by Pete Ellis
Where is the fear?
As Hammers, we have all known that sickening feeling of travelling to a “big club” and hoping that we put on a show so we don’t get embarrassed.
Usually it results in a loss, but so long as it’s not a thumping, we begrudgingly live with it for a week until the next game.
Then there’s the games where we expect to get something, against an out of form team, when wouldn’t you know it, they decide to play like Barcelona for their game against us.
We cope with this better than any other fans, quite simply because we have a gallows humour that should really get us our own stand up show on Comedy Central!
That fear, those butterflies in the stomach that have accompanied us through the last 30 years (in my case anyway) has been as much a part of the match day experience as a trip to the Boleyn or to Ken’s Cafe.
That fear has been a life long companion for any of us 30 something Hammers (and older and younger ones too no doubt).
So how odd that I approach every game with excitement, optimism, and anticipation, but without my good old pal “the fear”.
It’s not arrogance, as I don’t not expect wins or draws as a given, it’s just that I equally don’t expect us to get turned over, certainly not with ease has been the case too many times in the past.
If you beat West Ham nowadays, you’ve probably deserved it, which is why so few have this season.
Whether we are up against City away, or home to Chelsea, I don’t have the gut-wrenching worry that I’m in for a week of banter from some no mark glory hunter.
Far from it. The days of fearing teams could finally be coming to an end for us Hammers.
Now, under this amazing squad, manager, and board, could it soon be West Ham who are the ones to be feared…….
COYI !!!!
I don’t go to games fearing the other teams anymore,it’s a strange feeling but I still always think we are going to find a way to balls up matches we are favourites to win.I have had this feeling too long,it won’t leave my system very quickly after all the years of expecting the worse 🙂
The deafening silence from the Hippoettes and Be careful what you wish for posse shows how far we’ve come… No need to fear anyone now we’ve got a manager with a brain and who understands out club something most of us were crying out for the last 2 years and it’s ****ing fantastic…
That horrible dread of playing “up north” on a cold winters night in midweek has seemed to evaporate since super slav has been in charge.
If we can carry our form into the new ground and our away form in the first 6 games of next season we will be the one the others worry about and that’s worth 12 points a season to any team,
It’s not only the positive feeling it the feeling you are going to see a great game of football because regardless of the other teams tactics we now can change our game and do not rely on one player to change games,
If we can add 3 more class players in the summer and keep our best players we will be a regular top 4 team,and you great fans are worth another 12 points,
Certainly makes a very welcome change from saying ” oh no , not again ” for the last 50 years . Now I’m shouting ” Yeeeees ” and singing bubbles with gusto .
Hopefully the days of ” ballsing it up ” , as RtL says , is becoming a thing of the past .
Three games left until we cross the finish line ; be it Europa League or Champions League it would be a fantastic achievement in Slaven’s first Season . The difference between Slaven & Alladyce is like chalk & cheese ., Day & Night ….. Or , Vadar & Skywalker .
It’s not over till the Fat Lady sing’s , but maybe , just maybe , we will be celebrating come game 38 .
Come on you Hammers .
It has been great that pretty much for the whole season we go into every game believing we have a good chance of winning it whether home or away, I can say in my 40+ years of supporting us this is the only season I have ever felt that way, COYI !!!!
Pete has nailed it…….after 40 years for me, this is the first time since 85/86 that felt that way.
Well said Pete, I also agree with 580, the only other time for me was 85/86. It’s been a long time coming but we’ll worth the wait! COYI!
I wish I was as relaxed as you boys,I’m still a nervous wreck before most matches.Maybe I need more beer before kick off 🙂
Cracked it Billy,
Just enough to feel happy and content but not enough to mess up your vision,
Then afterwards last year drown your sorrows and wonder how many black cats you crossed
This year drink in the happyness and feel sorrow for the black cats,
Never Never drink that alcohol free crap,
That will leave you a nervous wreck and should end up in room 101 with Keys and Hippo
OK bubs I will take your advice on board. I’m sure after all these years you are a real professional at the match day drinking limits for before,during & after.I’m not a big drinker though,maybe it’s time I upped my game lol
Would love to stick Hippo & Keys in Room 101.Two tossers together.You know what my mate told me if a black cat sneezes in Italy it is ment to bring them good luck.I think he was on the wind up though.He is an Italian but I think he was trying to get me going.Wheres Mr.Matte,he will tell me the truth lol