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The Mike Ireson Column

Jeff Stelling speaks to WHTID

Coincidence is a funny old thing isn’t it.

A few weeks ago on these pages I wrote about betraying Jeff Stelling and trying out new rival BT Score (only to return back to the fold fairly swiftly).

And last Saturday, like many of you, Jeff and Matt Le Tissier ruined my afternoon by heaping much bad news upon us from The Hawthorns.

On Sunday I was watching my stepson play in an under 17 Hampshire Cup match. Running the line in front of me was the opposition goalkeepers Dad. Nothing Unusual there I hear you say, and indeed you would be right, but this linesman was one half of the previous afternoon’s double act of doom, Jeff Stelling.

Afterwards, despite my stepson scoring the winning shootout penalty past his son, Jeff very kindly agreed to share a few thoughts on West Ham for WHTID.

Here is what he had to say –

MI: Looking at West Ham’s poor start to the season do you think this is just a blip or did we overachieve last season?

JS: You know I look at the number of changes to the back four, injuries, transfers, I mean it’s a worry. I think we said on the programme on Saturday that in 12 of the last 15 Premier League games they have conceded 2 or more goals, and you’re not going to win many games if you need to score 3 everytime. So look, they have some wonderful attacking players and I think it is just a blip, but if you look at the table at the moment it is worrying. It did strike me that every time West Ham signed somebody they were a forward or attacking player, so that is a concern that’s for sure. But you’ve still got a lot of people to come back from injury, and I always think that when Andy Carroll comes back, and fingers crossed he stays fit, then he will make a major difference because he just gives you a different option. And defensively he gives you a bit more solidity, at set plays you can bring the big fella back.

MI: So are we just too top heavy with attacking players?

JS: Yes you’re right you probably are a bit top heavy, but it’s the West Ham style isn’t it, the West Ham way if you like and as long as you win more than you lose you’ll probably be happy.

MI: Is Slaven Bilic the right man for the job?

JS: Yes, definitely, I think he showed last season that he was the man. 3 or 4 indifferent results doesn’t mean he is not a good coach. I think when he masterminded those wins last season when you go places like Arsenal and win, you think he is quality and I really couldn’t think that anyone would be unhappy with him.

MI: And the move to the Olympic Stadium so far has been a troubled one both on and off the pitch, is the new stadium detrimental to the team?

JS: Yeah it might be, Matt Le Tissier was saying that when Southampton moved to St Mary’s they did take a long time to adjust. There are similarities but obviously The Dell wasn’t as passionate as Upton Park, but it was similar, a tight little ground, the fans were right on top of the players and of course you move to a nice big swish stadium and the feel is very different. Particularly for opposition sides, you used to go to Upton Park on a Tuesday night and it was intimidating. I haven’t been to the new ground but I’m not quite sure you can replicate that atmosphere.

MI: Lastly can you give us a prediction for where you think West Ham will finish this season?

JS: Top 10 easily. I have no doubts they will finish top 10. You know it’s really early days yet, nobody should panic this early on.

Thanks again to Jeff for taking the time to speak and let’s hope he can deliver better news on upcoming Saturday afternoons.

COYI

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