Hmmm, the last time West Ham had a chance of being near the top of the 'tip' was in 1985, with just a few games to go it seemed the Boys from the Boleyn were about to take their rightly deserved place at the top table, under the guidance of the late and great Jon Lyall.
Not so many people outside of the club were aware of just how close it came to reaching the summit, because there was a TV black out of games due to a dispute between the broadcasters and the FA, so no one got to see any of the games unless they were there in person.
The similarities between the 85-86 season and the one that is just about to come to fruition are weird to say the least, the roles being reversed in that it is easy to see the games on TV, but impossible, with the exception of the final game, to have witnessed games in person.
Back in 1985/6 the two Mersey 'giants' conspired to ensure that the Irons didn't reach the top, there was a strong suspicion at the time that Liverpool and Everton colluded to ensure Everton got maximum points, thus ensuring Hammers couldn't reach the top spot.
The events didn't receive much coverage and disappeared into the vapor back then, fast forward to the present, and Manchester United's decision to make TEN changes to their starting line up against Leicester is par to the course! Having effectively ensured that West Ham cannot over take Leicester in the race for the Champions League, United wil tomorrow more than likely help Liverpool over take Hammers at the last fence by grabbing sixth spot in the Barclays Premier League.
Missing out on the Champions League will be a big blow, however the Europa League at least offers an opportunity to qualify for it the following season, dropping down to the 'conference cup' however would be relatively disastrous due to the amount of games that would have to be played.
One can sense a palpable sense of relief from North London as both 'Tottingham' and L'arse don't have to face seeing their rivals from East London hogging the limelight as they have done for so many years, and when the dust has settled it should be remembered that both of those clubs were part of the 'septic six'.
In the 'Lyall' years when Hammers missed out last, there was a massive fixture congestion due to the appalling weather that winter, so teams ended up playing schedules very similar to now in order to complete the season on time. Hammers suffered then, and have now, due the schedules of other clubs. The Man U and Pool game had to be rescheduled because of the unrest outside and inside their grounds, resulting in 'the boy wonder' fielding an under strength team that could see Liverpool pipping Hammers for the last remaining 'meaningful' Euro slot.
The reason there were demonstrations is of course because fans were, quite rightly, outraged by the respective decisions of their club's owners, however it seems incredibly unfair that one of the major losers in the resulting situation should be West Ham and it's fans, many of whom see the situation as a 'big fit up'.
So long as Hammers enter the Europa League in one of the 'prime slots', then this season has to be hailed as a great success, one in which the wafer thin squad has had every inch rung out of it but finally fell short of the ultimate dream..a bit like the words from Bubbles, they faded and died. - Ed
Comments
have to disagree Nev
Manure entitled to play whoever they wanted and the reason this side was so weak last night is because he will not want to lose to the bin dippers thursday night.....and we had it in our own destiny but failed miserably against the toffees so all we can hope is that Manure beat the bin dippers then once more it is in our hands...we are now down to play 3 teams that have nothing left to play for where as we do.....we can still catch Leicester but if chelski beat them twice and we have to win and rely on the spuds then i thing Lasagne gate will come back to haunt us and they will fall on there sword to prevent us getting near it...then i feel we have a right to be aggrieved but last night mehh it was expected.
It's one of them to be honest
It's one of them to be honest, half expected. If we had won against Everton, then we would have more cause to have the hump I think.
But to quote the great Chris Pope of The Chords "Now it's Gone"
i think
the the so called big six should have a 6 point deduction as punishment not just money fines that's like a tap on the wrist to these billion aires they should know that their selfish actions have repercussions on the teams that they own ,that would see us in the champs league and deservedly so I.M.O
if it was us/Leicester/Everton
Points deductions for sure but no the Prem league not got the balls....and not just the Prem look at the footy league got Derby bang to rights on a fiddle minimum sanction is 3 points deducted but they may leave that till next season!?? errr why i hope Wycombe kick up a stink over it as they have been relegated instead of Derby...so follow the rules go down cheat and get rewarded....grubby sport at times
What with a Manure legend
What with a Manure legend leading Derby there's no way any points will be deducted this season.
Nah
Can't for the life of me seeing Utd, Everton or Liverpool colluding to help the other out, not in 85-86 or nowadays. When the day comes that West Ham suspiciously drop points to help Millwall or Spurs then I'll believe there may be some substance to this story. Cmon Nev, don't stoop to Sun newspaper levels.