Magical Irons grab huge bonus beyond PL safety

By Hughie Southon

Well, what a night that was!

And on top of a brilliant result and Premier League safety there were other hugely important issues settled over the best 90 minutes of a horrible season.

First though a huge vote of congratulations to Nobes on reading an amazing 500 games and apologies for ever doubting Moysie who has now saved us twice from relegations with other managers teams.

Johnson may get his chance

That may be one for the Guinness Book of Records!

However, the major issue for me on a night when for 45 minutes we were at our best offensively and close to it defensively was the certainty that both Jarrod Bowen and Tomas Soucek will be with us next season.

The situation surrounding the loanee Soucek was that he remained at the club permanently if we achieved safety – that’s done, he stays and we will help make West Ham into a  very different team next season.

Bowen meanwhile has been brilliant but there has been a nagging worry that should we be relegated there is some clause in his deal which would allow him to leave…that’s never been confirmed but it no longer matters. He stays too.

They were the big ones for me and in reality they were huge because those two have been key to everything that has happened as we battled for survival.

Soucek is nothing less than world class.

On top of that came another massive boost for the club – Ben Johnson – playing because of yet another injury to Ryan Feredericks.

As those in the know have said for months he’s a top top prospect and has to be in the team to gain more valuable experience. He was absolutely outstanding on a night of ecstasy and of huge relief.

COME ON YOU IRONS