This month feels like it could have a massive impact on West Ham for a number of reasons.
We started April in the best possible way in beating Southampton but we really need to pick up points against Fulham, Bournemouth and Palace to pull ourselves away from the threat of relegation. We’ve also got our Conference League quarter final against Gent. We need two more professional displays and I believe we’ll comfortably see the Belgian side off to book ourselves into our second European semi final in two years.
If we’re able to achieve both and then progress further to lift the Conference League, secure qualification to the Europa League, and finish 12th or 13th in the league, then it could be enough to persuade a number of our top players to stick around in east London. But should we stutter again in the league and should the unthinkable happen that we go on to be relegated to the Championship, I fear there will be a mass exodus, regardless of whether or not we win the Conference League.
I can’t see Coufal, Kehrer, Zouma, Aguerd, Emerson, Rice, Soucek, Paqueta, Bowen, Benrahma, or Scamacca sticking around. This changes the whole dynamic of our squad. We’d have to start again and even if we did bounce straight back up, we’d be much weaker.
Then, as we did under Big Sam, you have to fight for a few seasons to avoid the drop and stabilise yourselves again. And I’m not sure Moyes will still be manager of West Ham should we get relegated. His era coming to end after it had looked so promising after two successful seasons.
Be the first to comment