Tony Gale knows all about playing in a poisonous atmosphere as he demonstrated during the demonstrations against the Bond Scheme in the 90s.
And he has told the Hammers squad have to be men about things at the London Stadium today and play with their heads not their hearts.
And he has no doubt the fans will react the right way this afternoon declaring: “The fans will surprise everyone and get right behind the team, turning a poisonous atmosphere to their own advantage and unsing it against Southampton who will turn up hoping to exploit the divides
Speaking to the Sun he said: “There is more than enough individual talent in the squad to keep them up, but there will be extreme pressure on them.
If they get sucked into the wider issues in the stands and at the club as whole, it might make them think twice before making a split-second decision.”
He added: “And if they do that, it might lead to drastic consequences in terms of the result. They have to hit the ground running. Nothing less than 100 per cent right from the start but with energy channelled in the right direction.
I experienced this kind of thing back at Upton Park in 1992 with the hated Bond Scheme. The players have to be men about it and play with their heads and not their hearts.
West Ham have had three weeks to prepare for this game tactically, so what they need is a cool team-talk from the manager before kick-off and Noble to lead them in the same manner during the game.”
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Lets hope they do because if we don’t win today we are down …come on boys .
If Moyes pulls another clanger and selects Hart again we are down before the game starts. I have to say I have lost all respect for him even if we manage to stay up. I believe the owners have made a horrendous decision in appointing him and are fully accountable for whatever will happen now. For me he has to select Adrian today and he has to play two up top, Antonio and Arnie for me with Lanzini in behind them. I worry about Noble now but I just cant see anyone making a big claim for his position. How we did not sign a midfielder in the window is beyond me. He has to drop Evra too. I would bring Rice in at the back. Fingers crossed Moyes picks the right team i.e. Adrian, Rice, Makasake and two up top (and he does not listen to Pearce in relation to Joe Hart).
Spot on johnham word for word on those selections. Can you really see the two goals Hart was responsible for and moyes giving him another chance to play in a six pointer game. Pep was spot on and realised how poor Hart is and got in another bad keeper but realised quickly and replaced him too. It’s called being the best coach in the world bar none. As for evra what a joke player now! Maybe you should be an advisor on common sense for the fans view to moyes if he is stupid enough to not see the reality.