David Sullivan sets up West Ham fans to finally like him after daunting new paperwork
David Sullivan may be conjuring up a plan to get West Ham United fans back on side.
The majority of the Hammers fanbase is firmly against Sullivan, and there have been consistent protests throughout the season.
West Ham’s struggles on the pitch haven’t helped the situation, with Nuno Espirito Santo’s side in a Premier League relegation battle.
However, the East London outfit boosted their survival hopes on Wednesday evening, as Crysencio Summerville’s goal gave them a 1-0 win over Fulham at Craven Cottage.
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Kieran Maguire reveals potential West Ham strategy
Last week, West Ham released their accounts for the 2024-25 campaign, with paperwork showing that they had made a pre-tax loss of £104million.
The East London side’s revenue dropped 16 per cent from the previous year, and the overall report makes for grim reading for Hammers fans.
Sullivan and Co. have already confirmed that West Ham will probably need to sell in the summer transfer window in order to balance the books, with internal investment likely also needed.
As many as six high-profile players could be on their way out the door, but football finance expert Kieran Maguire has an alternate theory.
Speaking on the Price of Football podcast, Maguire questioned whether there could be extra investment into the club, which would reduce the number of sales needed.
He said: “If they do put in a bit of money, and they only sell two players, the West Ham fans may go, ‘actually, David Sullivan has chipped in this time’.
“So is it a case of setting people up to believe there is some form of Armageddon going to take place and then it’s not quite as bad as that, and therefore the reaction from the fanbase is better?”
West Ham set for summer of change
Much of West Ham’s summer transfer business will depend on whether or not they are in the Premier League next season.
A drop down to the Championship would mean they are unable to attract the same calibre of player, and would have to rethink their recruitment strategy.
However, whatever division the Hammers find themselves in, it is almost certain to be a summer of change.
Even if they retain their Premier League status and avoid the full-blown clear-out that would come with relegation, some key players will likely be leaving the London Stadium.
Either way, Sullivan will need a miracle to get fans fully back on side now.
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