West Ham: A Force to be Reckoned With?

Back in September 2008, West Ham United football club were in trouble. The manager, Alan Curbishley, had walked away from the club he loved after a string of disagreements with the board over the selling of players without his consent. The global recession had put the team’s future in doubt because of the ownership by an Icelandic consortium and lack of funds available to the board meant that it was increasingly likely that star players would be sold to help pay the massive debts.

When Gianfranco Zola was first unveiled as the new manager on the 11th September 2008 many fans doubted the board’s choice. The Italian had only had one previous position as an assistant coach to the Under-21 Italy side, which he had held since 2006. Supporters became less concerned following the appointment of assistant manager, and Zola’s close friend, Steve Clarke on the 15th September. Clarke was released from his contract at Chelsea FC following West Ham expressing an interest in the former Scotland Right-Back and after a compansation fee was agreed.

The managerial team of Gianfranco Zola and Steve Clarke won their first two league games in charge (3-1 against Newcastle and 1-2 against Fulham) and West Ham supporters were becoming more and more excited at the young duo’s impact at the Boleyn Ground. But things, once again, began to go downhill.

Following the 1-2 win over Fulham, West Ham went on a run which saw them win once in twelve games(0-1 against Sunderland), claim only 7 points and end up only one place above the relegation zone at Christmas. The Irons failed to secure any points in October (four losses from four), and seemed to be unable to adapt to the type of play that Zola and Clarke wanted from their players. Although the team did earn credible draws away at Chelsea and Liverpool during that period of twelve games, the fact that the team only scored five goals in that spell suggested that the idea of attractive, flowing football which Zola seemed to desperately want from his players was not the style the team was destined for.

Come the Boxing day encounter against Portsmouth at Fratton Park, West Ham sat one place and one point above the relegation zone. The Claret and Blue team from East London needed a big win to propel them back up the table and away from the possibility of entering the Championship. And on that day, West Ham got the right result. Withthe team going a goal behind in the eighth minute, the trend of the previous games seemed to be rearing once again. But when youngster Jack Collison equalised in the 20th, the fighting spirit appeared to be back. Carlton Cole and Craig Bellamy added three goals between them to make the final score an incredible 1-4 in favour of the Irons. The irons then went on an 8 game unbeaten run which saw them push up into a battle for 7th place and the Europa league.

However during January there was much speculation about West Ham’s financial future, any many star players were linked with moves away from Upton Park, including Scott Parker and Matthew Upson. One player that did leave was Welsh Captain Craig Bellamy, who forced a transfer to Manchester City, in a move where West Ham received £14 million. There was much concern when Zola failed to purchase a replacement for Bellamy, instead investing in 19 year old German Savio Nsereko.

Following the sale of Bellamy, it was highly probably that West Ham would not be able to score the necessary goals to qualify for Europe. However a large number of goals were not necessary, as the West Ham defense had a stunning second half of the season and conceded minimum goals. Although West Ham ultimately missed out on Europe  they still finished a respectable 9th place in the league, which was the joint highest finish they had earned so far in this spell in the Premiership.

Following the take-over of the Club by CB Holdings, it has been strongly debated if this is a good or bad thing for the club. But with the promise of all players that want to stay can stay, all money earned going into transfers, and the signing of Jimenez from Inter Milan it looks as though Gianfranco knows exactly what he is doing and the type of play he wants.

Zola showed his commitment to the cause and his belief in the team when Scott Duxbury said to him that he would like the team would take seventh next season. His reply was simple. “Only seventh?”

Claret and Blue is looking as good as any team this year. Maybe the Italian Job is now to steal a place in the Champions League.