We've seen some shocking comeback collapses in football history, but West Ham's recent implosion might take the cake. The Hammers were on the brink of a miraculous win, only to collapse in the final minutes of the match.
The club's ownership tug of war seems to be at the heart of the issue. Ex-Newcastle co-owner Amanda Staveley is trying to buy into West Ham, but current co-chair Daniel Kretinsky is against her involvement. Fans are worried that the boardroom bickering will impact the team's ability to win promotion straight back to the Premier League this season.
West Ham's supporters are calling for the club to sort out their off-field problems before it's too late. "If West Ham can't begin to iron out their very obvious off-field problems, they won't have a chance in the Championship," one fan said. Another fan added, "No signings. Three midfielders sold. Boardroom bickering. League One beckons."
The team's current squad lacks depth, and fans are worried that they won't be able to compete with other teams. "We need to buy some new players to have a realistic chance of going straight back up," a fan pleaded. The club's lack of investment has been a major concern, with some fans feeling that they're not prepared for the season.
West Ham's current situation is a far cry from the mouthwatering partnership between Kretinsky and Staveley that fans had been hoping for. "The idea of a Kretinsky/Staveley partnership, with AS eventually taking Sullivan's shares was mouthwatering," one fan said. Now, the club is in limbo, with no signings and a season just 10 days away.
The London Stadium will be a challenging place for West Ham to play, especially with the huge crowds and intense pressure. "Every team that comes to the London Stadium will feel like it is their cup final," a fan pointed out. West Ham will need to match the intensity of their opponents if they want to succeed.
The club still has a few weeks left to secure some new players, but fans are worried that it might be too little, too late. "There's still a couple of weeks left to secure some – there's money there so spend it please," a fan pleaded. West Ham's fate will be decided in the coming weeks, and it's anyone's guess what will happen next.
West Ham's Slaven Bilic will be under intense pressure to deliver results, but the team's current situation doesn't bode well for their chances. The club's ownership tug of war, lack of investment, and off-field problems are all major concerns that need to be addressed. If West Ham can't sort out their issues, they might be facing a long season in the Championship.
Source: Yahoo Sports