BUBBLES BURST

Hammers' crisis has been on the cards for a while

- JOHN CROSS

THE most damning thing of all is that it has almost gone under the radar.

Unless, of course, you are a West Ham fan.

The Hammers are sleepwalking towards relegation and, quite frankly, it's been coming.

It's another crisis story. But because it seems to happen most years, it's almost gone beyond being newsworthy.

That is a very sad reflection on the current state of affairs - and may be the reason why this time it may be irretrievable.

That is why the wider football fan base is not overly surprised to see West Ham five points adrift from safety in the Premier League table.

They are a club gripped by crisis on and off the pitch. Something has gone seriously wrong because the club has spent big money on signings, has an incredible fan base and yet has completely lost its way.