West Ham fans have this season been blowing more raspberries than their traditional bubbles, as their side are sailing far too close to the relegation wind for comfort. Already 15 games into the season, West Ham are only kept out of the danger zone by goal difference, with only 13 points and 13 goals to their name. As bottom club Sunderland make the trip to Upton Park this weekend, the game is as close to a six-pointer as you are likely to see, with Sunderland's new manager Gus Poyet looking to build some momentum after two straight home defeats; the Black Cats five points behind West Ham. Glenn Roeder (despite the best efforts of Trevor Brooking) and Avram Grant are the most recent Hammers bosses to suffer the igmony of the Premier League drop, and Sam Allardyce has much to do to ensure he is not added to that list. With the January transfer window fast approaching, and Allardyce coming under increasing pressure to turn things around, the question must be asked - what can West Ham do to avoid a third relegation in a decade?
I am from Bangor, aged 24, and possess an MA in Journalism from The University Of Ulster. I have had work published in the Belfast Telegraph and interviewed several local footballers and Olympic athletes. I also run my own sports blog, 'Sporting Thought' in addition to contributing to What Culture.
