West Ham’s official web site has released the club’s [‘message to supporters](https://www.claretandhugh.info/potential-managerial-vacancy-at-west-ham-united-list-of-candidates-grows/)‘. It only just had space to contain the full 1382 word statement: Thanks to the _express.co.uk,_ who labelled it ‘extraordinary’, I didn’t have to count every word. In a wide ranging statement the club attempt to calm the increasing anger amongst supporters with a string of claims.
Tens of million invested in training facilities, 450 million pounds in the playing squad, the statement claims _“Steps have already been taken to implement a new strategy and approach – particularly in the area of player recruitment. We have appointed Graham Potter as our new Head Coach. His role is to build and develop a first-team squad in line with the Club’s identity and objectives, with a continued focus on integrating young players from our Academy.”_
_“New strategy and approach” –_ what is that, exactly? David Sullivan doing the deals, same as usual. And _‘a continued focus on integrating young players from our academy_” – nonsense. Those very academy players have been pushed back into playing for the under 21’s instead of having a sniff of an opportunity with the senior squad.
This statement was an opportunity to reach out to supporters but instead it just sounds like lots of self justification. There’s seemingly no humility or acceptance that there are genuine grievances. The club trumpets that “_We are proud to have the second-highest average attendance in the Premier League and 50,000 loyal Season Ticket Holders – also the second-highest number in the Premier League”_ as if that alone is enough to prove that everything is hunky-dory at Stratford.
Far more involved characters than I will pick over the content of the whole club statement but there seemed to be a hollowness, a lack of empathy and no understanding of the real issues which fans have been complaining about. I’m sure there’ll be more reaction shortly.