West Ham are sleepwalking to relegation - and fans know exactly who is to blame

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The most damning thing of all is that it has almost gone under the radar. Unless, of course, if you are a West Ham fan. West Ham are sleepwalking towards relegation and, quite frankly, it’s been coming.

It’s another West Ham crisis story. But because it seems to happen most years it’s almost gone beyond being newsworthy. That is a very sad reflection on the current state of affairs - and may be the reason why this time it may be irretrievable.

That is why the wider football fan base is not overly surprised to see West Ham five points adrift from safety in the Premier League table.

They are a club gripped by crisis on and off the pitch. Something has gone seriously wrong because the club has spent big money on signings, has an incredible and supportive fan base and yet has completely lost its way.

Perhaps the only surprise is that Nuno Espirito Santo has not made more of an impact since taking charge because he is a manager brought in with a reputation for fighting fires, tightening defences and making them harder to beat. But even he can only do so much.

West Ham’s latest defeat, a 1-0 reverse to Fulham on Saturday, means they are without a win in seven and they have got Brighton , Wolves and Nottingham Forest up next.

No game is easy when you are struggling but they look particularly difficult - and Wolves has got disaster written all over it. Last week, the West Ham Fan Advisory Board issued a brilliant and passionate statement as they point the finger of blame firmly at the club’s hierarchy.

The statement said: “We have written directly to Baroness Karren Brady strongly expressing our concerns and frustration, and very much hope the Club will answer questions, take positive actions, and most importantly recruit a new leadership team capable of propelling our Club towards that realistic ‘best of the rest’ status more in tune with the Club’s revenue, and huge loyal fan base.

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“To be overtaken by two newly promoted Clubs, plus a number of other organically far smaller outfits is a direct reflection of the leadership.

“Replacing a visit from Manchester United with their namesakes from Oxford is not the vision we were sold, it’s not good enough, not acceptable and we request immediate positive answers and actions, placating words are long past their sell by date.”

It is obvious but West Ham - as the statement alludes to - have blindly drifted along thinking there will be three worse teams than them. At the moment, judging by the table, there are only two. West Ham have been overtaken by Leeds and, even more pertinently, Sunderland .

Sunderland are teaching a few clubs a lesson on good management, recruitment and ambition.

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West Ham have failed miserably on all three counts. When we talk about management, it is not just the manager. The management of the club is leadership and that comes down to Brady and David Sullivan.

The first team manager can only work with the tools he is given. And the recruitment has been truly shocking. When it comes to ambition, it feels like it was lost a long time ago.

West Ham are truly one of English football’s great clubs. They have some of the best fans I have ever come across. And they deserve better than this.

It is truly embarrassing for a club steeped in tradition, history and glory. The fans have made up their minds who is to blame - and it is impossible to argue against them.