Forum | Non-Football Related

Conspiracy theorists who were around in 1986 might just be starting to feel a little bit of deja vu as Hammers begin their final run in of the Barclays Premier League season. For those too young to remember, or those who weren't even born then, here is a brief resume˘of what occurred.

Believe it or not West Ham were top of what was the old first division, ahead of both Liverpool and Everton, the season was already unique in that there were NO broadcasts of any top flight games due to an impasse in the negotiations between the FA and the Television companies over broadcasting rights and revenues.

As the season drew to a close there were many fixtures that were back logged due to the fact that there had been a very harsh winter, as a result of which, the schedule dictated West Ham had to play three games in six days, which was bad enough, but worse was to come in the form of a 'happy clapper' agreement between the Mersey side clubs that saw them draw when they needed to, in order to ensure Hammers were unable to retain their top slot.

Had football been televised that season, such rescheduling would have been brought in to question, but as the owners of Liverpool at the time, the Vernon family, were also incredibly well connected with the powers that be at the FA, the situation was glazed over without so much as a whimper from the Irons hierarchy at the time, rumour has it that certain shares changed hands between the Cairns family and the Vernons around then, members of staff at the Boleyn who questioned what had gone on were summarily dismissed.

Yes the current fixture list looks further distorted by need to play the outstanding FA Cup fixtures, and the International break. In May the boot will be firmly on the other foot as West Ham have to play a series of 'catch up' games in a very short period, like most mangers, David Moyes would have preferred to have the games evenly dispersed, but alas it is not to be.

Perhaps dropping out of the top four won't be a particularly bad event, it would enable Hammers to sneak under the radar again, and maybe teams will start to underestimate what they are going to be up against in the final dozen games of the season again.

There is nothing fans, players or staff can do to stop other results from happening, it is to be hoped by the time Hammers play their next game, which is at home to Leeds next Monday night, that they will be closer to 4th than 9th in the Barclays Premier League table. - Ed

Glenn Roeder sadly passed away today at the terribly young age of 65, he had been 'medically troubled' ever since having the need for surgery to deal with a brain tumour while he was the manager of West Ham. He returned to the dug out seven months later and endured torrid abuse from the supporters of some visiting fans, and unfortunately from some home fans as well, they know who they are!

Roeder led West Ham to a seventh place finish in his first term as manager, and should probably taken a bit more time off after his initial illness, but he was determined to return to what he loved, football. Some Hammers fans nicknamed him Glen Rodent, due to his fine dental attributes, but all recognised that he was a fighter.

Our condolences go out to his family, loved ones and friends, Glenn Roeder 1956-2021 R.I.P

Given the club's unexepected and relatively successful Barclays Premier League season, there are rumours that David Moyes will surely be a lead candidate for manager of the year. This may be sweet music to the ears of Hammers fans, but there are a couple of key issues that are lurking in the back ground.

Primarily there are 12 games remaining, (H) Leeds, (A) Man U, (H) Arsenal, (A) Wolves, (H) Leicester, (A) Newcastle, (H) Chelsea, (A) Burnley, (H) Everton, (A) Brighton, (A) West Brom, (H) Southampton. Hammers play three teams out of four, who WILL be fighting relegation to the end, in their last games.

There are three games to play in a tricky spell between the 8th and 15th of May which may de-rail Hammers push for Europe, we studied an a UEA algorythm of the possible outcome for David Moyes and his team, the results threw up more questions than answers!

Essentially, according to the 'master computer', the Irons can finish anywhere between a dissappointing 8th, and a quite remarkable 3rd position, in this craziest of all Barclays Premier League seasons. The more you crunch the numbers, the more difficult it is to reach a firm and definable outcome.

Currently sitting in 4th position with 45 points and 26 games played, West Ham have a 'welcome' 8 day break before their next fixture at home to Leeds United on Monday the 8th of March, unfortunately by the time the fixture is played, some of Hammers rivals will have played THREE games more.

Irrespective of the final outcome, David Moyes has worked wonders at his 'club of redemption, and will look to build on the solid foundations that he has laid down next season, the usual reward for such an achievement would probably be the manager of the year accolade, however in the past the recipient has gone on to have a dreadful next season.

Moyes won't mind missing out on the award, especially if fate follows the recipient as it has done in the past, what he does want is to be 'left alone' to go quietly about his business, UNTIL it is imposssible NOT to mention it. - Ed

Manchester: Ederson, Walker, Dias, Stones, Zinchenko, Fernandinho (c), Gündogan, Mahrez, De Bruyne, Torres, Agüero Subs: Steffen (GK), Laporte, Mendy, Cancelo, Rodrigo, Foden, Bernardo Silva, Sterling, Jesus
West Ham: Randolph, Coufal, Diop, Dawson, Cresswell, Johnson, Rice (c), Soucek, Fornals, Lingard, Antonio Subs: Trott (GK), Martin (GK), Balbuena, Noble, Bowen, Lanzini, Benrahma, Odubeko