Mind the gap!
Article by e-West Ham Correspondent Brandon Freeman
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The weekend proved to be a worrying one for West Ham fans who were hoping to have a more relaxed end to a season that has tested the nerve of both fans and Chairmen alike. The performance against Liverpool last week certainly showed that we can play much better football where we aren’t under pressure and has certainly given me hope that we can take points off the likes of Arsenal and Tottenham who are both in dismal form at the moment. However, these matches may have just taken on some increased importance following this weekends results, with West Brom, Crystal Palace and Fulham winning, the sides closest to us are starting to catch up therefore to West Ham fans already celebrating being safe, I think their celebrations may prove to be a little premature.
Following an outstanding February of four consecutive wins we had started to open up a gap which relived the pressure, but just six points taken from a possible eighteen in our last six games has meant that West Ham may have just started to look over their shoulder again at teams such as Fulham and Crystal Palace who have taken nine and ten points from their last six matches.
With away trips to Arsenal, West Brow and Manchester City still to come before games against Crystal Palace and Tottenham at Upton Park it is still possible that we could be pulled down into a battle with the likes of Swansea and West Brom. Also with the increased prize money available at the end of the season, West Ham certainly need to finish as high as possible to ensure that money is available to Big Sam for next season in order to avoid a repeat of what has been a forgettable season for the hammers.
As well as taking as many points as possible from these five remaining games to ensure we are mathematically safe as soon as possible, the run in should also provide Sam Allardyce with the perfect opportunity to evaluate his options for next season with the contracts of players such as Matt Taylor, Jussi Jaaskelainen and Joe Cole expiring and the end of the loan deals of Pablo Armero, Marco Borriello and Antonio Nocerino. Personally, I was very impressed with the performance of Pablo Armero against Liverpool, he looked quite solid defensively and showed some fantastic attacking abilities to relieve the pressure, and with McCartney having spent much of this season injured I think the owners would be very foolish to let a player of Armero’s ability return to Napoli, particularly given that the player himself is keen to make East London his new home. Speaking to Sky Sports the Colombian said, "I would like to have a good end so in the future I have a new contract with the team."
Would like to see Armero pulling on a claret and blue shirt next season, and who else do you think deserves a place in Big Sam’s squad for next season?
© e-Football 2014 All rights reserved no part of this document or this website may be reproduced without consent of e-Football
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The weekend proved to be a worrying one for West Ham fans who were hoping to have a more relaxed end to a season that has tested the nerve of both fans and Chairmen alike. The performance against Liverpool last week certainly showed that we can play much better football where we aren’t under pressure and has certainly given me hope that we can take points off the likes of Arsenal and Tottenham who are both in dismal form at the moment. However, these matches may have just taken on some increased importance following this weekends results, with West Brom, Crystal Palace and Fulham winning, the sides closest to us are starting to catch up therefore to West Ham fans already celebrating being safe, I think their celebrations may prove to be a little premature.
Following an outstanding February of four consecutive wins we had started to open up a gap which relived the pressure, but just six points taken from a possible eighteen in our last six games has meant that West Ham may have just started to look over their shoulder again at teams such as Fulham and Crystal Palace who have taken nine and ten points from their last six matches.
With away trips to Arsenal, West Brow and Manchester City still to come before games against Crystal Palace and Tottenham at Upton Park it is still possible that we could be pulled down into a battle with the likes of Swansea and West Brom. Also with the increased prize money available at the end of the season, West Ham certainly need to finish as high as possible to ensure that money is available to Big Sam for next season in order to avoid a repeat of what has been a forgettable season for the hammers.
As well as taking as many points as possible from these five remaining games to ensure we are mathematically safe as soon as possible, the run in should also provide Sam Allardyce with the perfect opportunity to evaluate his options for next season with the contracts of players such as Matt Taylor, Jussi Jaaskelainen and Joe Cole expiring and the end of the loan deals of Pablo Armero, Marco Borriello and Antonio Nocerino. Personally, I was very impressed with the performance of Pablo Armero against Liverpool, he looked quite solid defensively and showed some fantastic attacking abilities to relieve the pressure, and with McCartney having spent much of this season injured I think the owners would be very foolish to let a player of Armero’s ability return to Napoli, particularly given that the player himself is keen to make East London his new home. Speaking to Sky Sports the Colombian said, "I would like to have a good end so in the future I have a new contract with the team."
Would like to see Armero pulling on a claret and blue shirt next season, and who else do you think deserves a place in Big Sam’s squad for next season?
© e-Football 2014 All rights reserved no part of this document or this website may be reproduced without consent of e-Football
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