West Ham's season - a case of one step forward, two steps back

One step forward, two steps back is the best summary of the past season for West Ham United. The ownership of the club decided in it's wisdom to part company with manager David Moyes at the end of last season. This was a manager that saved the club twice from relegation, then qualified three seasons running for European football, winning the Europa Conference League in 2023. In his final season, the club finished ninth in the Premier League and got to the quarter finals of the Europa League. A period of unprecedented success. A campaign to get rid of Moyes began on social media, then took hold. Supporters didn't like the style of play, it wasn't the West Ham way etc. Some of us warned at the time, be careful what you wish for and that has very much proved to be the case. Since Moyes left, first Julian Lopetegu and then Graham Potter have struggled to manage the club. This season it finished 14th, got knocked out of both the FA cup and Carabao cup at the early stages. European football is now a distant memory. The owners of West Ham spent £130 million in buying nine players for Lopetegu. The signings came late, so the manager still didn't' seem to know his best formation, even by October. There were some good signings, like Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Crysencio Summerville and Niclas Fullkrug. But Lopetegu struggled, both on the field and publicly with the media. After a poor run of results, Lopetegu was replaced in January by Potter. Things,though, did not really improve. In fact for most of his time in charge Potter's record has been worse than Lopetegu. Lopetegu secured 23 points from 18 games, Potter 20 points from the same number of games. The difference has been that the former Brighton and Chelsea manager gives the impression that he knows what he's doing. He has a clear narrative and deals well with the media. There have been some encouraging signs, not least Potter's willingness to give young players, like Ollie Scarles and Lewis Orford, a chance. Hopefully some of those, loaned out this season, like George Earthy and Freddie Potts, will be given their opportunity next season. The belief amongst fans is that Potter must be allowed to shape the team he wants. This will mean a major shifting of players in and out in the summer. The owners though must be wondering about the future. Will things come good under Potter? Are they prepared to put up more money on the basis of the poor returns seen since Potter took over in January? An interesting what if arises, given that at the time of his appointment it was rumoured West Ham wanted to offer an initial contract to the end of the season. Sensibly, Potter insisted on a longer deal - had he accepted the shorter one, would the owners now be offering him a new contract? The style of play has certainly not got better, in fact from an entertainment angle it is far worse. Potter's defensive formations with three at the back and five across the middle, playing the ball square, instead of forward, hardly excites. The West Ham way it aint! So not a very good season for West Ham. Potter should turn things around, given the time and money to do so - these, though, are commodities, in increasingly short supply in football. But will the club finish above Everton next season? Everton have been flying, ever since Moyes re-took charge, earlier in the season. Only time will tell.

Welfare cuts have hint of eugenics

There has been much alarm aroused by government proposals to cut welfare benefits for some of the poorest and most vulnerable in society. The numbers of people claiming these benefits have risen substantially over recent years, in no small part due to the COVID pandemic. The mishandling of so much of the pandemic by government has helped create a huge number of people, who are unable to work. The harm done to mental health over this period and subsequently has been huge. It is estimated that two million people (3% of the population) are still suffering from long COVID. The government has targeted welfare on the basis of saving money. Again, as with the attack on winter fuel payments, the amount being saved is relatively small. Why not tax those with the most, many millionaires and billionaires have asked to pay more? There is a rather worrying eugenic theme running through these policies. The government bang on about delivering for working people, whilst seemingly ignoring, or attacking, other groups such as the elderly, disabled and poor. In the case of the elderly, who proportionately vote more than any other demographic, it seems a strange electoral strategy, let alone the moral dimension. A number of commentators have also made the link between the moves to legalise assisted dying and these other policies attacking the poorest and most vulnerable in society The narrative seems to be if you are not tied to the economic wheel of employment you have no worth. Never mind the billions of pounds of free care provided by elderly people for their children and grand children. Or the voluntary work done by so many. Or the service and taxes contributed over the years. None of this counts, only work, right now, on the wheel of capitalism by 'ordinary working people.' It is all rather confusing if not a little sinister. The mindset needs to change. Everyone has worth, all lives are sacred, it is high time government recognised this reality and acted accordingly for the common good of all.

West Ham suffer ninth home defeat, as Nottingham Forest close in on Champions League place

West Ham 1-2 Nottingham Forest Nottingham Forest ran out narrow winners of this hotly contested game against West Ham at the London Stadium. The game marked West Ham's ninth home defeat, whilst the victory saw Nottingham Forest strengthen their bid for Champions League football next season. The home side should have been a goal up, after a couple of minutes, Tomas Soucek seeing his header, from Vladimir Coufal's cross, pushed over by Matz Sels. Morgan Gibbs-White then found himself free on the edge of the six yard box but Alphonse Areola pulled off a great save at point blank range. A matter of minutes later Areola inexplicably, under no pressure passed the ball straight out to Gibbs-White who wasn't going to waste a second chance. He blasted home. This passage of play in many ways typified West Ham's season. Chris Wood could then have doubled the lead but saw his header hit the post. Mohammed Kudus then headed over, receiving a cross from the left. After the break, Coufal, keen to score in his final game for the club, gathered a cross from Kudus, but his volley went narrowly over. West Ham then gifted another soft goal. Jean-Clair Todibo committed a needless foul down on the right. The resulting free kick from Anthony Elanga saw Nikola Milenkovic glance home a header . The goal was confirmed, after a six minute VAR deliberation. West Ham pulled back a late goal, when Jarrod Bowen controlled a nod out from defender Morato and fired home on the volley. Niclas Fullkrug then saw his last gasp header pushed out by Sels. Referee Sam Barrett added 11 minutes injury time during which the game threatened to boil over. At times Barrett seemed to have totally lost control. But Forest held on for the points. West Ham head coach, Graham Potter admitted his players tried but fell short. "There are some big decisions in the summer to take the club forward. Time to adjust the squad and time with the players," said Potter, who paid tribute to the four players - Coufal, Aaron Cresswell, Lukasz Fabianski and Danny Ings - who are set to leave the club. Nottingham Forest head coach, Nuno Espirito Santo, was pleased with the result that was dedicated to, Taiwo Awiniyi, who was seriously injured last week. The manager now hopes to " conjure something magical" for the final game of the season against Chelsea, that could secure Champions League football at the City Ground next season. West Ham hope to emulate Forest's recent progression in the Premier League next season.

Need to speed up, not slow down the transition to net zero

There has been much talk about net zero emission targets over recent weeks. It has been a accepted that net zero has to be achieved in order to combat climate change. The question is how quickly the country can attain this target. Some aim for 2030, others push back to 2050. The reality is that net zero has to be achieved as quickly as possible, the world is in a climate and biodiversity crisis. It is not some sort of lifestyle choice that can be put off until it can be afforded. It is unfortunate that a number of politicians have been elected around the world to positions of power who are in total denial on climate. Not least among these is US President Donald Trump. At home, his British equivalents are Reform UK. They also campaign against net zero. This despite the scientific data that says otherwise and the very real changing world around us. The extreme weather conditions bringing floods and droughts plus the dramatic impact on food production. Unfortunately, there seems to be a growing campaign against net zero, led by Reform and much of the Tory Party. Former Labour Prime Minister Tony Blair seems a recent convert. The campaign resembles much of the nonsense we were sold about Brexit. There needs to be a push back against this onslaught. The Labour government has done some excellent things to advance the efforts to attain net zero. The expansion of the renewable energy sector, encouraging different forms of energy generation. The government seems to see the potential in the lucrative green economy. A way to get sustainable growth, as well as save the planet Environment Secretary, Steve Reed, has pointed out the expansion of these sustainable forms of energy makes the country less dependent on outside sources.The impact of the war in Ukraine on energy and food prices shows how important this can be. So, the challenge moving forward is how much quicker net zero can be attained. That is a challenge locally as well. Things need to move more quickly. Now is not the time to advance more quickly over the cliff edge of environmental destruction. Why is so much time being wasted even discussing something that is vital to human survival? So much time was previously wasted discussing whether climate and biodiversity destruction were happening. This cannot happen again, we must accelerate the transformation to net zero, not hide in denial.

Gang of Three

Kings Head Theatre, Islington This excellent play examines the conflictual relationship between three of the Labour Party leading right wingers of the 1970s and 80s. The three hander moves to and from between Roy Jenkins ((Hywel Morgan), Denis Healey (Colin Tierney) and Tony Crosland (Alan Cox). The plot shifting between various leadership and deputy leadership elections between 1976 and 1980. All three contest the 1976 leadership election, won by Jim Callaghan. Crosland contested an earlier deputy leadership contest, bringing forth a quip from Healey about coming seventh in a field of five. By the time the 1980 leadership contest arrives, Jenkins has left British politics for the European Commission and Crosland is dead (of a brain haemorrhage in 1977). Healey loses to Michael Foot by 10 votes. Whilst Jenkins seeks to woo Healey to join his SDP venture, the two are left regretting their failure to act together. The slick interchanges and nice pace of the play keep the momentum up throughout the whole 90 minutes. The set remains the same room, with a bit of furniture moving for different scenes. But the three actors do a fine job in really building the characters presence. The script from Robert Khan and Tom Salinsky is witty, whilst bringing some good political insight. The now acknowledged view that Britain didn't need to go cap in hand to the IMF for a bail out in 1976 is laid squarely at Healey's door. And Healey is happy to be seen as an early prophet of austerity. Meanwhile, Jenkins disillusionment with the party is revealed when he suggests they deserved to lose - also betraying how the right always prefer to see the Tories in government rather than a left wing Labour administration. Crosland is viewed as gifted but never really a bet for leader, until after his death, when the remaining two suggest he may have been the best of them. A fascinating play, with plenty of laughs, laced with serious political discourse. This snapshot also shows a Labour Party with people, though of the right, still of substance, able to debate the major issues with confidence in public. A marked contrast to the authoritarian insecure operation now presided over by Keir Starmer. Well worth seeing for those who lived through those years and others who appreciate a well told Labour history lesson. Runs till 1 June

Celebrate 80 years of peace but learn the lessons of the past

There has been much celebration over the past week to mark the eightieth anniversary of the end of the Second World War in Europe. Among local events were a remembrance celebration, a fascinating talk about Wanstead during the war, a tea dance and play. The annual remembrance events provide an important reminder of the waste of war - the terrible sacrifice. Sometimes these events tread a fine line between remembering the sacrifice of millions and celebrating war. War is nothing to celebrate, it marks a total breakdown in human relations - a failure to resolve problems without resort to violence. Sometimes remembrance events can seem like recruiting exercises for the armed forces. What remembrance should be about is marking the sacrifice of so many. But also in remembering, the resolution must be strengthened to stop anything as horrific happening again. Since the end of the Second World War, there have been many regional wars across the world, often conducted by smaller countries as proxies for the superpowers. In 1962, the world was brought to the brink of destruction with the Cuban missile crisis - a face off between the US and Russia, over the latters placement of missiles in Cuba. The matter was resolved and the world reflected on how close it had come to destruction. The main reason we haven't had another world war for 80 years is that the weaponry (particularly nuclear) is so destructive that all of humanity would be annihilated if any country tried to use these weapons. There have been some close calls. And with the volatility of world leaders at present, these are dangerous times. There also seems to be a worrying normalisation of war going on. So, the conflicts going on in Gaza and Ukraine have featured heavily on news coverage. But people now too easily accept the daily atrocities going on. International law seems put aside, the arms companies profit and on goes the business of war. There needs to be an end to these wars and a calling to account of those responsible at the International Court of Justice. Part of the reconciliation process after the Second World War saw some of those responsible brought to trial. There always has to be an accounting. So, marking 80 years since the end of the last world war and eight decades of peace is important. A time to take stock but also to realise war is ongoing. Peacemaking has to be a similar ongoing process. So a great way to mark the 80th anniversary would be to push for peace in all centres of conflict today. And pledge not to repeat the mistakes of the past.

Four weigh ins and a funeral - at the Lion & Unicorn theatre, Kentish Town

Four weigh-ins and a funeral is an intriguing play from writer and director Emma Burnell. Don't let the quirky title put you off. The weight watchers setting provides the plot line for a play that touches a number of emotions and themes. The desire to lose weight, brings the five characters: Faiza (Berny Bareto), Jenny (Claire Fairman), May (Lou Mellanie Hutchings), Marcia (Maurtrice Wagner) and Kelly (Nance Turner) together. They all have different reasons to lose weight. Jenny for her wedding, Marcia for her funeral. The women come together to support each other in the goal of losing weight but also in life. They all celebrate the wedding. But the focus then turns to Marcia, who is diagnosed with cancer and has six months to live. There are some poignant moments, such as when Kelly suggests to Marcia that she forgets her diet and eat what she likes. But Marcia has her pride and dignity. She wants to be able to wear a dress, she used to go dancing in, when younger, for her funeral. The women support her. This 55 minute play touches a lot of emotions but perhaps most prominent is the sense of community and solitary across a number of diverse characters. The play was commissioned by The Play's the Thing for the Taking the Stage Festival. It marks another excellent effort from Burnell, following on her Triggered about the machinations of the Labour Party selection process. Four weigh-ins and a funeral deserves a further run when it finishes at the Lion & Unicorn theatre on Saturday. Runs till 10 May