The key to survival

Last updated : 19 February 2006 By Richard Turrell

I was handed an article from the independent discussing the benchmark £7m that now has to be spent to stay in the premier league. Always a sucker to ‘experts’ coining their own phrases to explain possibly the most irrational sport to an audience who will read it over their cornflakes and Moet breakfast entertains me.

In a bizarre twist of journalism the article pivoted around the words of Alan Pardew who “has naturally taken a particular interest in the attempts by his former club Reading to follow in West Ham's footsteps”.

So when we go up, always the optimist, the one thing to bear in mind is that there is no formula to success. We have a very good base for not just a starting XI but a squad and inevitably we have to build on what we’ve already got. But to say that a club has to spend a set amount like £7m confuses me, coincidentally the same amount the Hammers paid for Ashton. I’m sure we’ll invest but not just for the short term but the long term as well. The major bonus is that we have a front three that are all very capable goal scorers. Whatever amount Madejski lets out of his wallet you can’t compare us to any other team, as we are not the same as any other team.

The only thing that makes real sense in the article is leaving “the lovable but tatty, Elm Park” for the delights of the Madejski. I’m sure I’m not the only one that still has an undeniable love for the old ground but at least now everything’s in place.

So the next time you pick up an article explaining the key to Premiership survival, ignore it. As long as we keep Coppell, no-one leaves in the summer and we sign a few experienced players, we’ll give it a go. £7m of £70m, as long as we have success who cares how much you spend?