The last two seasons have been a pretty dismal affair for West Ham United’s fans – the low after the Conference League high has been a painful episode.
On the pitch, an ageing squad has creaked and groaned its way towards the foot of the table with four managers in that two year spell failing to halt the slide, whilst the fans’ dispute with ownership and hatred of their soulless bowl home has made for grim headlines and football to match.
Indeed, owning a season ticket has been too much for many fans who, anecdotally, have given up the ritual fortnightly self-inflicted torture of getting to, and witnessing, some of the poorest entertainment in living memory at the highest cost.
Which does not appear to have gone wholly unnoticed by those on the pitch. With surprising insight, the Hammers’ reborn first choice shot stopper ‘Fonz Areola has agreed ( on whufc.com,) it is time for a reset between players and fans:
“The main thing as well is the connection with the fans, because we know that they will be really important until the end of the season. And it’s what we tried to do, to reconnect with them and to give them hope and to make them happy.”
Coming ahead of one of the toughest fixtures of the season at home to the Premier League’s form side, Areola’s hope of making fans go away happy is indeed a tough ask. Clean sheets – the gold standard by which a defence and ‘keeper are judged – have been in short supply this season: Just once, back in August, against Nuno’s own Nottingham Forest, did the Irons last achieve a shutout.
Areola is convinced that maximum effort has gone into retaining the Hammers top flight status:
“We’ve improved a lot, and we are really fighting for our spot in the league, and we’re trying to give our best every time we’re on the pitch to keep that Club up here,” said Areola.
“I think we’ve shown that we’re trying our best and trying to make everyone happy as well, watching us and to recognise themselves as well in their team.”
Modest ambitions remain for this afternoon: Even a solitary point against Aston Villa would be seen as a good result but words alone won’t win over a West Ham fan base desperate for wins. Three points could see the Hammers climb to sixteenth depending upon other results. Now that would be my kind of ‘reconnect’.
cant help saying the difference in the games from away to home games from the supporters and how it is affecting the team
They might be right in what they want BUT not if it affects the way our boys play surely that cant be right or helping in the position we are in at present
To be honest in a couple of posts I have said how I feel I can get behind this team because of the way they play for each other, celebrate a block in the penalty area, Todibo storming up to the halfway line, an Areola reflex save, AWB, Bowen, Summerville bringing endeavour, excitement. So I’m already there😊 – must be a soft touch.
A big part for me are the academy players and their talents and cheering them on. Want to see Marshall, Scarles and Guilherme make it for example. Reading about Fullkrug is another reason I want the academy in the team, because refusing to move if your exorbitant wages are not met, I only feel a wee bit disgusted.
I’m only talking of the players on the pitch and the team, not the club, although I admire their charity work immensely, but otherwise it is a big wheel, money-spinner with fans seen as inconsequential collateral damage time and again.
NES? He deserves support for how he has made this team care about their performances on the pitch, their growing, battling spirit. Style of play is another matter, but I hope influenced by the technical ability and spirit of players and academy, he’ll perhaps go at teams more willingly – especially as in the PL teams are going for 3 points and not playing safe.
NES? I like his manner of going about things and hope he’ll evolve his playing style, influenced by the ability in the team, which needs little more. to be a dangerous attacking team. I want WHU to get at teams and put them on the back foot, sooner in a match – I think we have a team that could do this with just a few choice additions. Just my opinion of course. Either way he goes, he deserves support for how he has made a team out of of players who have been through the wringer a couple of times with worthless people in charge.
good points well made (in version 2) Peter. Just need to add ‘earthy’ to your (ex) academy wish list…Home win today…
definitely – Potts and Earthy are a touch of class when they play.👍
COYI