What have West Ham Done That we havent???

[Royalclapper]

Spent loads of money that they haven't got.

[Ian Royal]

Quite clearly they didn't perform to the level they could and arguably ought to have done. Just as we outperformed our level, a little.

Perhaps they aren't as good as you think. Why do you think Reading outperformed? Based on what?

Based on a stupendous run of form and us not having the best squad in the league yet finishing 1st.

[sandman]

Spent loads of money that they haven't got.

But will get if they remain in the top division!

Not according to their owners they won't. I believe the quote was ''We're 80 million in debt and are unlikely to ever be able to pay it back''.

[Mid Sussex Royal]

I think if we'd had a few easy early games like they've had it would have made it easier for us - first time round in prem we had Middlesboro, City (nothing special then) at home and Villa, Wigan and Sheff U away.

We got 9 points from those - made it so much easier after that - we had points in the bag when the hard games came - like West Ham have now.

[ManchesterRoyals]

I think if we'd had a few easy early games like they've had it would have made it easier for us - first time round in prem we had Middlesboro, City (nothing special then) at home and Villa, Wigan and Sheff U away.

We got 9 points from those - made it so much easier after that - we had points in the bag when the hard games came - like West Ham have now.

Maybe we had a better squad then?

[Ian Royal]

Maybe? MAYBE!?!

[ManchesterRoyals]

Maybe? MAYBE!?!

Ok we did

[JS28ZoD]

They have brought in real quality and prem experience in Carrol, Diame, Jaaskalinen and Jarvis, add to that also a wild card in Maiga with bags of pace. They did also have a squad containing proven prem players like Nolan, Noble, Taylor, O'Neil, Carlton Cole etc so arguably in comparison to us their squad didn't need much of an overhaul, but give big Sam credit he didn't rest on his laurels and added quality to their squad.

The business we did just doesn't get anywhere near to competing with this, as such it is no surprise that the two teams are at opposite ends of the table. We are looking well short of quality to be able to stay in this league.

[leon]

They have brought in real quality and prem experience in Carrol, Diame, Jaaskalinen and Jarvis, add to that also a wild card in Maiga with bags of pace. They did also have a squad containing proven prem players like Nolan, Noble, Taylor, O'Neil, Carlton Cole etc so arguably in comparison to us their squad didn't need much of an overhaul, but give big Sam credit he didn't rest on his laurels and added quality to their squad.

The business we did just doesn't get anywhere near to competing with this, as such it is no surprise that the two teams are at opposite ends of the table. We are looking well short of quality to be able to stay in this league.

This is all right. We have some quality in the squad but they've added a lot more.

[Jackson Corner]

They have a 35 million centre forward. They spent 10 million on Jarvis. Beniyoun is on 92 grand a week. Plus a decent keeper. And they still owe Sheff Utd 5 million............

[Flyingkiwi]

So what have they done that we havent?

Won 4 Premier League matches. Next question, please......

^^^^ This.

[Barry the bird boggler]

Spent loads of money that they haven't got.

Yes, that's about it and let's face it the only way to establish yourself in this league is to spend loads of money you haven't got which is why Reading will never be more that a fleeting visitor to the top flight at best.

[soggy biscuit]

Had the easiest fixture list of any PL team so far

Have a squad with more ability and experience than us. Much of our success last season was built on team spirit, when you lose that what do you have? West Ham could fall back on some pretty good players if things went wrong.

Spent quite a lot of money on good/experienced players.

[melonhead]

At the time of writing this WH are in 8th place and holding City at home

So what have they done that we havent?

Transfers, Management or what?

signed good players for alot of money
got a good manager with alot of premiere league experience
won games

[hammer91]

West Ham fan in relative peace, im not coming here to sling mud at each other.

For those saying we have had an easier start, maybe slightly on paper but we can only beat the teams put in front of us. But surely as a newly promoted team we should have started as under dogs in the majority of those? Allardyce has got us playing football which might not seem easy on the eye, but it is effective despite what the papers may say. For too long we have been a soft touch, especially away from home & i think Allardyce is responsible for finally giving us a bit of back bone.

As for your comments on us spending more than we can afford, still owing Sheff Utd, our owners have a combined worth of over a billion pounds. Being West Ham fans their whole lives, they are funding the transfers out of their own pocket, whilst slowly chipping away at our debt aswell.

[larry1971]

Dodgy question! West Ham should not even be in the Prem. They have'nt paid the price of their cheating yet! However, given that, they ruthlessly upgraded their squad to the requirements of the division. RFC chose not to! Results speak for themselves!

Fact. RFC released 13 players at the end of the last season (not all first-teamers admittedly) and also sold two later and loaned out most of our up-and-coming U21's Between 3 to 6 first team Prem. players needed to be acquired in the Summer window and they were all considered to be too expensive. Had we bought the right players, at most, we would have got rid of 20 and brought in 13. We tried to be a budget club and everyone except the Ownership knew it would not work! It has not!

I know that some people on this site ignore reality and live on hope and trust in the Management but, surely, even they must now realise that you cannot dodge reality!

we were fined £5m and forced to pay a ridiculous fee of £25m, to Sheff United I think that's punishment enough especially when you think it nearly sent us into administration - anyway that's history now..

I will agree that West Ham have had the easiest run of opening games but thatt's just down to luck of the draw and we have been fortunate enough to of taken advantage of it and got enough points on the board going into a very tough run of games in November - true we have spent a lot of money but I dont think that has been the major difference as teams have come up in the past spent little money and done very well, . I think the big difference has been the manergers Allardyce, is far more experienced than Mcdermott and is tacticaly more astute. H e has brought in players where the squad needed strengthening and unlike Mcdermott he has been ruthless and got rid of several of last seasons squad because he felt they were not good enough for the Premiership.

[MrWestHam]

The value of a generous fixture list at the start can’t be understated. It doesn’t just help for those games, it’ll help for the next ten as well. Winning at few at the start breeds confidence and also makes opposition teams turn up with a less hopeful attitude. I can’t believe how many times I’ve heard opposition managers, players or pundits announce that ‘not many will win at Upton Park’ this season on the back of us beating Villa, Soton and Fulham. But after a while it becomes a self fulfilling prophecy.

At this level the small differences are what determine success and having teams turn up to our place and being pleased with a point is a massive result for us.

We’ve had a good start but now I think we’ll capitalise on it and finish about 12/13th which is great for a first season back. Players have got more confidence than they had last season, the crowd is more tolerant and we’ve added to the squad with real quality in Jarvis, Carroll and Benayoun.

The only real dig I’d have at Reading is the manager. His interviews like a lower league manager playing a premier league team in the FA Cup. He doesn’t generate any confidence or give any impression he has faith in his players. I’m sure he has but he’s not the sort of leader you need when you’re battling for your life. You’ve got a good enough squad to stay up but the team and supporters have got to stop feeling hard done by and just get on with it.

That said, WestHam are only two key player injuries away from relegation.

[BraisingsteakRoyal]

Agreed with MrWestHam right up until

You’ve got a good enough squad to stay up

[Still Hate Futcher!]

Spent beyond their means!

Doubt we'd be 3rd bottom if we'd signed Nolan, Jarvis and Carroll in the last 2 seasons. Back in the real world, we don't sign £35 mill England internationals.

[BraisingsteakRoyal]

West Ham didn't sign a

£35 mill England internationals

either - Liverpool did. West Ham have merely benefitted from him falling out of favour with 'ol Big Watch.

Admittedly they probably paid a hefty loan fee and are probably covering 75-100% of his wages (70-100k a week?), but it's a few million well spent if he helps keep them up. If he's not proving value for money then they'll let him go back in January.

We should have taken a couple of hungry Premier League quality players on loan - there were plenty about. Unfortunately it's not the "Reading Way".