Fortess Boleyn is gone – let’s make it Fortress LS

BY candH’ss top blogger Allen Cummings

The reception Moyes and his players got for that first game back against Leicester City was nothing short of phenomenal. It was the first live action many had seen for over 18 months – and the outpouring of relief that football was back was overwhelming.

The noise and the atmosphere inside the London Stadium was surely the best it’s been since we moved there back in 2016. The accusation that our stadium is a ‘soulless bowl’ was made to look ridiculous that night. Even the second half against Crystal Palace, when the Eagles twice cancelled out our lead, the enthusiasm of the home fans and the general air of positivity around the ground was still there.

There was disappointment two points had been dropped, but whereas in the past frustrations may have surfaced, there was little or no sign of that at the final whistle.

That’s the way we need it to stay. With Manchester United the next visitors to east London, a game that often evokes the same kind of passion normally only reserved for certain London derbies, the noise and the atmosphere will be cranked up high again.

As supporters we need to retain that kind of fervour – we need to make every opponent feel like they’re entering a pressure cooker when they walk out. We were frequently reminded of the special atmosphere at the Boleyn. 60,000 voices should, and can, make the London Stadium every bit as intimidating as Upton Park was. We have to make it a place no opponent will feel comfortable visiting.

There is a school of thought that crowds being excluded from football grounds suited West Ham, because our home supporters were over critical at times – with the players and the board – and that was a negative vibe felt on the field.

There may well have been an element of truth in that with Moyes given breathing space as he first set about staving off relegation, then gradually rebuilding confidence to transform the present side into a genuine force to be reckoned with.

Now the opposite is true. David Moyes has crafted a highly efficient and hugely entertaining outfit that needs the full force of the West Ham support behind it.

After the Leicester game the manager said: “I managed at Upton Park against West Ham, and I though tonight was like Upton Park. The people who have been at Upton Park over the years, the noise and the atmosphere there, this reminded me of Upton Park. It really did.”

Fortress Upton Park is history – the task now for us supporters is to get together as one and make fortress London Stadium a present day reality!