By Hugh Southon
When positions become as polarised as they are inside the West Ham fan base right now it’s impossible to say anything without accusations of being a lover or hater.
It’s almost like politics and Brexit revisited in real terms – there’s no reason, no logic, just left, right, Brexiteer or Remainer followed by an outpouring of hatred, malice and a debate as far from logic as one can get.
However hard anyone tries to put their view they can expect the worst one way or another but as we reach the end of a week as bad as any I can remember in Hammers history there’s a bit to get off the chest.
It’s no big surprise really because football is all about tribalism anyway be it on or off the pitch and as a result reasoned debate is not exactly on the agenda.
The week started badly with the Hammers board deciding to send legal letters to Sky and various journalists which anybody involved in the media knew would be a very bad move. The winners as always were the lawyers!
The response was for Sky to give a 90 second near apology despite there being little to apologise for other than an alleged slanderous comment about hands being in the till.
My understanding of that, however was not that the owners were being accused of such activity and even if they were, isn’t it their till anyway ?
The Daily Mail hit back with a piece on their Birmingham City financial activities pointing out that there may have been justification in the claim on Sunday Supplement that they spent nothing like the cash they claimed while in charge.
Meanwhile, the club’s media department, in yet another wrong move, trumpeted the Sky apology all over the official website and to a background noise of protest, invited more ridicule from the fans across social media.
Makes you wonder who is running that department – although I think most of us could hazard a pretty accurate guess – and that individual should learn about news cycles. One day it’s news, next day it’s not – ride with it!!!!!
People in the media department being paid to do a particular job should be allowed to do it – that may or may not necessarily be the case at West Ham.
The Sunday Supplement issue would have been a 24 hours – 48 at worst – talking point but by reacting so conspicuously it has become a soap opera.
More is on the way this weekend which I know will not be complimentary.
Next we had the ridiculous banning of a fan who bizarrely carried a Hammers flag around the stadium whilst wearing a “board out” tee shirt. Since when has such behaviour been comparable to racist or homophobic chanting.
That he turned out to be the same bloke who staged a protest outside David Sullivan’s mansion in 2017 and this wasn’t picked up until afterwards seems incredible.
Whilst all of this has been going on the players – two new arrivals among them – are supposed to be adjusting to life under their new manager ahead of a very difficult game at a shocking time of our season.
To describe West Ham as a mess right now is unfair to the word mess.
The board has undoubtedly made mistakes and has shown a lack of vision via very odd managerial changes but to blame them for Pellegrini’s mismanagement and terrible signings, smacks of double standards when a large majority, including me, asked David Sullivan to step back from transfer dealings.
It was always apparent he and Gold would take the crap when and if it went wrong and if that’s where people are then okay that’s their business.
So what next?
First the club should ignore all the negative publicity and get on with life whilst us fans – with critically important games facing the lads – should get on with what we are supposed to be doing – supporting our club and being the 12th man on match days.
That’s our job and if we decide to protest as our players are trying to get us out of the s..t then we are as guilty of not doing our job as some claim the board are in not doing theirs.
Like all of you I LOVE football but the over reaction and hysteria surrounding it at times leaves me cold because it’s a total distraction.
This weekend is about beating Manchester City, mad as that may sound, and it’s where all our attention should surely be.
COYI
In an attempt to show we haven’t all picked the hater or lover status, and bearing in mind our insignificant spat previously, great article.
Lets get behind the team and forlornly hope for at least one point this weekend ! Personally I will be at the protest but with the same attitude as Brexit. I have my opinion and its mine alone. If someone else has a different one good luck to them. We live in a democracy, something that means we don’t need to flip out every time someone says something we don’t like. Healthy debate is exactly that, healthy.
Fully agree Hugh, our role as supporters is to do just that. SUPPORT THE TEAM and hopefully we get the results that maintains our status in the premier league, all other debate is for end of season.
Personally Iwould not trust a word from the Daily Mail!
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Well said
COYI
I have been to almost all of the home games over the last four years. That equates to 60 plus games – and at the risk of sounding like a broken record there has been far more mind numbingly shocking performances than good ones.
In that time I have not been aware of the fans getting on the players back to any great degree – it is difficult to “sing yer herts ought fer the ladzz” when you go 2/3/4/5 behind again, its more likely you get early leavers from this.
As Ian Wright has said/written “give the West Ham fans something” and you will get them behind you.
How anyone can lay any blame on the fans is beyond me – Can you see the Spuds, Gooners, Mancs U, or Scousers poking up with footballing fests we have been treated to ???
not sure I did but my suggestion of extremes seems to have been borne out in your reply as a result
Good article Hugh and you have my sympathy. I am no fan of the board – but also realise that new owners might be even worse. Tony Fernandes might have succeeded in buying the club and we could be where QPR are now
It would be nice for a week (or 15 days in our case) to only read stories of Bowen’s debut and the heroic performance that got us a result at the Etihad and not the petty stuff like someone being banned for wearing a T-shirt saying “board out”
Well the team could help by getting us that result (I’d take a draw) and then the board could help by keeping under the radar
COYI
Sympathy Zahama – for what mate …genuine ?
Sympathy for the grief that you get from keyboard warriors while running a website that is now my go to place for news and comments on West Ham
Thanks Zahama. I don’t feel grief anymore just sympathy for some of the over and over and over and over again comments which take the discussion nowhere.Moaning without a solution is called whining in my world 🙂
Insisting on responding to criticism seems to be de rigueur at the moment. Agree that it is usually better to turn the other cheek.
I believe most Hammer fans want players to demonstrate effort and pride in playing. I will continue to watch and support WHU even if relegated. I will continue to be irritated by half-hearted tackles, missed passes and neglect of defensive responsibilities.
Offence sells tickets, defence wins championships.