fulham, with its lack of big name stars, the man who is manager is all important.
Personally, I hope they make the right choice.
Thursday 1 July 2010
Where now for Sunderland?
Sunderland are fast becoming the very definition of a mid table team - capable of upsetting the top teams, but also liable of collapsing against the basement boys. Three years after promotion into the Premiership, this could be seen as an achievement, but given the backing of the board should Steve Bruce be aiming higher?
13th last season was not too bad for a team in transition and one that went on a terrible 14 game winless run. However, having spent £16 million on Darren Bent, as well as splashing the cash on Frazier Campbell, Lee Cattermole and Lorik Cana amongst others, its fair to say that a top half finish was not too much to ask.
Bent repaid his fee, scoring nearly half of Sunderland's goals, but other players can feel disappointed with their performances last season. Anton Ferdinand and Keiran Richardson are two examples of English talent that has failed to deliver and Black Cat fans can and should expect more from them.
A lower profile does allow the North East club to give youngsters like Henderson and Meyler a chance, and for that Bruce must be congratulated. But as Niall Quinn and the Irish consortium that owns the club provide yet more funds, it's time that the club mounted a challenge for the Europa League spots, rather than looking over their shoulder at the relegation pit. Even if they do not qualify for Europe, they need to show the ambition that will attract a better quality of player.
Today's papers link them with Matthew Upson for a cool £7 million - a truly troubling amount for a player who was wretched for a team on the cusp of relegation. While fitness concerns surround John Mensah, surely he would be a better buy and much cheaper.
Sunderland have a history of paying too much for average players, with Roy Keane's tenure a prime example. At 31, Upson has little to no resale value, and unless Bruce can change some fundamental flaws in his game - a lack of pace coupled with a lack of concentration make a calamity waiting to happen - and change them immediately, the money spent will be a bad sign for Sunderland's summer transfer strategy.
Unlucky to only get a point at Old Trafford, beating Arsenal, Liverpool and Tottenham shows they have the team to get big results, although their woeful away record may indicate a lack of desire and determination when the Stadium of Light crowd is not behind them.
With Newcastle back in the Premier League, the fierce rivalry can resume once again, but Sunderland would do well to keep the bigger picture in mind. Newcastle should not be on the same level as Sunderland, at least not this season, but if the Black Cats allow themselves to be consumed with only finishing above Newcastle, they could have another disappointing season.
Bruce has been unafraid to pay an English premium on his players, which is admirable if not quite sensible, but if they can uncover a couple of cheaper gems in Europe and beyond, as well as get more from the likes of Kenwyne Jones, Steed Malbranque and Andy Reid, then there is no reason why they cannot finish in the top half of the table and target a cup run or two.
13th last season was not too bad for a team in transition and one that went on a terrible 14 game winless run. However, having spent £16 million on Darren Bent, as well as splashing the cash on Frazier Campbell, Lee Cattermole and Lorik Cana amongst others, its fair to say that a top half finish was not too much to ask.
Bent repaid his fee, scoring nearly half of Sunderland's goals, but other players can feel disappointed with their performances last season. Anton Ferdinand and Keiran Richardson are two examples of English talent that has failed to deliver and Black Cat fans can and should expect more from them.
A lower profile does allow the North East club to give youngsters like Henderson and Meyler a chance, and for that Bruce must be congratulated. But as Niall Quinn and the Irish consortium that owns the club provide yet more funds, it's time that the club mounted a challenge for the Europa League spots, rather than looking over their shoulder at the relegation pit. Even if they do not qualify for Europe, they need to show the ambition that will attract a better quality of player.
Today's papers link them with Matthew Upson for a cool £7 million - a truly troubling amount for a player who was wretched for a team on the cusp of relegation. While fitness concerns surround John Mensah, surely he would be a better buy and much cheaper.
Sunderland have a history of paying too much for average players, with Roy Keane's tenure a prime example. At 31, Upson has little to no resale value, and unless Bruce can change some fundamental flaws in his game - a lack of pace coupled with a lack of concentration make a calamity waiting to happen - and change them immediately, the money spent will be a bad sign for Sunderland's summer transfer strategy.
Unlucky to only get a point at Old Trafford, beating Arsenal, Liverpool and Tottenham shows they have the team to get big results, although their woeful away record may indicate a lack of desire and determination when the Stadium of Light crowd is not behind them.
With Newcastle back in the Premier League, the fierce rivalry can resume once again, but Sunderland would do well to keep the bigger picture in mind. Newcastle should not be on the same level as Sunderland, at least not this season, but if the Black Cats allow themselves to be consumed with only finishing above Newcastle, they could have another disappointing season.
Bruce has been unafraid to pay an English premium on his players, which is admirable if not quite sensible, but if they can uncover a couple of cheaper gems in Europe and beyond, as well as get more from the likes of Kenwyne Jones, Steed Malbranque and Andy Reid, then there is no reason why they cannot finish in the top half of the table and target a cup run or two.
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