West Ham manager Alan Pardew will be forced to compound the disappointment of play-off defeat by releasing several players before the squad can be rebuilt for next season.
The 1-0 loss to Crystal Palace at the Millennium Stadium means another year of division one football for the Hammers, and that means the chance to earn roughly £22million is gone for another 12 months.
The £7million from the Jermain Defoe transfer - which was to be made available for squad strengthening if promotion had been secured - is now likely to be used to service the club's debts, and costs will have to be cut throughout the club.
"We have to look now at players who are still on what we call Premiership wages and perhaps have to make some tough decisions," confirmed Pardew.
More on West Ham United atthe official site
Published Monday May 31, 2004
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article