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.
No comments:
Post a Comment