“I think we can say the dressing room is not lost”
Scott got his first season ticket for the 2000-2001 season in the Bobby Moore Lower, moving to the West Lower as soon as it was completed.
He has been writing about the Hammers for two years and believes he has a fairly balanced view of the game. We agree and are very pleased to welcome him as a Claretandhugh blogger.
Scott will be featured here when he has something burning away that you need to hear. We extend a big welcome from all the CandH staff to you mate!
Oh and Scott’s favourite Hammer of all time is a fellow CandH columnist Tony Cottee.
In his first blog Scott gives his own special taste of one of the most agonising and ecstatic weeks in recent Upton Park history and how he was moved to tell David Sullivan how he felt about it all…before telling you. ENJOY!
By Scott Fautley
Frustrating, embarrassing and very expensive for the hardest of diehard Hammers – suddenly turning to elation and relief: one thing with supporting West Ham – it’s never dull is it?
Thursday morning I was absolutely furious.
I wouldn’t say I was quite at the level of “Angry Terry” – but then I’m not sure I could rival that man’s pure passion.
The team should be played the recordings of this passionate cabbie – it would hit home what it means to be associated with West Ham.
Such were my emotions: I sent an email to David Sullivan!
I suggested that we might tolerate a lack of quality with such injuries – but not a lack of fight and something absolutely had to change, that the wrong manager was in charge in my view and current performances were justifying that.
To his credit, Mr Sullivan replied – he felt we were better off strengthening the squad with the quoted £4m to sack Allardyce.
He also said on one of the mooted names, that Slaven Bilić was offered the job before Avram Grant was appointed but that after a hugely impressive interview, he wanted an extortionate amount of money to invest in the squad which we simply didn’t have.
But back to now- Surely backing a man who’s lost the dressing room is mental isn’t it?
In hindsight – I firmly believe the Carling Cup was simply dismissed by the manager and as such, he had the players concentrating on the Cardiff game all week.
Having watched yesterday’s performance, I think we can safely say the dressing room isn’t lost. The team spirit is there – see this video which says everything you need http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-BSAtvoDdWs.
Saturday was a performance full of grit, fight and backs to the wall defending. What’s more, we took our chances. Vital if we are to get out of the rut we’ve been in.
Match of the Day were keen to point out Mark Noble’s skipper’s performance. The man was absolutely everywhere and I firmly believe Mark is one of the last few footballers playing for the shirt in the modern game.
We’ve heard it many times, but still – Canning Town boy, West Ham through and through, one of the last “One Club” players. He capped his performance with a goal – his first in open play at this level for four years and you couldn’t escape his joy.
Matt Taylor put in one of the best performances I’ve seen from him and Adrian justified his selection – despite having had to play behind two makeshift defences in four days.
The news broke last night on Claret and Hugh that Guy Demel has suffered only concussion. This will come as a relief as it looked as if it could have been very serious. Also always remember he is an excellent full back and we can do without another defensive absence with Tomkins now being suspended next week.
Further relief and celebration broke out with the return of Andy Carroll.
What a huge risk putting a man in that hasn’t played for 8 months, with a week’s full training and giving him 20 minutes at the end.
I don’t think you can underestimate what having Andy Carroll back in the squad does for a team and whether it was desperation, or a lot of balls from Allardyce, it paid off.
After the week we’ve had, shipping 11 goals in two games and the club appearing to be in absolute turmoil – it was so typical West Ham to go away and win.
To do it with 10 men for 25 odd minutes, showed that despite not having the backing of many of the fans – the players still back this manager.
With possible high profile signings on the horizon this week and players returning from Injury – perhaps things aren’t as bleak as they seemed earlier.
Come on You Irons.
Follow on Twitter @ScottFauts