I must admit that I was something of a footballing Eurosceptic before West Ham began their marauding travels on the continent over the past three seasons.
In many respects, I had little time for the lesser European competitions and always viewed participation in them as something that would put a club at risk of relegation. Granted, my opinions were based on an Ipswich team which qualified for the UEFA Cup and subsequently got relegated, and more recently, Burnley’s European flirtation, which almost ended in the same result.
However, at some point during that first Europa League campaign, which was thwarted with a semi-final defeat against Frankfurt, I found myself appreciating European competition. West Ham’s triumph in Prague certainly improved my opinion of continental battle, and last season I found myself criticising the club for not strengthening during the January transfer window to ensure a fourth consecutive season.
Ings looks happy as West Ham win the Conference League
A Euro sobering up
Last night was something of a reality check, and as I perused the TV scheduling, I found myself feeling rather sorry for myself. It had become the norm for me to watch the Champions League clubs go at it on a Tuesday and Wednesday, safe in the knowledge that West Ham would be taking on the dregs of European football on a Thursday.
The Europa League and indeed the Conference League may not be the pinnacle of the world game, but I’d certainly grown to appreciate them, perhaps even taking them for granted. As a result, the Hammers’ football calendar now seems boring and empty by comparison. Under normal circumstances, I would be penning a preview for West Ham’s upcoming game against Timbuktu Kiev and wondering whether David Moyes would play a clearly knackered Michail Antonio from the start or gamble with Danny Ings up front on his own.
Unfortunately, instead, I’ll probably have to watch “Sherwood” on iPlayer or yet another crime documentary on Netflix. So sort it out, Mr. Lopetegui, because if we’re not playing Tipperary Rovers away next season, I may have no option but to start watching “Silent Witness” Season 23… and that’s a fate nobody deserves.
Gonzo’s Headmaster have you never heard of paragraphs, trying to read that gave me an ‘eadache
I too am in agreement with missing a European adventure this year however, I’m sure that my liver and wallet are appreciative of this seasons break. The pair of them have both been obliterated the past 3 years… I’ll take this time to try and repair my marriage this season! 😂