West Ham United: It's Time to Step Up to the Mark and be Counted

Three seasons ago, West Ham found themselves in relegation-threatening discomfort, something similar to what they're facing them this season —only in those days, all odds were stacked against them and they needed someone to emerge from the demoralised pack and take charge.

That man was Carlos Tevez, and after scoring the winner in a 1-0 win against champions-elect Manchester United, which secured West Ham's top-flight status for another season, Tevez was voted "Hammer of the Season."

In those days, there was a certain doom and gloom atmosphere around the club not very far from the depressing mood that surrounds Upton Park today.

The tide, however, turned when against Blackburn at Ewood Park, with odds heavily stacked against them and the majority of West Ham fans resigned to defeat, they showed immense mental strength to come away with the all-important three points.

The victory proved to be the turning point. It brought hope, confidence, and belief back to the players and supporters.

Things that previously had been severely lacking.

It proved to be the start of a truly remarkable run of games which ended in beautiful fairy tale fashion, with West Ham surviving on the last day.

This season, despite having players with enough quality to finish mid-table, they find themselves sitting outside the relegation zone, but only on goal-difference.

They are badly under performing, and key players are either injured or not delivering and the team is completely lacking confidence and cohesion.

They need a similar turning point this season and, yes, a big player to emerge and make a difference.

There aren't many on West Ham's current roster that are of Tevez's quality, but in the likes of Diamanti, Cole, Parker, and McCarthy they have enough spark, skill, and goal-scoring ability to string a few morale-boosting wins together.

They have a "team" of very good players as opposed to having an average team with one top class player—a la the Great Escape in 2007.

West Ham have accumulated a measly 27 points out of a possible 96 so far. They've suffered an unprecedented six defeats on the trot, which puts them firmly at the root of the form table.

What is Coach Zola's answer? 

Send the players on a three day holiday!

Are you kidding me? At a time when the squad needs to buckle down and do some serious training, he gives them three days off?

It is time to pull together as a squad, believe in each other, and work hard for each other. It is time for the leaders within the squad, e.g., Parker and Upson, to stand up and do some actual leading. It is time for the manager to start earning his money.

It would have been understandable if the squad traveled together and stayed together, but to up and leave to Italy while his players are left to do whatever they like is odd to say the least.

That is Zola's inexperience as a manager speaking.

He released this statement after the Stoke defeat:

"It has been a tough week but the owners have backed me and I am very grateful for that. With the backing of the joint-chairmen both myself and the squad are determined to fight for every point possible. My only thought for now is to keep this club in the Premier League and I will give everything I can to make this happen between now and the end of the season."

West Ham's fate is still in their own hands.

Portsmouth are a foregone conclusion, and Burnley are as good as down, while Dowie’s Hull City is just as likely to collapse as pull clear of danger.

In another season, with their results, they may well have been dead and buried by now, but the reality is that there is still all to play for.

Remaining fixtures:

Everton vs West Ham
West Ham vs Sunderland
Liverpool vs West Ham
West Ham vs Wigan
Fulham vs West Ham
West Ham vs Manchester City