The Hush and the Insomniac’s Rush Published 19/03/18 on Irons United

It’s been a torrid time both on and off the field. Karren Brady has said sorry whilst all stadium parties continue to point fingers at each other and the FA still hold their breath before delivering their verdict…oh and let’s not forget a shift in stance as the media barons direct their inquisitions towards the board now. One has to wonder if someone is running scared and whether the board have finally begun to realise what an absolute mess they’ve made of running West Ham?

All are seemingly waiting to see what the trio will do next, what defences they will put up to barricade themselves in until the dust settles and what rectifications they can implement in the immediate future. For most fans, their talk is cheap and is devoid of substance and much less integrity, however they have an opportunity to turn this ship away from the rocks before we all sink to the depths of Davy Jones’ Locker.

They have acted as pirates who have looted the treasure chest which is perpetually being refilled by the television revenues and attendance numbers, but now that pot of gold is in risk of running dry and now they seek to ‘Parlay’ with all interested parties to save their own bacon. You’ve got to admire their honesty and integrity here!…or maybe not!

Regardless of their warm words to cosy up to the fans and media, the fact remains that the club’s only salvation lies in the hands of the manager and players…but it could just to be too late and a bridge too far now!
The squad returned from their Miami warm weather training camp and will engage in friendly fire this week with Dagenham and Redbridge whilst many of the leading stars jet off to international duty. Whilst in theory the warm weather camp has benefits, once again this will be nullified by a lack of momentum gained because of another international break.

The players will have missed out on any competitive match action for nearly three weeks, whilst the rest of the West Ham world has been falling apart, the fans have revolted and have felt the revulsion too. This lack of togetherness has been the curse of the season and will likely be the team’s undoing as they prepare for the Southampton encounter at the London Stadium on Saturday week.

In the ideal, the warm weather training would have been performed during the 10 days prior to the game at the end of the month, as it stands now the players may have peaked a few days too soon and will lag once again when the first whistle blows. Almost a futile exercise, a poorly planned strategy at worst and at best totally mistimed.

The team performances during the games ahead need to focus on the fundamentals and do away with luxuries the club can ill afford. I have long called for a change in tactics and formations as I have not felt that many of our current players have the youthful sprite and stamina, let alone pace…to make the current formation be effective enough.

Whilst many see the benefits of three central defenders and two wing backs, I began to pick holes in the team’s application soon after the Arsenal game in which I feared it was starting to break down. Each and every battle since then has been fraught with danger and calamitous error. Most performances have been wanting clear direction, whilst the offensive tactics and play has been like fumbling around on a teenager’s first date. There might be purpose, there might be willing but overall the end results were clumsy, poor and quite frankly embarrassing!

Moyes, Pearce and the rest of Kool and the Gang need to whip the boys into shape but not solely physically…they must be mentally prepared to launch on the front foot and charge for ninety minutes. There can be no other method employed nor tactics that would see the team hesitate in midfield or build up defensive walls. It must be positive and it must deliver a clear message to the fans that their commitment is true and their might is mighty.

The next few games are all about winning back the hearts and minds of the supporters, regardless of how much dissatisfaction and dissension has been portrayed, no matter how much ill feeling their’s around the club and how much negative media attention the recent actions have drawn. This is not just about winning games and earning points to crack open the table and let daylight shine through, this is about healing rifts and saving the club from possible if not probable ruination if relegated to the Championship is to be such a foul destiny.

Yes, one could argue this is all fanciful and the merchants of doom and gloom have settled in for the night, however there is real risk of a snowball effect leading to a spiralling downwards which will be to nobody’s benefit. Whether the owners stay or leave, ultimately they will want to protect their cash cow and keep earning from their investment. If they feel there is advantage in selling up, they would want the club to be in good standing to attract the would-be buyers in the first instance.

The players must step up now and deliver a performance that has been asked of them, both from the manager and the fans too. They have been gifted support for too long without much paid in return, so now is the time to settle debts and deliver the dreams that may have been lost to crumbling times.

Every fan and every member of the club…whether from within the boardroom or the boot room wishes only good things for the next few games. There will undoubtedly be tough encounters ahead as the mightier of the league square up against the team, however they have to be strong, stubborn and ready to go punch for punch during each minute. This is the hush before the storms ahead…this is the West Ham insomniac’s rush and we hold our breath until we know our fates.