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West Ham's season Curb'd by crock stars Upson, Dyer, Ferdinand, Bellamy and Ashton

Forget disappointing performances, West Ham’s mediocre season is all down to a staggeringly long list of players stuck on the sidelines. But is it more than just plain bad luck that's keeping them out of action?

by Alex Alsworth on 07 May 2008

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With the heavy investment of Eggert Magnusson and Co, West Ham were expected to make a real impression this season. Whether this was a realistic hope after their miracle relegation escape last year, their season slowly faded out and saw them stranded in tenth for most of 2008.

'You have to ask yourself whether players earning huge amounts of money at a club with no major aspirations this season really have the urge to get themselves fit to fight for a place'

It is always said you cannot blame injuries, but West Ham’s treatment room has read like a team sheet this season, with lengthy lay-offs for Matthew Upson, Julien Faubert, Kieron Dyer, Anton Ferdinand, Danny Gabbidon, Freddie Ljungberg, Dean Ashton and Craig Bellamy.

Physioroom.com lists FIFTY-FIVE separate injuries to West Ham players this season. Can this simply be put down to horrible bad luck, or is there something more seriously wrong?

Some blame manager Alan Curbishley for signing serial sicknotes like Keiron Dyer and Craig Bellamy, but both had been fairly regular for Newcastle and Liverpool the previous season. Both also had the potential to be great signings.

Comments (3)

by gary porter on May 07, 2008

ots time curbs went he is not a prem manager not now not ever

on May 07, 2008 on May 07, 2008

''Is anyone else getting fed up of being linked with real 6/10 Curbs-esque players such as Stephen Carr and Gary O Neill? It's pathetic. I mean they fit the bill as classic Curbishley signings in the mould of the previous slightly aging, injury prone, haven't played well for the 18 months but have Premiership experience lot. What is even more frustrating is that the likes of Deano, Green, and Anton are being linked away from the club effectively the backbone of what we should be building on, they have recognised that Curbs' knowledge of world football is not strong enough by bringing in Nani and therefore how are still linked to tripe like Carr!? Finally Curbs has said 'nobody tells them to go out there and not pass the ball' but in the same breath it seems nobody is telling them to out and actually pass the ball. If a team has no guidance and you have two big target men up front the full backs will naturally ‘hit ‘ the target men IF they are not told otherwise. ''

by Josh Butterworth on May 07, 2008

ots time curbs went he is not a prem manager not now not ever

Then explain how he's never been relegated from it? Curbs may not be the man that will push us up the table, but I cant see any team he manages struggling to get 40 points, he just knows how to pick up points where it really matters. We will give the flops of this year another go next season, but if we aren't at least playing with the desired commitment come this time next year then there will be wholesale changes in 09.

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