What do the fans think?
A WEEK OFF gave West Ham welcome respite but for fans the fretting about Premiership survival continued.
The Wharf canvassed the editors of a couple of fan websites, Gordon from Knees Up Mother Brown and Ged of West Ham Online, for their thoughts on the club's plight.
First and foremost, can the Hammers stay up?
Gordon: "While there's a mathematical chance of staying up, we could do it. Realistically, I think there's too much to do and too little time."
Ged: "It's doubtful. We had a more talented squad in 2003 with players who were willing to fight for the shirt. There's been a distinct absence of any apparent fight from so many players in all but the big games this year."
If the drop comes, which players should be shown the door?
Gordon: "As bad as many of them have been this season most of the squad could do a job in the Championship. I'd say goodbye to old-timers like Dailly and Sheringham and be tempted to cash in on Nigel Reo-Coker while he's still a saleable asset.
"I'd get rid of anyone who's caused problems, like Ferdinand, Etherington and Carroll, while Bowyer and Quashie have failed to impress."
Ged: "I think most fans want a complete clear-out but there's no point throwing the baby out with the bathwater. I'd have shipped Reo-Coker out already - you can count on the fingers of one hand his 'captain's performances' this season.
"A few others aren't good enough at this level, but as I don't expect to be at this level next year we'll have to wait and see."
Both of you want Carlos Tevez to stay but believe it's unrealistic. Who else should the club keep?
Gordon: "Mark Noble should be the one to build the side around. Lucas Neill looks like a proper captain, if he can be persuaded to stay, and Dean Ashton will score for fun at the lower level."
Ged: "I think most fans want Noble to feature more before the end of this season and keeping Robert Green would be a popular choice."
Is Alan Curbishley the right man to revive the Hammers' fortunes?
Gordon: "I'm not sure anyone was really the right man. The mayhem that surrounded - and still surrounds - the club made it a poisoned chalice.
"I think Curbishley has a season to build his own team and get us up before the owner's trigger finger gets itchy again."
Ged: "Personally I think he was a poor appointment. The board thought a West Ham man would appease the fans but he doesn't seem to have ever had the dressing room."
Should season ticket prices be reduced next season?
Gordon: "I'm paying #700 at the moment and, despite the extra games in the Championship, a significant price cut is merited - if only as an apology for this season."
Ged: "When we went down before, the prices went up, the logic being we were getting more games for our money. When we came back up they went up again because we were seeing better quality football.
"The cost of relegation will be higher than ever before. I wouldn't be surprised to see prices rise again next season. Of course, I hope I'm wrong."
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