Unbeaten in nine and currently second in the form table based on the last six games – what a time to be alive!
Going by last season’s heroics up to Christmas, we were unplayable and played a new way where even the likes of Morgan Amalfitano looked class.
Unfortunately that same season we saw a decline in the side where injuries and lack of squad depth led to us winning just twice between the turn of the year and the end of the season, which eventually led to us parting ways with Big Sam.
Big Sam is the one we should be crediting alongside Payet and Bilic. Sam laid the foundations for Bilic to build his attractive hipster-like flamboyant football, a type of football that HAS NOT been seen at the club…ever.
Yes we’ve had the Devonshire’s, Joey Cole’s, Di Canio’s and Tevez’s at the club, but to have a squad and an abundance of flair mixed with passion and guile is a first. This is the NEW West Ham Way.
As we all know, Big Sam saved us from the abyss of a tough Championship season with a day out at Wembley, followed by a successful Premier League reunion by finishing in the top half, a tale of two cup runs, almost risking relegation and a promising but yet deflated season ending his tenure at the club.
But look at the current players Bilic is using that Sam once based his squad around. Big Sam took on Noble, Reid and Tomkins from a relegated Avram Grant side, making them the spine of the side.
He brought in Carroll, Adrian, Kouyate, Valencia, Song, Jenkinson, Cresswell, Sakho and Zarate over his three Premier League years. These players improved the squad depth and make the club fight in games.
With Bilic’s additions – Payet, Lanzini, Moses, Antonio, Jelavic, Randolph, Ogbonna and Obiang – we have seen an average West Ham team become a force in the league and brushing aside a list of Premier League title contenders.
I give credit to Sam for stabilising the squad and making additions to do that, even if one transfer window we gambled our budget on a crocked Andy Carroll. I also give credit to Bilic for building on Sam’s legacy and looking to improve further.
What we need to do this January is to tinker, tweak, buff and polish the current squad to see us past the finishing line of this season and mount a serious FA Cup challenge.
The squad currently has an abundance of competitive players who feed off Bilic’s passion and we need to get players who will change the game in our favour from the bench.
Jelavic is a clever player and his off the ball work I have noticed a lot more in recent games. He opens up defences to give other players options to pass, run or shoot. If the rumours are true about a big money off in China, then all parties should take it and get an obvious Championship performer to replace him.
Zarate is another player who has been hit and miss. When he plays well it shows but when he plays badly it shows more, so to shift him off and again get another Championship player would benefit the squad.
Why championship players? I feel some Championship players will jump at the chance to join a Premier League side and will be patient enough to wait their chance and prove themselves, just as Michail Antonio has done.
In the summer I feel Bilic should add to the squad with a few players, not a major overhaul but to build again and make us stronger. Bare in mind we have at least three positions fill when Moses, Song and Jenkinson all return to their parent clubs.
Things are looking good for us Hammers at the minute, we’re doing well and exceeding my earlier predictions.
I thought we would get 38 points. We have 35 and its the second week of January. How wrong could I have been?
Don’t forget to check out HammersChat’s YouTube channel with KrisGonzo and Geo (RedHammer), chatting opinions, matchd ay predictions and West Ham related news.
You can follow Adam on Twitter here – @ArchiAAL
[interaction id=“none”]
James,
As you say we are all entitled to our own opinion, I respect that.
regards
Richard
Saying my post is stupid is your opinion, I value that. However to ignore what Sam done for 4 season at the club is even more stupid.
Support Sunderland? Yeah why not? Must Be better than being a denial hammers fan with rose tinted glasses on.
I’m a realistic & reflected supporter of a club I love with honest opinions.
If you want to write an article expressing all the bad about Sam, you’ll eventually find good things. You need to see where we are now and how we got there.
I think you’ve missed the point of the article, Richard. Open your mind and look beyond the signings a minute. Sam Allardyce laid the foundations upon which Bilic is now enjoying success, helped hugely by his own input and signings since taking over. Allardyce did everything that was asked of him while at the club and while he isn’t everyone’s cup of tea (I’m not his biggest fan!) you can’t simply dismiss the fact he was responsible for ensuring we were in a good position by the time he left the club just because of the transfers he did or didn’t sign. Of course you’re entitled to your own opinion, but please look at the bigger picture before dismissing another man’s honest opinion. We all know we’re much better off with Bilic than Allardyce, but it’s ok to still look back and give Big Sam some credit for the way in which he brought us up and established us in the Premier League.
Seriously? It’s one thing to disagree with a man’s opinion but to then be childish about it and suggest he goes and ‘supports’ Sunderland is quite tragic.
Richard says it all really give him credit for what? He wasnt in charge of getting players in as that wss sullys choices after fopey brains sam got jarvis carrol and noble plus the superb wolves centre half who couldn’t even get in thier side. No wonder sully wouldnt trust him to buy quality players as none made a sell on profit only losses. Luckily having nearly ruined our club they saved money just letting him run down his contraçt and sacked him at last. He is a lucky manager coach just managing with the most expensive championship side scraping a lucky win against blackpool after not even finishing in the top two spots. So lucky dopes like you didnt even notice that obviously so credit nothing and jog on adam and support your mans sunderland much more suited to your stupid post.
It is well documented that Allardyce did not want Sakho or Zarate, signed Jarvis for £10m! and took AC for £15m+ when he could have had Bony for half that.
Give him credit? your having a laugh!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Comments are closed.