Putting The West Ham Anfield Loss Into Perspective

Thinking up excuses to explain West Ham's performances this season has become tiring and plainly annoying. Every time there were signs of a positive turnaround, West Ham's "resurgence" come crashing down again. This Anfield loss was again one of many examples throughout the season that just when there were some belief (among fans) in the players, the confidence come crashing down. Worse yet, the performance of the whole team did not look at all like a team fighting for survival.

There is no longer any doubt in my mind that Zola and Clarke will walk at the end of this season regardless of the outcome of this season. If West Ham were relegated, the owners will want a swift return to the Premiership and Zola-Clarke does not instill confidence at all. Should West Ham stay up, the feeling is that this horrible season should be banished into distant memory, hence Zola-Clarke must be replaced.

Liverpool totally thumped West Ham last night.

There was no question who was the better team on the night. All through the team, the desire and motivation to survive seemed lacking. Admittedly, the current West Ham team clearly lack creativity and defensive solidity but these could be glossed over if there is sufficient fight and character. With all that missing, West Ham have a "Dead Man Walking" look right now.

In fact, the stats on the night tell the whole story.

Two totally avoidable set piece goals. David Ngog managed to lose his marker for his goal. Schoolboys' errors have resulted in a relegation struggle. Defensively, we are terrible and Upson's defensive struggles must be a concern for Capello.

Makes me wonder, is Matthew Upson saving himself for this summer's World Cup? On the same vein of thought, is Carlton Cole holding back in order to keep himself injury-free for the World Cup? And these are the same players who are supposedly the "spine" of the West Ham team? What good is a confidence-shaken Rob Green to England's World Cup aspirations?

Elsewhere, results have gone our way over the season. Another Hull loss on Wednesday to Villa is what West Ham fans will anxiously hope for. Both Burnley and Hull are fighting to preserve their Premiership status and it's evident in their performances. West Ham players still think that they are too good to go down.

Three more games to decide the Hammers' future, three nailbiting games if the players understood what scrapping for relegation really meant.