Those familiar with the structure of classical Greek tragedies will know that they generally exhibit the following story development telos (the unfolding of events towards a given end). Everything starts positively and then a combination of ill fortuna, and the character/ethical failings of the principle character(s), results in a sharp and irreversible descent in to doom, gloom and destruction. Well, West Ham may have resembled something of a Greek tragedy at times in the past (ie. the club’s failure to build on the players/successes of the mid-1960s and the whole Icelandic take over episode), but things are very different with West Ham in the new London Stadium era. And there is every chance that the club will avoid the Greek tragedy telos, overcome its indifferent start and go on to have a very strong 2016-17 campaign
We have certainly suffered a stuttering start, even though (as has been pointed out elsewhere) our current record is no worse than this exact juncture last season. You just could not legislate for our early misfortune with injuries, particularly losing such creative play-makers as Payet, Lanzini, Ayew and Feghouli; plus, such crucial players as Cresswell and Carroll. However, now Payet and Lanzini are back and we have added some good quality signings to cover for the longer-term absentees. We should have the strength-in-depth to excel, now it is just a matter of the new additions settling in and Bilic establishing the right balance/rotation of the squad. He has had the very welcome opportunity to review his tactics and squad deployment during the week long international break and, hopefully, we should start to see the benefits against Waford on Saturday.
The club undertook the vital third stage over-haul of the squad this summer and added some 13 players. Make no mistake, there is a process involved in bedding that number of new players in to the mechanics of the club and the first team squad. And the early absence of such influential existing players could not have helped the initial process. It is a major over-haul, by anyone’s definition, and Bilic will be working as hard as he can to develop a cohesive, enhanced squad, with good form and morale. Yet, as usually happens, a hero tends to emerge in difficult situations, who takes up the cudgel and saves the day. Prior to the international break, that hero was undoubtedly Antonio. Yes, he had a couple of dodgy performances at right-back, but the truth is he is a goal scoring winger and such he should be played in that position. This is evidenced by the fact that when he was moved forward, he scored the vital winner against Bournemouth and also scored and was outstanding in the 2nd half fight back against Man City. Antonio’s subsequent England call-up was very well deserved and belated congratulations to him on that.
Indeed, as much as I despaired at the 1st half performance, I was hugely encouraged by our strong come-back in the final 45 minutes. Ok, we lost 3-1 and City deserved the three points, but it could have been very different if City had lost Aguero, as they should have for the elbow on Reid. Nevertheless, that come-back demonstrated to me the strength and spirit in our depleted squad, the same strength/spirit that served us so well last season and will undoubtedly re-emerge in this campaign. Now, the cavalry (Lanzini and Payet) and the new reinforcements (Zaza, et al) are available to supplement and re-vitalize our play after the international break and we can look forward to the rest of the season with far greater confidence.
It may take two or three matches to get fully up to speed, but we can win those matches, assemble vital points and rapidly move up the table. Obviously, we should not take a win over Watford for granted, they are tough and difficult opponents, but all things being equal, we should take the three points on Saturday. And hopefully that will be the opening shot in a very successful 2016-17 PL campaign and consign our early difficulties to memory. A bit like the early home reverses to Bournemouth and Leicester City were forgotten last season. Then it will be a case of crisis, what crisis?
My take is a 3-1 victory for West Ham, with Zaza grabbing a goal in his debut. COYI !
SJ. Chandos.