Karren Brady's comments calling for the season to be declared null and void as a result of the coronavirus lockdown spoke volumes about how West Ham United's 2019-20 campaign has gone.
The Hammers spent the best part of £80m last summer and took that total to over £100m in January, yet they find themselves only outside the relegation zone on goal difference with nine games of the season remaining.
A bright start to the season soon petered out and, while there was still the odd high point - namely victory over London rivals Chelsea at Stamford Bridge - their form was bad enough to see Manuel Pellegrini sacked shortly after Christmas.
Pellegrini's replacement David Moyes has only tasted victory twice since taking over, though, leaving the capital outfit with plenty of work still to do to preserve their Premier League status for another season.
Here, the Sports Mole team select who they believe has been West Ham's player of the season for 2019-20.
Barney Corkhill, Editor: Declan Rice
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West Ham's struggles this season are perhaps best indicated by their lack of candidates for this award - only three teams have conceded more goals while their hefty summer outlay on attacking talent, namely record signing Sebastien Haller, has not paid dividends.
Perhaps the only player to have enhanced his reputation this season is Declan Rice, who stands out among his teammates as West Ham's stat leader in a number of categories.
The England international has made more passes, tackles and interceptions than anyone else in the West Ham squad, which are all stats integral to a good defensive midfielder expected to break up play and then launch attacks.
Crucially, he also boasts the best pass success percentage of any first-team regular this season, resulting in yet more speculation that he could leave for one of the Premier League's big boys.
Matt Law, Football Editor: Declan Rice
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It has not been a great season for West Ham for a number of reasons, but Rice can certainly be pleased with his contribution to the cause.
The 21-year-old has not missed a single minute of the team's 2019-20 Premier League campaign and even sported the armband against Leicester City back in December.
Rice has not scored this season but has contributed two assists in England's top flight, while he leads the team when it comes to passes (1,305), tackles (87) and interceptions (61).
The England international has shown consistency and desire where many others have not, and for me, it is not too difficult to hand him the club's Player of the Season award.
Darren Plant, Senior Reporter: Robert Snodgrass
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Not one West Ham United player can claim to have performed consistently this season, making this a difficult choice. However, for me, Robert Snodgrass has the edge over the rest.
Despite being regarded as a squad player, the playmaker has provided more goal contributions than anyone else, chipping in with five goals and five assists.
Furthermore, the Scot's set-pieces and ability to inspire his teammates have proven invaluable during the course of the campaign, ensuring that the Hammers still have a chance of retaining their top-flight status.
Dan Lewis, Senior Reporter: Angelo Ogbonna
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It has been a very up-and-down campaign for West Ham to say the least.
Declan Rice has had a pretty decent campaign, with his passing and tackling stats among the best in the Premier League, but Angelo Ogbonna has been the better performer across the whole season.
The Italian has bounced back from a disappointing 2018-19 to become a regular at the back this term, where his strength and intelligence have set him out from the rest.
Ben Knapton, Reporter: Declan Rice
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Some of West Ham's most prized assets have endured underwhelming campaigns at the London Stadium, but Declan Rice has shown exactly why he has been so persistently linked with a move to a top-six side.
The 21-year-old has made the most interceptions, tackles and passes for David Moyes's side this term, and Rice is the only player to have made the starting XI for every one of West Ham's 29 Premier League fixtures.
Only Ricardo Pereira, Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Wilfred Ndidi have made more tackles than Rice this term, while Bournemouth's Diego Rico is the sole player who can boast more interceptions.
