A question that's done the rounds of late concerns what exactly is going on at West Ham? While they have for the most part played fairly well during their recent run of defeats, they have proved to be consistent in their inconsistency- a baffling turn of events which perhaps shares inconvenient timing with protests against the way Davids Gold & Sullivan are running the club.
As Steven Gerrard continues to pick up plaudits for his work since heading north of the border to have a crack at management, what of one of his former team-mates? Outside the regular readership of his column for the Sunday Mirror it’s doubtful that many would even know that Robbie Fowler has gone even further out & is taking on the challenge of getting Brisbane Roar firing again- one of Australia's A-League's oldest clubs predating even the system they play in!
At a time where it seems television rules football, what of its now oft-neglected cousin, the radio? I myself remain a dedicated listener- this is being written after tuning in to West Ham vs Liverpool, a game which up until a few seasons ago I would have attended alongside a Hammers season ticket holding friend.
While he sat in the London Stadium stands watching the red juggernaut carry on in its path, I could still feel a part of things through the medium of sound- as in retrospect has informed much of my life to date.
Every football season, we know that only so many clubs can achieve the ultimate success in securing silverware, be that major domestic or European honours, or with trophies from further down the footballing pyramid. But what about those teams that have got close to their goals, only to fall at the final hurdle?
It may be an unwanted record to have, but there are clubs that have done this more than once, and perhaps worse still, there are clubs that have been runners-up several times without ever winning a final. So, for those unfortunate special cases, here's the list of the 'most successful' losers in the primary European domestic cups.
After another Premier League defeat for Bournemouth in the latest round of fixtures, by fellow strugglers Norwich, concern grows that their stay in the top flight could rapidly be over. But to have got to that giddy height at all in the first place is quite the achievement in itself to those of us with longer memories...