Nice Work If You Can Get It

It may be none of my business but I'm surprised that West Ham have given Alan Pardew a five-year contract. Pardew has been less than popular at Upton Park, on the whole, and they might consider themselves fortunate to have been promoted after finishing 6th in the Championship. Of course, they are currently 9th in the Premiership, but here's the kicker ... after 10 games. Basically by way of beating Blackburn, Aston Villa, Middlesboro (thanks to a very controversial goal) and Fulham. And they drew at home to Arsenal. Who haven't won away from home yet.

Now, this is all fine, maybe they haven't had the toughest start to a season but you can only beat what's put in front of you. But a five year contract ! Which you will have to, presumably, pay out in full if you want to sack him ? How sure can you be that Pardew will strengthen West Ham to the point where they will stay in the Premiership for five years ? People underestimate the "swings" in football I reckon. Over the season it usually evens itself out but, as well as they've done, who expects Wigan to finish second ? Are you sure they're not just "running good" ? Or look at Everton compared to last season.

Well, I would at least have waited until the end of the season. The way some clubs are run (and QPR have been very badly run over the last 10 years or so I freely admit) it's no wonder some of them are in such a state. Half of them will go tits up soon enough, mark my words.