Darren Bent has shared an honest verdict on West Ham United’s fortunes in the Premier League, and while some Irons supporters agreed with the former Sunderland and Aston Villa striker, others suggested the same could be said for many of the clubs competing in the top-flight.
Speaking with Football Insider, Bent has suggested he does not feel he can trust West Ham to put together a consistent run of promising results, as for while they can beat a big side one week, they could easily be beaten the next.
“I do feel for West Ham a little bit but again, that is where I don’t particularly trust West Ham,” he said.
“Because, as well as they’ve been doing, like beating Manchester United, I still always feel they’ve still got that in them – a team that, realistically, they should beat they’ll go and lose to.”
Manchester United were the second Premier League side from last season’s top-six the Hammers have faced so far this term, in a game which saw Manuel Pellegrini’s East London outfit record a 2-0 win over Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s ailing Red Devils.
Pellegrini could not build on that result, however, as the Irons were forced to settle for a point against AFC Bournemouth the next time they took to the field, when goals by Josh King and Callum Wilson overturned Andriy Yarmolenko’s opener, before Aaron Cresswell ensured the honours were shared.
West Ham have also been mauled by Manchester City at the London Stadium this season when the reigning title-holders recorded a 5-0 win on the opening day, while the Irons have since gone on to smash three past Watford and lose 2-1 at home to Crystal Palace.
The Hammers’ topsy-turvy form was matched last season, too, when they managed a 3-1 win at home to Jose Mourinho’s Manchester United and beat Arsenal 1-0, but also fell out of the FA Cup to AFC Wimbledon, who entered the Fourth Round tie bottom of League One (BBC).
But it was not only this and last season that West Ham have fared like such, and many Irons supporters have been fast to raise that point in their reactions to Bent’s verdict.
Here are some of the messages shared:
I mean let’s be honest., Oxford 4-0 lose. He is telling the truth.
— ? Jamie Thomas ? (@jaymeeteewhu98) October 10, 2019
Spot on, no doubt we’ll be the first team to beat Liverpool this season, then get knocked out of the fa cup by Leyton orient, it’s the West Ham way ?
— Declan keane (@Declankeane11) October 10, 2019
It is the West Ham way. Has been this way forever
— Tony Pezzolesi (@TonyHammer61) October 10, 2019
I wonder how much he gets paid to say something that’s been obvious to every West Ham fan for most of their lives ???
— Ledders (@ledders1974) October 10, 2019
Sadly, he’s bang on
— Paul Addison (@Paddison93) October 10, 2019
Thanks for the update. Darren also thinks that either Liverpool or Man City will win the league and Solskjær could be sacked at some stage.
— Daryl Lee Bellamy (@DarylBellamy) October 11, 2019
While many fans have described former Burton Albion forward Bent’s verdict as ‘the West Ham way’, some of the London Stadium faithful have shared hope in this being the season where the tides turn and those at the club change the mindset displayed in previous years.
If Pellegrini and his squad are unable to correct their past tendencies, one supporter has suggested his side will only be on course for a top-ten finish this term, rather than competing with the likes of Leicester City and Wolverhampton Wanderers in trying to break into the established top-six and claim a European berth.
Defeat at home to Palace heading into the international break left West Ham eighth in the Premier League standings on 12 points, while Leicester sit fourth on 14 points with just one more win to their name.
We’ve gotta put it right this season and I still believe we will!
— Michael Deas (@mike_deas) October 10, 2019
History so far doesn’t make him wrong.
It’s up to the boys to change that mindset.— Anglo American Gent (@anglo_gent) October 11, 2019
He’s completely correct that’s why we will@probably only finish in top ten
— Edward Bartlett (@Esledge4) October 10, 2019
Corners of the London Stadium faithful have also pointed out that West Ham’s historic tendencies to challenge one of the established top sides one week, and then struggle against a theoretically easier opponent the next, is not an issue that only the East London outfit must overcome.
One pointed out that Manchester City were beaten 2-0 by Wolves in their most recent top-flight fixture, having hit Watford for eight the last time they played a league game at the Etihad Stadium.
Brighton & Hove Albion also upset the apple cart on matchday eight, when they beat Tottenham Hotspur 3-0 at the Amex Stadium, a side who reached the Champions League Final in June.
It’s called football ? I’m sure on paper Man City thought they would beat wolves.
— Jason (@ShailerJason) October 10, 2019
This happens to basically all clubs though. Just look at Man City losing to Norwich and Wolves. We notice it because it’s us but all clubs do it.
— Chris Burrell (@deanashtonsfoot) October 10, 2019
Can’t you say the same for most teams in the league though?
— ?Duncan-io? (@duncan_io) October 11, 2019
Pretty obvious. Beat United, lose to Palace and Oxford. It’s the West Ham way
— Michael ? Zdenek (@MichaelZdenek) October 10, 2019