The style of football played, by successive Hammers teams over the decades, is something that most fans value. After all, it is the ’West Ham way’ to play a passing game, combined with attacking flair, is it not? It is a defining aspect of our club’s tradition and most supporters agree that West Ham teams need to try to play that way, regardless. Or do they?
It would be a interesting exercise to pose the question whether fans would accept a more negative brand of football if it brought greater on-pitch success. I remember Paul Merson on Sky posing this question, with reference to the Hammers, and asking whether it was better to have an under-achieving team, that tries to play the right way, or a more successful one based on organisation, discipline and the grinding out of results?
As I recall, Merson’s conclusion was that most football fans would take success over style. However, I do not believe that is true of the Hammers support as a whole. Look at the past antipathy of the crowd to former managers such as Lou Macari and Alan Curbishley who produced teams that were not in the classic Hammers mode. That insistence upon playing with flair and style is always there and Avram Grant, if he lands the job, needs to be acutely aware of the fact.
However, perhaps we should firmly reject this false dichotomy between style and results. Yes, the likes of Chelski and Man City have the resources to attract the big name stars and are probably more able to forge teams that play flowing, attacking football. But we do not need to play dull, mechanical football to survive and prosper in the PL. We can safely leave that approach to the Blackburn Rovers and Bolton Wanderers of this world!
Personally, I am of the view that we should aim to build a team that is in keeping with the best traditions of the football club. However, we also need to add certain essentials in to the mix. Those are defensive organisation, team spirit, playing as a cohesive unit and with consistency. After all, the Hammers team of 1985-86, that actually challenged for the title, managed it, if only for one season. That is probably the best model for us to follow for the future.
Do clubs outside of the PL elite need to make a choice between style and results? No, I want to see a West Ham team that combines the imperative to play attractive football, with the capability to battle and grind out a result, if necessary, in a midweek fixture at the Reebok. A team that will match others for aggression, as well as seeking to outplay them. One that will not be intimidated nor psychologically defeated before they even kick off at Anfield or Old Trafford.
Is that asking too much? Is that not the type of team that our new manager should be charged with building. One that will make any proposed choice between style and results totally redundant.
Arguably, that is the meta-objective that should be set for Zola’s eventual successor in the managerial hot seat.
SJ. Chandos.
Did Inter Milan bore their way to the Champions League victory?The West Ham way is ok, if you added Milito,Eto,Schneider and Maicon,flair players who can excite but we cant attract and cant afford one of the transfer fees let alone salaries so unless Uncle Avram and the 2 Daves cant assemble players who are hungry to succeed and win we have no hope.
The first objective is to get a decent structure and plan in place to cover everything involved on the playing side of which I am sure any decent manager will stick to and bring in players who can work under the system.
As a realistic West Ham supporter who has resigned himself to the knowledge that he will most probably never see his team win the Premier League, all we as fans have left is the prospect that we may pick up a trophy every 30 years or so, produce local talent that makes you proud, and produce a brand of football that is good on the eye. My first hero was Geoff Hurst, second was Trevor Brooking, closely followed by Devo. All three played in West Ham teams that struggled, as did Bobby Moore, Peters, Cottee, McAvennie, DiCanio, Cole, Lampard, etc etc etc. What I'm trying to say is without style the substance means very little. As mad as it seems to many, I would take losing 2-3 in a great game over winning 1-0 brutal and ugly, any day of the week. As West Ham fans, it's all we have left. If SUGO put a "footballing" team out onto the pitch, you will find people quite prepared to take the "pinches of salt" needed to endure Sullivan's outbursts. Turn West Ham into another Bolton/Stoke, long ball into the channels, feed of the scraps, percentage team, and prepare to see their "vision" go down the toilet.
I know genuine West Ham fans wouldn't put up with it!
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Please no I hope the Luca Toni story is not true!
Off subject but we've been linked with 4 Pompey players:
Boateng, O'Hara, Bel-Hadj and Tal Ben Haim
If we sign the latter I will cry, what a terrible player!
51 comments, 47 of which are aliens,spam?
Agreed. It's never been this bad. Needs to be sorted, Iain.
It is my belief that one exceptional player makes most of the difference concerning the way a team plays. When we were lucky enough to have DiCanio the rest slotted in to place and played around him in a stylish way. The same can be said for Tevez when he played he demanded the ball to feet and the ball played quickly with pass and move style of play. This is what quality footballers demand, and unfortunately something that has been missing for quite some time. If we could pull of the signing of Henry we will play attractive football. Failing that we will have to grind out a result with passion and hard work. Its what the lesser teams do to survive. Personally if we are struggling at the wrong end of the table come February again Ill settle for basic football if it means we win but if the new manager can work out a formula for stylish football and results then roll on europe. Tottenham and Fulham have succeeded so why cant we!.
It's a very interesting question that you raise, SJ, that is also perfectly timed. The new manager will need to decide upon the style and tactics that they are going to deploy whilst in the hot-seat. Only time will tell.
Personally I never want to see West Ham United cast off the principles that have made us what we are – not even if it means us getting relegated. I've noticed a change of approach of many fans. Sacrificing the "West Ham Way" to achieve the 3 points was suggested several times in the run up to games in the season just gone. My heart sinks when I hear this as it means that we may well become a Blackburn or Bolton in time if that's what's demanded by the supporters.
Thankfully, though, the faithful fans in the ground on matchdays still want to be entertained most of all.
Long live the "West Ham Way."
COYI!!
Of course we need to keep playing the west ham way, we are one of the few clubs who have a tradition that has a lasting legacy and whilst it is easy for us simply to whack the ball up to cole and get results that is not the west ham way and i am sure most fans want to be entertained instead of watching the ball in the air. We need to keep the tradition because the tradition that we have is through the acadamy and the first team and the players are up to it technically, the things lacking from last season were almost going into administraion, no funds and a lack of defensive organisation.
Regardless of who the next manager is we need to keep our traditions whihc means playing football the right way and by giving youth a chance, this why I would like bilic in charge because he will do both of these
I personally would never take success over good football, but with a decent manager there is no reason you cannot combine both, as Liverpool showed in the 70's you have to earn the right to play football, win the battle first and then you can play.
And can anyone help me, i think i am going insane, i am actually quite excited by the prospect of signing Boateng, breaking up the play alongside Parker allowing the latter too play more football, Belhadj who i think is the best left back at going forward outside the top 4 clubs, (did anyone else get elated at the headline Spector a Reading Star) and throwing in Avram Grant a Manager with Champions league experience, then the sudden realisation hits these boys got themselves relegated, Oh Well!!!!
Can't you do something about all this spam?
I don’t think its an either/or question. Playing an attacking, passing game with the ball on the floor does not mean that you have to be disorganised or frail at the back. I thought that when Steve Clarke first arrived at the club he started to get our defence into shape but this past season we went backwards. I can take us being turned over by the likes of Chelski and Man U as long as we put in some effort, but I can’t accept the likes of Wolves and Burnley scoring 3 goals apiece at Upton Park. If Grant comes in I hope he puts a lot of emphasis on good organisation and creating a meaner, harder defence. That becomes the platform for the flowing, attacking football in the best West Ham tradition that we crave. Unrealistic to think we can reach Europe but an entertaining less ‘stressy’ season with a top ten finish should be the aim.
It's actually been a long time since we played the "West Ham way" with a few odd exceptions. Zola wanted to but either didn't have the players or they didn't have the nous to deliver it. Curbishley certainly didn't deliver it and it is arguable whether Pardew did. Roeder had the team to do it but couldn't cut it so we go back to 'Arry and his team which included Di Canio, Sinclair etc. and the emergence of Joe Cole and Michael Carrick as well as Rio. At times they played some great stuff.
I would love to see a return to playing in our traditional style but the whole game is so much more about money these days that it is difficult to attract the right type of players to clubs like ours. However, if we are even going to try we have to appoint a manager who is willing to give it a go. Whether Grant is I don't know. What I do know is that Allardyce would bring a style that is alien to everything I want to see on a football pitch. But he won't be coming so that's OK.
That's absolutely right Roy – West Ham way? All I've seen in the past few seasons apart from when Zola first took charge is a team that resorts to pumping aimless balls towards a Harewood or a Cole. This was indeed especially true of the Curbishley era when finishing 10th was the most arid of dry experiences.
I think that if Allardyce were to be appointed, I would not be alone in not renewing my season ticket!
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OMG – it is spam city on this thread!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
There's been a lot of posts on this subject already so apologize if this has laready been mentioned.
I know this smay sound crazy but i actually think we lost our link with tradition when Terry Brown sold up to the biscuit barron. Prior to that of course, with the exception of (Lou Macari) the manager had always come from within the club, so we always played the West Ham way, thats all they knew and obviously it was entertaining and popular with the fans, you could be gauranteed entertainment if you witnessed a game at Upton Park.
I fear this is a tradition &, fair to say, a brand which we will soon remember fondly.
West Hams reputation for playing attractive football grew out of the clubs objective of scouting for the best young talent around, honing it through the infamous academy and unleashing top tier ready young players into a team which could accomodate and allow them to express their skill. This showcased their talents & would attract big offers for the player from other clubs.
I dont hear SuGo mentioning anything about maintaining we play that brand of football and soon we will have yet another manager who doesnt have Claret & Blue blood.
[...] How Important is the Style of Football? | West Ham Till I DieThe style of football played, by successive Hammers teams over the decades, is something that most fans value. After all, it is the 'West Ham way' to. [...]
As a West Ham supporter all I ask for is a top 10 finish, flirting with an Europa league place every season (ish) & some decent football played along the way. Oh & to turn the spuds over every season. Is that too much to ask??