I turned up yesterday in hope of three points and in expectation of some pretty dire football. In that regard the Irons did not disappoint.
I wasn’t expecting to walk away having felt the emergence of a good old-fashioned West Ham atmosphere in the brand spanking new London Stadium!
There was loads of singing throughout, and none of it aimed at the board, the stewards or standing up.
Maybe it was helped along by some festive bonhomie. Perhaps some of the newbies were Xmas shopping. Or it might be we’re just starting to forget the surroundings and get behind the team.
This can only help the players.
One of the things I’ve missed most is the sardonic wit of the Upton Park crowd and even that made an appearance when the stadium announcer interviewed Clyde Best at half time.
Clyde was given a real hospital pass and asked which players impressed him in the current squad – cue a rumble of ironic laughter from all parts of the ground and many cries of “nobody” from the faithful.
After the interview we were encouraged to watch the big screens for the first-half highlights!!! Cue more laughter and “that won’t take long”s…
Thanks to Mark Noble there was at least one highlight to show at the final whistle and the goal was celebrated with relief and passion.
Still much to do on and off the pitch but for me the last home match of 2016 was the first when the new stadium really started to feel like one.
Is that post for real !
Its a soulless fish bowl.
In the upper teir its like watching football over a motorway.
Good job they have 50,000 on the waiting list , they’ll need every one of them.
I haven’t spoken to one person who is going to renew.
My friend purchased 3 year ticket in a lounge, said its the worst view and wish he hadn’t done it.
Talking to a Hull fan after, he said you’ve lost your identity. Spot on.
Place is like watching football in a graveyard.
I’ve had a season ticket since 82, this is my last.
Good. We can do without your negativity. This is our stadium now and for the foreseeable future.
Dave happy to put you out of your misery and take that ticket now €€€€’s waiting
I’m a West Ham fan and I’ll watch them anywhere because they represent the area when I was born. They are part of me (unfortunately at times). I’ll renew. I love the new stadium. There is nothing wrong with the atmosphere that winning will not fix. The Chelsea game proved that.
I agree with what you put Dave. The post by dear Niall must be for a different game to the one I attended yesterday. There is a resigned feel to gradually losing the clubs identity. I’ll have to do a lot of searching between now and next May to decide whether to keep going after hardly missing a home game for 45 years.
There was more singing yesterday I am genuinely happy you are starting to feel at home Niall I was a little lower than the other day in row 62 this time and met some very nice peeps we were all despondent about the form and numerous lucky escapes but had a good laugh none the less. If and when I do get a season ticket, if what Dave says is true will likely be next season, despite the abject performances I like the stadium and if they sort the seating and hopefully safe standing out as we start to play better I am sure the experience will improve for many. I am not sure about your love in for Noble according to the stats he had a 90% pass completion rate and most of them forward, I guess I was too far away because all I saw were sideways at best passes and no througg balls etc, well I suppose you need men breaking for that and our strikers and midfield would struggle to keep up with a milk float with a flattish battery. Noble also made the grand total of 1 tackle woohoo !!! For the place to rock regularly like it did in the Chelsea game the players need to show some fight and desire, as fans we are doing our best for them without being given much in return anyway onwards and upwards COYI !!!
Yes, this post does seem a bit unrealistic – my continued opinion of the Stadium is that it’s a ‘lash-up’ – it’s not home and never will be.
Sadly, this is going to be my last Season, I just can’t stand the place ,I don’t like the way in which the Club has changed – it’s not the same club I’ve supported since the sixties – a great shame!
Once all the people like you have gone, it’ll be a much better place. ‘the way the club has changed’ – what a load of absolute garbage. You say you’ve been watching since the 60’s? Then you will have seen a he’ll of a lot worse than this.
Well said
Michael I’ll put my money where your mouth is and happily have your ticket…
Yes truth is the new stadium is fantastic. The more of the old whingers and whiners that stop coming the more the atmosphere will improve.
Couldn’t agree more slaven.
Well in my humble opinion it is what each individual wants to make it.I still have a right good crack each matchday with my mates.There again i set out to have an enjoyable day & dont go there with the view of being a miserable old fart finding fault with everything.
Happy Christmas lads 😁😁
Could not agree more Radie,
West Ham United is what we make it.
You will always have some people looking for an excuse to give up. I remember, as a kid, when we sold Martin Peters that was the cue for the moaners to fold up. Football clubs forever evolve.
Most fans remain loyal. I will continue to go and like Niall I am getting more and more comfortable with the new set up. Most of us enjoy our season tickets, even in a season like this. It is what we are… fans of West Ham United.
See miracles do happen at Xmas! First The China doll plays 2 games without falling apart like a bunch of twigs and then Rads returns and says it as it is! 🙂
Happy Christmas Rads 😀