The prospect of a return to European football is one that few West Ham fans genuinely believe can happen this season, yet Clive Allen is one of them.
The former Irons striker, who spent two seasons in east London, believes that with how the Premier League is going this season, there is a genuine chance that West Ham could finish in a European spot.
Speaking to KUMB.com, Allen said: “You’ve got a very experienced man at the helm there and you’ve got a lot of talented players. There’s a lot of very talented individuals and it’s all about how he’s going to harness them. You can see collectively, this season, in particular, they look to have a positive team spirit, and that’s very important. The fine lines and margins are very small but with what he (Pellegrini) has got, I think he’s got a very good chance.”
The now 58-year-old former attacker added with: “It’s a great opportunity this season (to finish in a European spot). When you look at Liverpool and Manchester City they are ahead of the rest. I don’t think anyone will argue against that. But after that, from third place down, there are opportunities, and West Ham can be amongst that at the end of the season. They’re not going to win the Premier League this year, but they can finish third.”
Indeed, the prospect of West Ham finishing third seems almost ludicrous to think about, but Allen might be onto something about the Hammers, who currently sit above the likes of Tottenham and Manchester United in the Premier League table, finishing in a European spot come May.
This season has been a weird one in the Premier League, with Liverpool being by far and away the best side in the division and the other members of the top-six seemingly dropping point more frequently than usual, and this is where West Ham could sneak their way into a continental spot.
The Hammers have the talent to realistically finish in a European spot as well as a manager who is keen on taking the club there, with Manuel Pellegrini stating multiple times that his goal is to take the east London club to continental football, and although a Champions League finish might be too difficult given the marathon ahead, Europa League must be seen as a realistic goal for West Ham.
The Irons have already proven this season of being capable of taking on top-six sides, with West Ham easily breezing past United in a 2-0 win, and if Pellegrini can keep his side playing the beautiful style of football they have shown at times this campaign, a place in the top-seven is theirs for the taking.
