In the third and final part of our special end of season
feature, former Upton Park favourite and regular whufc.com
columnist Tony Gale provides his own personal look back at the
unforgettable finish to the 2006-07 campaign…
For the last third of the season Alan Curbishley delved into the transfer market and bought Luis Boa Morte, Matty Upson, Lucas Neill, Nigel Quashie and Calum Davenport. Fate was to conspire against him as every one of those players suffered with injuries throughout the vital run-in.
The worst miss of all for me was Lucas Neill, who was not only a good player, but also a good leader of men, which I think is vitally important, especially when things are going against you. It was no fluke to me, that when Lucas was fit, the Hammers strung together their best run of results.
Luis struggled to regain his full fitness after his injury. Matty was so unlucky it was untrue. I think he is a victim of his own honesty as he tried to come back too early from long term injury. Next season I feel he will be a key player.
Nigel Quashie started off well and seemed to give the team a real competitive edge in the middle of the park, but again an unlucky injury curtailed his season. Calum Davenport also seemed to be getting on well until he got his injury.
Although West Ham didn't get as many games as they wanted out of those five players, it seemed to give the rest of the squad the kick up the backside they needed. As with all new signings, it takes time to settle, not only on the playing side, but also getting used to the new environment of the Club. When it came to the crucial run-in, when we won seven of the last nine games, it was clearly apparent that all the new boys had integrated and there seemed a much better spirit around the Club.
The words spirit and confidence are commonly used in football and both can only be achieved by initially being on the receiving end of a few lucky breaks. Who can deny that we weren't the recipient of those, particularly in the games against Blackburn away and Arsenal away - where Rob Green had an absolute blinder.
Still, they say you make your own luck and my belief is that we had enough bad luck last season to last us 10 years. Because the Tevez and Mascherano situation resurfaced, Curbs, his staff and the boys never got the full credit they deserved for an outstanding achievement in winning seven of the last nine Premiership games to keep us in the top flight.
A big well done from me to everyone - and for anyone who's trying to put a spanner in the works of our Premiership status…unlucky!
For the last third of the season Alan Curbishley delved into the transfer market and bought Luis Boa Morte, Matty Upson, Lucas Neill, Nigel Quashie and Calum Davenport. Fate was to conspire against him as every one of those players suffered with injuries throughout the vital run-in.
The worst miss of all for me was Lucas Neill, who was not only a good player, but also a good leader of men, which I think is vitally important, especially when things are going against you. It was no fluke to me, that when Lucas was fit, the Hammers strung together their best run of results.
Luis struggled to regain his full fitness after his injury. Matty was so unlucky it was untrue. I think he is a victim of his own honesty as he tried to come back too early from long term injury. Next season I feel he will be a key player.
Nigel Quashie started off well and seemed to give the team a real competitive edge in the middle of the park, but again an unlucky injury curtailed his season. Calum Davenport also seemed to be getting on well until he got his injury.
Although West Ham didn't get as many games as they wanted out of those five players, it seemed to give the rest of the squad the kick up the backside they needed. As with all new signings, it takes time to settle, not only on the playing side, but also getting used to the new environment of the Club. When it came to the crucial run-in, when we won seven of the last nine games, it was clearly apparent that all the new boys had integrated and there seemed a much better spirit around the Club.
The words spirit and confidence are commonly used in football and both can only be achieved by initially being on the receiving end of a few lucky breaks. Who can deny that we weren't the recipient of those, particularly in the games against Blackburn away and Arsenal away - where Rob Green had an absolute blinder.
Still, they say you make your own luck and my belief is that we had enough bad luck last season to last us 10 years. Because the Tevez and Mascherano situation resurfaced, Curbs, his staff and the boys never got the full credit they deserved for an outstanding achievement in winning seven of the last nine Premiership games to keep us in the top flight.
A big well done from me to everyone - and for anyone who's trying to put a spanner in the works of our Premiership status…unlucky!