Sport
WHY 2015-16 COULD BE AN EXCITING SEASON FOR WEST HAM
The four-year relationship between West Ham and Sam Allardyce that came to an end in May always seemed like a marriage of convenience. Appointed in 2011 to lead the club back to the Premier League following relegation from the top-flight the previous year, the former Bolton and Blackburn boss was hardly welcomed with open arms by the Upton Park faithful. Wary of Allardyce’s favoured methods and style of football – which was deemed to be antithetical to the traditional ‘West Ham way’ – many Hammers fans regularly voiced their discontent, even though initial results were generally positive.
Indeed, though Allardyce led West Ham back to the Premier League and subsequently kept them there, the majority of the club’s supporters were glad to see the back of him at the end of last season. Even his fiercest critics would find it difficult to argue that the 60-year-old did not do a good job in east London, but a parting of the ways seemed inevitable when both parties would so openly and publically disparage the other. With West Ham having consolidated their position back in the top-flight, a shift in direction was deemed to be necessary.
Slaven Bilic was identified as the man to provide it, the former Hammers defender instated as the club’s new manager last month. The appointment of a fans’ favourite in the dugout, together with some astute summer purchases in Dimitri Payet, Pedro Obiang and Angelo Ogbonna, has ratcheted up the levels of excitement around E13 ahead of the new campaign.
Payet, in particular, is an excellent addition: the 28-year-old was one of the best players in Ligue 1 for Marseille last term, a creative hub capable of playing anywhere across the forward line. Having turned down the opportunity to challenge for a Champions League spot with L’OM, West Ham have pulled off something of a coup to land the France international.
Obiang and Ogbonna, new arrivals from Serie A, are also excellent captures. The former will provide a fine blend of energy and technical quality in midfield, with the latter offering strength and good distribution from centre-back. Alongside the likes of Aaron Cresswell, Cheikhou Kouyate, Winston Reid, Andy Carroll, Carl Jenkinson, Diafra Sakho and Enner Valencia, the Hammers have a squad capable of challenging for the Europa League places.
Bilic’s side have already begun their participation in this year’s edition of the continent’s secondary club competition, their good behaviour last term earning them a spot in the Europa League through the Fair Play rankings. The tournament is often mocked by fans of the English game, but involvement for a club like West Ham remains prestigious, with the chance to pit their wits against some huge outfits from around Europe a fantastic opportunity for self-improvement.
Another reason for enthusiasm is the impending move to the Olympic Stadium, a development which could be of incalculable value to the club’s off-field progression. Upton Park – or the Boleyn Ground to give it its official name – is one of this country’s most iconic homes, but the chance to relocate to a 54,000-capacity arena provides numerous financial and other benefits that stand to serve West Ham well in the long-term.
Allardyce’s role in restoring the club to the top division should not be forgotten. Now, though, West Ham are embarking on a new era which looks set to be one of their most exciting in decades.
