West Ham fans, even at the end of this dreadfully depressing season, will be hoping for a morale-lifting boost of a victory against the north London foe. Traditionally a fierce rivalry exists between the two sets of fans even if not so much amongst the international ranks of players these days. Slow ticket sales are a barometer of West Ham’s season – the very fact that tickets remained on sale last week is testimony to the apathy that has befallen swathes of supporters after so many dreary Potter-inspired performances.
However, one look at the Premier League shows the importance of this fixture, I’d suggest more so for the Hammers than for the Spuds. Tottenham are in the midst of their Europa League semi -final, carrying a three-one lead from the first leg into their away fixture next week: They are more than likely to rest important players including Maddison and Solanke, both of whom left the pitch” in some discomfort” last Thursday. For under-fire Spurs boss Ange Postecoglou the semi final takes precedence, of course.
West Ham however should be desperate for the points: Seventeenth looks dreadful and apart from the reported £3 million per league place, a chance to move three places up the table by the end of the season would make their recruitment process easier in the summer. Players are reportedly snubbing the club who currently sit just above the relegation zone – and who can blame them.
It would certainly make the recruitment department’s job easier if West Ham could hobble up to fourteenth or fifteenth by the end of the season. With two of the three sides above them still involved in European competition, there is no reason why Potter should not aspire to an improvement on seventeenth: Indeed his boss – and we as fans- should be demanding it to finish a terrible season on a more upbeat note. So, make no mistake, this game tomorrow matters.
It’s been well published we are being ostracized by players due to bad performances, league position etc.
Don’t follow Spurs or Man Utd who are almost just as bad.
Nearly every day in Football Gossip on TV news Man Utd are associated with numerous players.
Radcliffe making many staff redundant and other cut backs is hardly a good outlook.
Is this just media talk or do they have some hidden attraction?
Man Utd appears to be just as unstable, if not more, than whu.
This is just on appearances not necessarily financially.
It’s being called El Crapico says it all….
Trouble is both our clubs have been woeful in PL . As an oldie of 65 years of age hard to remember since 1976/7 such a weak showing . Ange proved poor in PL . Perhaps EL will help but we always look poor defensively . I am resigned to finishing 4th from bottom . Think the bragging rights will be yours . Who can recover and put on a better showing next season .