Zola was very clear in his Stoke City post-match interview that West Ham were playing well but not getting the rub of the green.  He likened the current situation to the poor run last season last autumn, when we were putting in very good performances but not getting the points that they deserved.

Zola felt that all the signs are there that we wll turn the corner very soon.  He pointed out correctly that we are being punished for every mistake at present and that the team need to cut them out to progress.   You have to feel for Zola at present, things are not going his way and he is obviously operating in a difficult circumstances.  However, he will do what we all expect of him.  He will work hard to put things right on the training ground and put out a team to play expansive, attacking football .  Zola and Clarke turned it around last season, to go on to win deserved plaudits, and they will do it again. 

We need to get back to the defensive solidarity of last season and in Green, Faubert, Illunga, Tomkins and Upson we have the defensive unit to do it.  The return of Berhami and Collison is a massive bonus, Berhami in particular has returned firing on all cylinders.  He is a massively influential player and he is going to be crucial in turning things around.

We definitely have the quality in defence and midfield to improve results.  In Diamanti and Jimenez we potentially have two very good playmakers.  However, they need to start taking games by the scruff of the neck and hurting the opposition.  In young Stanislas, we have a genuine player of pace and skill, who has the ability to run at opposition defences and cause problems.  He must be encouraged to use those assets and given the freedom to express himself.

There is no doubt that we have lacked a cutting edge up front.  Too often Cole is left isolated because the support play in the 4-3-3 is not close enough.  Personally, I think that our best, and most immediate, solution is to play Cole and Hines as a strike duo.  In addition, Franco needs to be given the opportunity to show what he can do; as do Nouble and Dixon in due course.   We all know that our biggest lack at present is the absence of a proven, top class goal scorer.   That has arguably cost us points so far this season, as we have failed to turn domination in to goals.  We can not even think about doing  anything to bring someone in until the January window, but what we can and should do in the meantime is show faith in Zavon Hines’ pace and finishing ability.  Who knows, he could save us a lot of money?

In the minus column, the negative speculation around the club continues.  We need to hope that this is not adversely affecting the playing staff too much.  After all, cohesion, morale and team spirit is vital when you are battling for improved results. 

The story at the weekend about pay differentials within the squad and the contracts terms of our younger players is, at face value, a worrying development.    However, If the story is true, I refuse to believe that the club are not on top of the situation and actively dealing with it.   Hines in particular should be signed up to a new contract and the terms of the contracts of the likes of Tomkins, Stanislas and Collison need to be  re-negotiated. 

Ideally, I would have preferred more experienced cover in key positions.  We are very reliant on inexperienced players as squad cover.  Also, we need to be mindful of not over-burdening or burning out our youngsters.  It is particularly difficult for youngsters when results are going badly, that’s when experience is vital.  Yet, on the other side of the balance sheet, we are attracting these young prospects because of our unrivalled reputation for developing and blooding our youth products.  Also, young players need PL exposure to progress, rather than stagnate as they do at clubs like Chelski and Liverpool.  It’s the rationale underpinning project football.  But It is also about getting the balance right!

One very positive peice of news at the weekend was the story about the opening of negotiations with the new US based consortium about a takeover.  It offers hope of a cash rich consortium taking over, the injection of substantial funds in to the club and putting us back on track.  The ‘cherry on the cake’ is that they are allegedly a consortium of wealthy Hammers fans!  I do not doubt that C&B Holdings represents a safe life boat for the club, but the lack of investment in the summer has proven unhelpful to our cause. 

We need to know the exact details of the deal, but in principle, it would be positive to have a consortium of cash rich Hammers fans taking control of the club.  A consortium that has the interests of the club at heart, as well as a business plan.  C&B Holdings make me nervous because they view us purely as just an asset, the value of which needs to be protected to eventually pay off creditors.  Ok, if business interests are what are protecting our club’s future, then that is good enough in the short-term, but there is no doubt that the club would be an happier place if there was a board that we fans could relate to and was investing in the Hammers future. 

So, that’s my take on a number of issues relating to the club at present.  I have taken care to show that there are positives as well as negatives to consider.  On balance, do you agree with Zola, are better results just around the corner? Moreover,  could we also be on the cusp of a bright long-term future with new owners and investment?

SJ Chandos.

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