Over the years David Gold and David Sullivan have been accused by West Ham fans of showing a lack of ambition.
An unsuccessful stadium move, many wasted millions in the transfer market, some questionable managerial appointments and several poor transfer windows over the last few years has led to fans asking questions of their desire, and even ability, to take the club forward.
The last year has seen incredible progress, arguably the best season since the former Birmingham City duo bought the club over a decade ago, and we now have a proper Europa League campaign to look forward to next season – finally some progress after years of mediocrity and relegation battles.
But with the recent progress comes even more pressure to maintain such levels, and that will mean ensuring the right players are signed this summer. The 2020/2021 season could’ve been a lot better had the squad not been so thin, and that’s something David Moyes is going to need to address before the beginning of next season.
And Peterborough United Director of Football Barry Fry, who was manager of Birmingham City when Gold and Sullivan owned the club back in the early 1990’s, things the owners and Moyes will now be focused on doing what it takes this summer to build on the recent success.
He exclusively to West Ham World: “I know Gold and Sullivan, when they went in they wanted in the next five years to get into Europe.
“They’ve done that, it’s been a difficult journey along the way but they’ve done it and knowing the two David’s they’ll want to go on from that, or the three David’s, they’ll want to improve the squad and go higher than where they’ve gone this year, which is great news for West Ham fans.”
To be quite honest, this is the absolute minimum fans will be expecting, and while it is great news for us that Gold, Sullivan and Moyes will want to push on and improve the club, it’s should not be news that that’s their ambition this summer.
There isn’t any expectation amongst the fanbase that we’ll be challenging for another top-six finish next season, but what we don’t want to see is more of what we’ve become accustomed to over the years, which is poorly thought out recruitment, sub-standard performances on the pitch and another battle to beat the drop. All we want is visible improvement and progress.
Admittedly there is no evidence that we’ll experience any of that while Moyes is in charge, but this summer needs to be done right if we’re to avoid slipping back into our old ways.
Time will tell.
