Soccer World: West Ham were blowing leads, not bubbles

West Ham United's relegation from the Premier League has been on the cards for some time. This in itself prevents the Hammers' demotion from being a surprise, but a look at the club's squad suggests a bottom placed finished was unexpected and something few predicted at the start of the season.

When Avram Grant replaced Gianfranco Zola as manager in June 2010, optimism at Upton Park was genuine.