7 Games In 21 Days-Bring It On!

Sunday's 'six pointer' away to Aston Villa heralds Hammers 'frenzied' seven games in 21 days schedule ahead of the next ludicrous International break. While a game once every three days might seem a little extreme to some fans, they should remember what it is like to be in football's nether regions of watching on while their competitors 'Lord it up' in Europe and in the domestic cups, not forgetting the Premier League as well.

"You can't make an omlette without breaking eggs" so goes the old expression and to compete on multitudinous levels in football requires a big squad of highly motivated players, something West Ham had been sadly lacking for years, but as Clarkson in his homage to Canada would say "that's all aboot to change!"

'Always the Bridesmaid, never the Bride'

Is another expression to sum up Hammers 'lean years' of which there have been plenty, whole generations of Hammers fans have grown up knowing nothing other than failure and 'near misses'. The club was always known as 'the Academy of football' and rightly so, unfortunately the Academy 'products' were invariably sold to other clubs who then made Hammers pay as the players either came back to haunt the club or were sold on at a massive profit, or BOTH!

While the club's impending schedule is not ideal, it is the price that has to be paid on the way to becoming an 'elite' force in football. The late David Gold was mocked for saying that his beloved club would be in the Champions League one day. Although that particular milestone hasn't been reached yet, there is every possibility it WILL be reached if the club continues in its current trajectory.

Everything is in place for the club to consolidate its recent achievements and move forward on a firm basis. Gone are the days of the 'West Ham resting rooms' for past it players, unless Harry Maguirs somehow arrives a the club! Instead, with Tim Steidten overseeing the players offered to David Moyes, young hungry and hugely resalable players are now the order of the day.

So the squad is in place, now all they have to do is win as many of the games they face in the next 21 days as possible.

Here is the schedule: 22/10 Villa away-26/10 Olympiakos away-29/10 Everton home-01/11 Arsenal home-04/11 Brentford away-09/11 Olympiakos home-12/11 Forest home.

The games are then followed by the 'Interludicrous' break to allow FIFA and UEAFA to fill their coffers! With 'normal' play resuming on November 25th with the away game against Burnley.

Plenty of games, but isn't that what everyone wanted? Be careful what you wish for, because sometimes you might actually get what you want! - Ed