VIEWSWESTHAM: 2017-18 SEASON
This page displays all the articles I wrote for ViewsWestHam, my own blog site. The articles were designed to be in-depth and analytical. The name of the blog stemmed from a West Ham dedicated Twitter account I had at the time, which is now defunct.
I am open to writing for any sporting blog websites, as long as they're fairly exposed and have good readership.
Enjoy ⚒
HOW MUCH TIME SHOULD BILIC BE GIVEN?
21st September 2017
Much has been made of Slaven Bilic’s position as manager of West Ham United, following a poor start to the season.
The Croat has been under fire from the fans before, particularly between October and December 2016, when The Hammers sat just above the relegation zone, and at the tail end of March 2017, when West Ham endured a five-match losing streak. But it is now when the pressure is at it’s highest ever, and rightfully so.
It does seem, that whenever the pressure on Bilic mounts, it is immediately eased. For example, after seeing defeat in games 27-31 last season, West Ham only lost one of games 32-38, at the hands of champions-league chasing Liverpool. This run saw us play some good football and gain four points against Spurs and Everton.
PABLO ZABALETA: A FAN FAVOURITE ALREADY?
10th October 2017
When it comes to the term ‘Fan favourite’, many names spring to mind. Club legends will obviously get a mention, such as Bobby Moore, Billy Bonds and Frank Lampard Snr.
Then you will have the players who may not hold records, but dazzled fans with their ability: Paulo di Canio, Tony Cottee and Julian Dicks to name a few. As well as longevity, loyalty, record-breaking and dazzling talent, passion alone can also win over a fair share of fans, but it takes time.
Players who aren’t or weren’t even the best, such as Mark Noble or Carlton Cole, are widely admired and loved by hammers fans for their loyalty and commitment to the club over a number of years.
So, if Pablo Zabaleta, the 32-year old Argentine, has only been at the club for five months, is not the most spectacular player, and doesn’t ‘bleed claret and blue’, how can he already be considered a 'Fan favourite'?
FOUR MARKED IMPROVEMENTS UNDER DAVID MOYES
11th December 2017
Despite picking up just four points out of a possible fifteen, it can be said that West Ham have made a positive start to the David Moyes era
We finally picked up our first win since the departure of Slaven Bilic, the impressive 1-0 win over champions Chelsea at the weekend a milestone for the new man in charge. It wouldn’t be foolish to say that the turnaround of our season begins now, as Moyes has already seemed to have fixed a lot of the issues left by his predecessor. What exactly has Moyes done well so far?
Improved Marko Arnautovic - Even before his arrival, I was very critical of the Austrian winger. A player with all the talent but often not the attitude, Arnautovic has frequently had his work rate, team-play and commitment questioned.
And up until just recently, he had been justifying my criticism. Having only registered 2 assists this season, both against Bolton, Arnautovic has been far from worth 25 million pounds, and put in some shameful performances, like in the Brighton and Southampton games.
However, under Moyes, barring the Everton game, Arnautovic has been impressive in attack and defence too. This is something which we rarely saw under Bilic.
ASSESSING WEST HAM'S POTENTIAL JANUARY DEALS
19th January 2018
After a mixed start to the season, much debate has taken place over whether the club needs to make any particular acquisitions or sales this month. Those who have argued that we do need to, have so far been disappointed, with no in goings or out goings this month. As always, there have been plenty of rumours, and this article intends to give my assessment on them
ALFIE MAWSON - Mawson is an interesting prospect: A 23 year-old centre back, who already has experience in the top flight, but an extremely high price tag Of course, for the reported asking price of 50 million pounds, this is a deal we definitely should not explore right now. However, in the summer, when he could be cheaper if The Swans go down, I think he could be worth the risk. With Fonte and Collins ageing, and Reid/Ogbonna not on the young side either, a long-term investment is definitely needed.
There are question marks over whether Alfie Mawson is ‘A next level’ player, but with the unlikeliness we will get anyone significantly better, I think he could turn out to be a smart buy, with his potential to improve high. Secondly, I think we have enough centre backs for now: Reid, Ogbonna, Fonte, Collins, Rice and Burke being enough to regularly play a back 3.
HARLOW TOWN FC - NON LEAGUE FOOTBALL'S WEST HAM?
6th April 2018
Over the past two months, I have reported on four of the last five Harlow home games. The majority have been enjoyable to watch, with Harlow recently coming into form, picking up three straight home wins, all against opposition much higher up the table.
Considering my inactivity in recent weeks on this site, and the fact there will be LOTS to write about come the end of the season, here is a light article containing some of the similarities between West Ham United FC, of The Premier League and Harlow Town FC, of The Bostik Premier Division, England’s seventh tier of football.
A REVIEW OF ALL THINGS WEST HAM FOR THE 2017-18 SEASON
13th May 2018
In what was almost a carbon copy of last season, West Ham seemed ‘In trouble’ or ‘In poor form’ for the majority of the season, but ended up in a position not too bad on paper.
The 2017/18 season has ended with us in 13th, with 42 points (7 home wins, 3 away wins, 6 home draws and 6 away draws) and a -20 goal difference.
But let’s be honest. We’ve messed it up completely. Again.