Can West Ham stay in the Premier League?

Before the season started I wrote an article about how I thought West Ham wouldn’t endure another season of relegation troubles but it looks like I could be wrong.

The Hammers are struggling this season and unless the situation changes soon their fans will be heading to Championship grounds next season, as they currently find themselves bottom of the Premier League.

Pressure

West Ham boss Avram Grant admitted that there is pressure on him but he also stated that he believes in his players.

He told Sky Sports: “Since I have been in football, there have been a lot of times with pressure from different angles,”

“This, I think, can be a good pressure, and I have told the players that if they take it in the right way, they can go from the relegation zone to being a good team. We need the support of the crowd, and they are great, we can feel them behind us.

“But sometimes they are a bit impatient with a few players, and need to keep it to the end of the game. I can understand them, because they have some frustrations, but can take that as energy, so can the team.”

Fans

I believe that West Ham fans are pretty loyal and they can see that their team are not performing to the best of their ability. I doubt there are many sets of fans around the country that would be happy with their club being bottom of their division.

West Ham fans are no different to any other fans all they want to see is their team performing on the pitch. West Ham fans have become accustomed to disappointment in recent years but this season has been awful even by their standards.

Quality

It’s not like West Ham have a poor squad either. The squad contains the likes of England internationals Robert Green, Matthew Upson and Carlton Cole. All three players’ reputations have taken a downward turn in recent months but they are still quality.

Midfielder Scott Parker he is the heartbeat of the West Ham side and every time I have seen the Hammers play he has been their best player. He was also the inspiration for his side to survive relegation last season.

If West Ham are going to stay up the former-Charlton player must stay fit. He is for me their key player and inspires those around him.

Striker Carlton Cole must also somehow recapture his best form. He has been in awful form this season, yet he received a call-up to the England squad for the recent friendly against France.

Cole has all the attributes to be a top class striker but somewhere along he has not developed as expected. Surely it’s time for him to start fulfilling his potential?

Boss

I have always liked Hammers boss Avram Grant but this season he has struggled to motivate his team. It was never going to be an easy job but he now has to prove he is up to the task. He has already had the dreaded vote of confidence from the clubs owners, so he is in desperate need of a result this weekend.

Crucial

This weekend West Ham host fellow strugglers Wigan at the Boleyn Ground. This game is a must-win game for Avram Grant’s side. The visitors are 18^th in the league five points ahead of the home side.

This is the sort of game that West Ham should be winning and need to win if they are going to survive in the Premier League this season. However the way they are playing at the moment it’s not a home banker.

However if the Hammers can beat Wigan then maybe they can get their season back on track, if not then they could be facing a long hard season.

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