Everton result and performance could have been better

Four points from two games over the festive period and things should really have been looking up at Upton Park, yet the prevailing mood as the home support trudged off into the night was one of disappointment.

Given Everton’s recent performance against Manchester City, and given Hammers own wretched record against the blue half of Merseyside it may come to pass that a point here was a point gained rather than two points dropped; but with earlier results having gone against West Ham, the lack of ambition shown in the second half against David Moyes’ side was a little perplexing.

With Wolves to follow at the Boleyn on New Year’s Day, many have rightly opined that seven points from three games over Christmas and New Year would be an excellent return for a depleted side, but the fixture against Wolves was already set to take on huge significance. And the apparent decision to settle for a point last night has simply served to crank up the pressure on that contest by another couple of notches.

Hammers fans can be forgiven for not approaching high-pressure games with the greatest of confidence; indeed it was this very fixture last season, Wolverhampton Wanderers at home, that saw Gianfranco Zola’s team turn in the worst display under his guidance in a 3-0 reverse that brought fury from the terraces directed at players, management, and the board - whose decision to place ‘happy-clappers’ under home supporters’ seats looked gimmicky in the first instance, and downright embarrassing by the end.

It was the sort of night that lives long in the memory of everyone that was there for all the wrong reasons, and there will be a good deal of trepidation from fans in the run up to the game whereas Wolves will remember it fondly and will genuinely believe that they can inflict more misery on West Ham’s support.

New Year’s Day also sees the opening of the transfer window, and the inevitable rumour mill that comes with it, particularly for a club in such a perilous position as West Ham.

Avram Grant and the owners have seemingly got to work early and identified Steve Sidwell as a player they want to bring in to bolster the Hammers midfield, whilst a left back and some firepower must surely be high on the agenda.

Harry Redknapp recently distanced himself from a move for Scott Parker, so everyone at the club will be bracing themselves for the Spurs boss to make a move for the midfielder in the not too distant future, if he hasn’t already.

The January window is notoriously difficult to predict and most of what is printed and rumoured is best ignored, but Redknapp and his club at least provide some consistency, you can’t trust ANYTHING that comes out of his mouth and he will invariably do the opposite of what he promises publically in a duplicitous and under-handed fashion.

Support for the Gold and Sullivan regime has been on the wane of late, so January is also a critical time for them, and their activity in the transfer market will be closely scrutinised.

Stamping out Redknapp’s repeated overtures and strengthening the squad in the appropriate areas will not only go a long way to helping the club’s bid for survival, but may finally begin to earn the pair a place in supporters’ hearts with whom they have not yet managed to connect.