RELIEF FOLLOWED BY A DOSE OF REALITY!

After the joy felt by most of us in retaining our premiership status with a nervy win over another struggling premiership side , we return to the stark reality of our current situation.

Around a £100 million in debt and with a squad requiring significant investment following Duxburys failed project regime to prevent us suffering a similar fate next season, some big decisions are needed from Gold and Sullivan.These centre principally around Team Management ,our future Transfer policy and Funds to be made available in the Summer:-


TEAM MANAGEMENT:-

Whilst most fans are appreciative of the constraints that Zola and Clarke have had to work with, the growing view appears to be that he is not the Man for the job. Saved from Media ridicule by his "nice guy" status, Zola has shown himself to be inept with both his squad selection, tactics and ability to motivate the players on several occassions this season.Gold, interviewed on Talksport earlier indicated that Zola had succeeded in achieving the brief they gave him on taking control of the club when they took over and said he deserved a chance , although the fact that there was no comment with respect to Zola staying , probably said more. David Gold would appear to be the calmer of the our two chairman whilst David Sullivan is more emotional in his response.Putting emotion and what anice man Zola is to one side though, the question is can he take us forward as a club next season. For me the answer is No and therefore a replacement must be brought in

FUNDS AVAILABLE IN THE SUMMER:-

Given the investment made by the two Davids already and Mr Golds statement on Talksport that the aim next season was mid table medicority, it is clear that funding will be made available to the manager, although dont expect the outrageous spending of the Icelandic regime which threatend our very survival.

Indications are that their will be funds to reinvest from the sale of 31 Yr Old Upson who is out of contract at the end of next season and possibly Robert Green
and the over rated Behrami.The Swiss International has an excellent "engine" but his ability on the ball is unfortunately nothing better than average. With upwards of £20 million for these three and some additonal funding this could release in the region of £30 million to the new Manager.

TRANSFER POLICY:

The way forward must be similar to that adopted by Gold and Sullivan previously and that is to look for hidden gems abroad and promsing Championship players to augment our own Youth policy and a core solid spine.

At Birmingham, they often raided the likes of Arsenal for young talent like Larsson, Muemba and earlier Pennant and Upson.From the Championship came Cameron Jerome, Scott Dann and Roger Johnson at small sums who have all established themselves as decent Premier League performers or gone onto other things.All players at a decent age who will if necessary have a greater sell on and not command ridiculous wages of the Dyers of this world which have nearly crippled us.Players who will not see West Ham as another pay day but as their big move and the chance to establish themsleves in the Top league. The likes of Middlesbroughs David Wheater and Cardiffs Joe Ledley spring to mind.


Whatever happens it's going to be an interesting few weeks at the Boelyn.

_