West Ham Till I Die
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The S J Chandos Column

Will those 'twists and turns' help deliver Champions League qualification?

The emphatic nature of the recent victories over Watford and WBA indicates the determination of Bilic and the squad to take their Champions League bid right to the line. Some weeks ago, in the midst of the four consecutive score draws, I predicted that there would be ‘twists and turns’ to come and that the issue of CL qualification was far from over. And that is exactly how it has transpired. Man City’s 4-2 defeat to Southampton, Man Utd’s 1-1 draw with Leicester City and Swansea’s 3-1 victory over Liverpool, together with our clinical 0-3 despatch of WBA, all positively conspired to strengthen our position. Yes, Southampton could be a potential threat, two points behind us on 57 points, but I am confident that we can hold off their challenge in the ‘home straight’ of this memorable season.

We now stand five points behind Man City in 4th and eight points behind Arsenal in 3rd, going in to the final three games. Man Utd remain ahead of us, in 5th place, by a single point and overhauling them is firmly in our own hands. Particularly in terms of avenging that FA Cup quarter-final defeat when we meet them in the final ever Upton Park match on 10 May 2016 (the 36th anniversary of our 1980 FA Cup Final victory over Arsenal). Of our final matches, besides Man Utd, we face tough challenges at home to Swansea and away to Stoke City, but I am confident that it is realistic to take maximum points in those final three matches. Indeed, I am sure that this magnificent squad will win away to Stoke City (a partisan and hostile venue) if they need the 3 points for CL qualification.

This coming weekend could be absolutely crucial, particularly with respect to the outcome of Sunday’s match between Man City Vs Arsenal. If we despatch Swansea, that will put intense pressure on both of those teams, moving us to within 2 points of Man City in 4th position and 5 points of Arsenal in 3rd place. How do we want the result of that match to go? A draw would be advantageous, but perhaps the best option is a Arsenal victory? If the gooners win it will probably clinch them 3rd spot and absolutely pile the pressure on Man City going in to their final fixture at Swansea. And it will be pressure that could very well see them implode!

If we then win our all-important match (in hand) with Man Utd, that will put us 1 point ahead of Man City going in to our final match at Stoke City. Then it is a matter of getting the result to keep us ahead of them on points (Man City currently hold an advantage of 30-17 in terms of goal difference, which will hopefully not become an operative factor in the equation). If that scenario arises then I would back us to do it. Of course, we also need either Man City or Liverpool to fail in their respective CL and Europa League bids. In that respect, I am sure that we Hammers will all become honorary Real Madrid and Villarreal fans for their respective semi-finals.

At the end of the day, all we can do is win our remaining three matches and hope that it is enough. We must maintain our existing strategy of fixing on Man City in 4th place and try to run them down. After those four drawn matches, is luck finally going to assume a claret and blue garb? they say that these things even themselves out over the course of a season. Lets hope that is proven to be the case!!

Leicester City have dealt the old PL order a potentially fatal blow by winning the title against all the odds. West Ham qualifying for the Champions League ahead of the two Manchester clubs would probably finish it off. A ‘world turned upside down.’ Indeed!.

SJ. Chandos.

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