In part three of this series, Wigan’s relegation credentials were put to the test but now it is time to shed some light on West Ham United, who have risen up to the challenge of retaining their English Premier League status in the past four weeks.
19. West Ham United
After free falling through the first part of their English Premier League campaign before the Christmas, West Ham United have now risen to the challenge of maintaining their status as the fourth London club in the English Premier League. The Hammers have
gone down relegation road once before under Gianfranco Zola in the 2009-2010 Premier League season. West Ham United barely retained their status as an English Premier League club back then. In the summer of 2010, West Ham parted ways with Zola and replaced
the Italian with Avram Grant.
The summer transfer window saw Grant sign various players whose arrival was set to strengthen the West Ham United squad. However, as the season began in August, West Ham began to fade away. After losing their first game against Aston Villa, the Hammers went
on a losing streak of four games before gaining a point against Stoke City on the 18th of September 2010. At the moment, West Ham United is 19th in the English league table and if they do not improve their form, Grant’s men may well not
be playing in the Championship next season.
In the January transfer window, West Ham acquired the services of http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Wayne-Bridge-c36733 alongside some other players. The arrival of such accomplished Premier League stars has boosted the atmosphere inside Upton Park but West Ham needs
to keep this “positive vibe” going so that they can carry it forward till the end of the 2010-2011 season.
Furthermore, West Ham’s form at home has been especially disjointed. So far, West Ham United has only played 13 matches at Upton Park in the English Premier League. Out of the above mentioned thirteen encounters, West Ham have won three, drawn four and lost
six. In doing so, Grant’s men have conceded 20 goals.
On their travels, West Ham United have only won two out of their 14 matches thus far in the Premier League while drawing six and losing six. Overall, only Blackpool and West Bromwich Albion have conceded more goals than West Ham United in the English Premier
League which means that the Hammers will need to improve on their defence in the upcoming matches. Moreover, West Ham United has a tough run into the English Premier League finish line in May, 2011.
Avram Grant’s team still needs to travel across town to face Tottenham and http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Liverpool-c39809, Manchester United and Aston Villa at Upton Park. Nonetheless,
the last three matches of the season are easy ones for West Ham United as they host Blackburn and Sunderland while travelling away to DW Stadium to face Wigan Athletic. One can see the tie against Wigan as being an extremely decisive one as the Latics are
also battling relegation battle at the moment.
All in all, West Ham United have started to pick up their form and play some proper football just at the right time. Now what remains to be seen is whether their late revival will be enough to guide them through to Premier League safely.
Conclusion: West Ham United to stay in the English Premier League for another season.
In the last part of this feature series, Mick McCarthy’s http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Wolves-c40952 are given their verdict as the Premier League jury tests their character and determination.
The views expressed by the writers are his own and do not reflect the editorial policy of
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