West Ham United have garnered a reputation as a proper footballing side throughout the years.
Paul Merson
Paul Merson spoke on Sky Sports‘ Gillette Soccer Saturday programme at 13:21 on Saturday May 6th, and delivered a stinging criticism of the so-called West Ham way, suggesting that he is still waiting to find out what that actually is.
The Hammers have not won anything of any note since their FA Cup triumph over Arsenal in 1980, but have often been admired by neutrals for their passing style of football.
That has changed, however, in recent years, especially during Sam Allardyce’s tenure. There seems to have been a lack of talented youngsters coming through their famed academy, and along with a whole host of poor acquisitions over the past year or so, they seem to be losing their identity as a football club.
And Merson embarked on a rant when quizzed by Sky Sports‘ Gillette Soccer Saturday host Jeff Stelling about the supposed ‘West Ham way’:
Paul Merson
“What’s the West Ham way. Please someone tell me, because I’ve sat on this show for nine years…what is the West Ham way? 1960’s that was, when they had unbelievable footballers like Bobby Moore, Martin Peters and Geoff Hurst. The West Ham way! They were winning play-off games at the Millennium Stadium about 10 years ago!.”
Slaven Bilic certainly has a lot of work to do at the club this summer, if he is to guide his side back into contention for a European place next term.
The whole squad needs attention from top to bottom, and if he is to bring the ‘West Ham way’ back to the London Stadium, he will need to sign players who are befitting of wearing the famous Claret and Blue strip.
West Ham United manager Slaven Bilic
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