The Christmas/New Year period saw a few ripples appearing on the surface of what has become a tranquil scene at West Ham United over the past 12 months.

The club certainly seems to have come a long way, taking 56 points over the past year. A period, let’s not forget, that began this time last year with the club staring relegation in the face.

Manager Sam Allardyce was under pressure from fans and media alike. The pressure reached a high point in January when the team were thrashed 6-0 at Upton Park by a rampant Manchester City in the semi-final of the League Cup. 

This followed a 5-0 reversal in the FA Cup third round at Championship side Nottingham Forest, when Allardyce had put out a virtual reserve team for the game.

Things turned round in February with the club securing four wins on the trot and pulling clear of the relegation zone. Results though continued to fluctuate right to the end of the season.

Fans were calling for the manager’s head and it seemed that there were those in the boardroom who didn’t disagree. Allardyce was told to change his footballing style and play more the “West Ham way” — code for less direct aerial bombardment.

There was a period of a couple of weeks in the summer, where it seemed Allardyce’s fate was in the balance, as the board failed to give him the vote of confidence needed. Cynics suggested West Ham were scouring around for who else was available. In the end though, the manager remained. It should be noted that his biggest backer was chief executive Karren Brady, who has since been totally vindicated in her judgement.

Since that time, the currency of the manager has been in the ascendant. The club made some outstanding signings in the summer, bringing in Diafra Sakho, Enner Valencia, Cheikou Kouyate, Aaron Cresswell, Diego Poyet and Mauro Zarate. Carl Jenkinson, Morgan Amalfitiano and perhaps most crucially Alex Song came in on loans for the season.

The season began with Andy Carroll on the sidelines, so Sakho and Valencia formed a new, more mobile, pacey attack. The team played a different style of football, less route one football and more short passing and through balls for the two front men. 

Stewart Downing was given a free role at the head of a triangle formation anchored by Song. The goals came, with Sakho going on a seven goal scoring run. Valencia announced his arrival with a stunning 25-yard screamer at Hull.

The full backs were also a revelation, breaking down the wings at every opportunity and providing quality crosses. The results came and West Ham had broken into the top four, a position they held up until Christmas. Carroll returned, seemingly fitting into the new way of doing things.

All good so far, with happy Hammers fans everywhere. But the Christmas period has provided something of a blip, causing a few of the critics to starting asking questions again.