Do you remember Stewart Robson, the midfielder that we signed from Arsenal in the 1980s? Well, he has been quoted recently in The Daily/Sunday Express (from The Times – The Game podcast) suggesting that there is an historic and current problem with the way in which the club is run. Robson states that while West Ham are a very good club, there remains a fundamental lack of professionalism, which was certainly apparent in his playing days. He points to a lax internal set up and players having far too much latitude/influence, which sharply contrasted with the more professional way that Arsenal were run. And he suggests that it is almost as if these factors are encoded in the club’s ‘DNA.’
“I played at West Ham and I went from a professional environment at Arsenal to West Ham who had just come third in the league (1985-86 season) and the players did what they wanted to, the players were running the club,”
“And it got no better because two years later they were relegated and I think that’s been the same for West Ham year after year. It’s a very, very good club but it’s not being run properly and it’s never had that real professionalism that’s made it a top, top club.
“There’s something in the DNA that’s not quite right at West Ham. I can always see them going to lose 4-0, 5-0 and they will have bad games where they will be absolutely hopeless because they’ve got something wrong with their DNA in terms of their professionalism and their mentality.”
“And having a manager with just a year left on his deal makes everything worse.”
Well, I am not sure about talk of West Ham’s DNA, however some of the points he made did accord with my own observations on the club down the years. It has always struck me that the club have exhibited a number of characteristics that have been apparent regardless of the board/controlling interests, the management or the staff in situ. Characteristics that include: an inability to launch/maintain a viable league/PL title challenge (apart from 1985-86); the number of times that we have been the ‘fall guys’ in cup giant killing acts; the frequency with which opposition clubs/players end their long standing losing streaks or goal droughts against us; our ability to win games where we are given no chance; and slip to disappointing defeats to teams we should rightly beat. As well as: defending from hell, failure to hold leads, constant injury crises/loss of key players and frequent refereeing/decision hard luck stories.
Take yesterday’s defeat at St Mary’s, nothing about it surprises me because I have seen it all before. The lax defending, the indiscipline that resulted in the sending off, the pre-match injury ‘jinx’ striking Reid and the last minute penalty. All narratives that we are well accustomed to from previous seasons. Even in the very good season of 2015-16, although our play was far better in all respects, we still suffered from unfortunate injuries and refereeing decisions, the latter of which probably robbed us of Champions League qualification that year. Similarly, we all know the prior despair of losing the last minute penalty, most recently in games such as the 3-2 away reverse at White Hart Lane (losing a 2-0 lead) or the away 2-2 draw with Leicester City. It is the classic down side of following West Ham United.
The major bright spot yesterday was the predatory finishing of Hernandez. That bodes very well for the future if we can just sort out our self-discipline and start defending properly. Really it is inescapable that if we score two goals away from home we should (in most circumstances) take at least a point away from opposition like Southampton. That we did not is a warning and the issues must be addressed urgently to get our season on track as quickly as possible. It is good that Arnautovic has apologised to the Hammers fans, but he needs to learn from it. The challenge was indefensible on any level and we have now lost his services for three matches.
Robson’s comments also point to Bilic’s contractual position (he is in the last year of his contract) and whether this weakens his authority with the players. I know the board probably want him to prove himself this season before agreeing a new contract, but is the uncertainty a factor actually militating against strong management and success? That is a moot point to be debated.
So, is it all in the DNA? Are there major professional and mentality issues at the club that need reforming? Is Bilic at a disadvantage dealing with the players due to his contractual situation? Or is Stewart Robson’s point of view way off beam?
SJ. Chandos.