
Relegation form is a term often thrown about when teams are near the bottom of the table. But is relegation a real threat for West Ham United.
One win from their last eleven games, that on paper is relegation form. So what has gone so wrong at the London Stadium that has seen a side that has been dreaming of European football since their move to their new ground.
David Gold and David Sullivan set out a five-year plan when the East London club moved to Stratford after leaving Upton Park.
That five-year plan included competing for a Champions League place, after almost £200m spent on the current squad, improvements have not been seen. Ten years ago the Hammers were sat 13th in the Premier League table, and ten years later after a 3-1 defeat to Arsenal they sit just outside the relegation zone.
Form has been thrown out of the winder, Manuel Pellegrini has his job hanging by a thread. After a positive start to the season that saw the Irons sitting third in the table they have slumped.
One factor that comes into play like most teams is injuries. The likes of Antonio and Fabianski who have both been key players for the clarets have been injured.
The latter won Hammer of the Year last year and at times has kept the Hammers in games, with Antonio he creates an extra attacking option for Pellegrini playing him up front against Chelsea and Arsenal dropping summer signing Sebastian Haller to the bench.
A £40m striker on the bench is not a good look, that much is safe to say.
Haller, who converted 15 times in the Bundesliga last season for Frankfurt has scored just four goals this season often being criticised for not being in the right place at the right time.
However, a key factor that saw him be successful in the Bundesliga was the fact he was surrounded by Jovic and Rebic. Both of these were clinical at what they did and often fed Haller the ball.
This is something that the Irons simply do not have, they need a player who is able to feed the ball through to Haller.
On a different note, relegation is something that West Ham fans have past experience with. The club were last relegated in the 2010/11 season under Avram Grant.
They finished rock bottom of the league that season, and so far this season is looking like a replica no effort no pride for the shirt.
Relegation is certainly on the minds of West Ham fans who are calling for Pellegrini to be shown the door. Despite his experience at Manchester City and Malaga, the Chilean never experienced a run of form as bad as he has at the London Stadium currently.
What should be focused on is the fact that players such as Antonio, Snodgrass and Ogbonna seem to be playing with a sense of pride and respect for the club they are wearing the colours of.
So with the style of play in mind, with the boss often looking at a 4-1-4-1 relegation is a very real threat and something fans should be worried about if not scared of.