West Ham's Premiership XI

Since the Premier League’s inception in 1993, it’s fair to say that West Ham United have had a rather turbulent time; the era has been packed with relegations, promotions and controversies, but also some of the Premiership’s greatest footballers. This is a Hammers dream-team which has been accumulated over the years and would certainly be a force right at the very top of the table.

GK – 17. Shaka Hislop

There’s more competition than you might think for the goalkeeper’s spot, but I’ve gone for Shaka. Ludek Miklosko was coming towards the end of his career when the Premiership was formed so Hislop has been given the nod to take the gloves from here. He played over 100 times in his first spell at Upton Park but will be most remembered for his first season, 1998-99, when he collected the ‘Hammer of the Year’ award. With the club facing a goalkeeping crisis, Hislop was signed and instantly installed as ‘the number one’. He was eventually replaced by another contender, David James, and moved on. However he returned for a short spell in 2006 to play a vital role and protect the goal in the FA Cup Final against Liverpool and this gives him an excellent shout to be involved in this team.

RB – 23. Glen Johnson

We didn’t see him in the claret and blue for long enough but if he had been able to stay I’m sure he would’ve been remembered as one of our greatest right-backs to date. He proved his maturity when he was thrown into the first-team when the side were on the brink of relegation and was invaluable to our admirable attempt at escaping the fall to the second flight. He has since played for Portsmouth, Chelsea and Liverpool and represented England 35 times. He really adds a modern and attacking edge to the right side of defence.

LB – 3. Julian Dicks

It’s always a bonus to have goals coming from random areas of the field and having Julian Dicks at left-back would certainly offer that. Not only was Dicks an unforgiving, tough defender, he also managed to score 50 goals for the Hammers over his two spells there. His formidable reputation as ‘The Terminator’ made him an intimidating player for any right-winger to come up against but also a threatening enemy for opposing right-backs. He’s one of the first names on the team sheet.

CB – 5. Rio Ferdinand

Rio Ferdinand definitely makes the team, and arguably makes the cut for a dream team of the Premier League’s entire history. Ferdinand has absolutely everything you could want in a defender; he’s comfortable on the ball, can be physical when called upon, extremely quick and has footballing intelligence like few others. Ferdinand won ‘Hammer of The Year’ at just 19 years of age and has gone on to win the Premiership five times and the Champions League with Manchester United, who shelled out £30 million for him from Leeds way back in 2002, a price that is still baulked at, considering it is for a defender, till this day. However there is no question he has been worth it and is a definite starter for this team.

CB – 6. Steve Potts

It was a difficult choice as to who Ferdinand should be paired with but in the end, Steve Pott’s hard-work paid off. It would’ve been nice to have Potts on the bench due to his versatility, but his work ethic, loyalty and dedication to the cause meant he was able to sneak into the starting line-up. Not the biggest of defenders, and certainly no goal-scorer, but Potts was notoriously underrated and one of the most loyal players in West Ham’s history. He made 399 appearances for the Hammers and therefore more than deserves his place in this team. Steve Potts is the most trustworthy of the back four.

CM – 21. Michael Carrick

Carrick is another one of Tony Carr’s graduates who gets a place in the first team. He provides great vision and a superb long-ball from midfield as well as being able to do the simple things with excellence whilst not forgetting his defensive duties. Some people may not rate Carrick but Sir Alex Ferguson doesn’t spend £18 million on a man and put him in his team 167 times if he is not good enough for Manchester United. Perhaps surprisingly, Carrick also played for West Ham 137 times. The fact that he won ‘Young Hammer of the Year’ two years in a row in a side dominated by the famous FA Youth Cup Champions such as Ferdinand, Joe Cole and Jermain Defoe is testament to his ability and how well he played for West Ham whilst he was there.

CM – 8. Scott Parker

Parker partners Carrick in a solid centre-midfield which helps to give the more attacking players the freedom to show their flair. Parker is the one of the more recent entries and certainly deserves his place after his phenomenal individual performances have dragged a terrible West Ham side out of so many desperate situations. Parker is incredibly calm on the ball and utilises his famous swivel to great effect in order to control the pace of the game, but his rugged determination and commitment is what really solidifies his place here. If the team needed someone to lift them during periods of difficulty, Parker is the man. He will soak up pressure from deep and bring the ball forward to either lay it off to the more advanced players or take it upon himself to put the ball in the back of the net.

RM – 7. Trevor Sinclair

Tricky Trevor Sinclair has been able to force his way past the competition to take the right hand side of midfield. On his day, Sinclair was one of the best wingers West Ham has had in the last 30 years and this is something we have often missed in recent times. Sinclair was quick and had an outstanding delivery and is also just one of the many in this team who was capable of producing truly magical goals. Paolo Di Canio’s Wimbledon goal will be remembered as the Hammers’ greatest goal in living memory but a few of Sinclair’s are worth a shout, particularly one against Derby County. Sinclair played more games for West Ham than any other club in his career and therefore certainly deserves his place.

LM – 26. Joe Cole

Cole is on the other side of the field to Sinclair. He may not be such a conventional winger, but his skill really enhances this front four’s fantastic style. It’s a shame as to how Cole’s career has panned out, he promised to be the more special of all those from ‘The Academy of Football’ but it hasn’t quite worked out for him, largely because of the ambiguity of what his position is. The role behind the strikers would be good for him but, in a 4-4-2 formation, it’s been decided he should be given the left side of midfield to make his own. He’ll take on defenders and look to cross, or alternatively cut inside and weave his way into the box; an invaluable asset.

ST – 10. Paolo Di Canio

Of course Di Canio is up front, he’s unlikely to get his head on the end of Sinclair’s crosses but if Cole fails to work his way into the area, Di Canio will succeed. He has unbelievable ability on the ball and is also a great goal-scorer, as well as a scorer of spectacular goals. If he was given a chance at a more successful team I have no doubts that he would’ve won more honours and become a Premier League legend, but Di Canio’s loyalty to West Ham meant he never accepted any offers until he was literally forced out of the club. The fiery Italian had as much skill as he did passion and has become a true West Ham legend.

ST – 32. Carlos Tevez

Admittedly it doesn’t make for the tallest striking partnership, even Sam Allardyce would need to change things around for these two, but the ability of the team means they can handle it. Tevez was fantastic for West Ham in his short time there and has been fantastic ever since, despite his string of controversies. Tevez will run all day long, harrying defenders and forging chances for himself, and when he gets them, he will take them. But Tevez is not just feisty; he is one of the most talented players seen at Upton Park in the Premier League and therefore earns the place as the 11th man in this team.

Subs

GK – 1. Robert Green

Regretfully, Green is the only player out of the lot who we still have with us today. He leaves David James and his error prone ways in the reserves and is often overlooked as one of our best players in recent years. Green has salvaged so many points for us over his time at West Ham and I’m sure that I’m not the only one who prays that he gets a new contract.

DEF – 4. Danny Gabbidon

It’s a random one but Gabbidon gets a place on the bench through the merit of our first season back in the Premier League. It was a very memorable team yet not many players would get into this 11, so it’s probably best to have the ‘Hammer of the Year’ waiting to take over from Potts or Ferdinand at any time.

MID – 12. Matthew Etherington

Etherington was a really good, old-fashioned winger who could really win you a game when he was at West Ham. Etherington could replace Cole if we needed to add width and make a more balanced midfield. He deserves a place on the bench.

MID – 18. Frank Lampard

You might not like him but Lampard has been the most consistent goal-scorer from midfield in Premiership history. Alternatively to the Etherington plan, you could bring him on for Sinclair and push Cole behind the strikers to make a 4-3-1-2 team which Barcelona would be proud of.

ST – 21. Jermain Defoe

It’s coming towards the end of the game, you need a goal and the opposing defenders are looking tired, who do you bring on? Jermain Defoe would be a great option a quick player and lethal finisher. Similarly to Lampard he’s certainly not a Hammers favourite, but you can’t deny his ability.

ST – 9. Dean Ashton

It’s always nice to have a little bit of a different option on the bench in terms of strikers, someone a little bit more physical who will get on the end of a cross and put it away. Pre-injury Dean Ashton shrugs off Demba Ba and Iain Dowie to become this option from the bench.

Manager – Harry Redknapp

Alan Pardew was taken into consideration but who better to appoint than Harry Redknapp. West Ham was Redknapp’s first major job and it was he who drafted many of the academy players in this side into the first-team. He also led us to eighth and fifth place finishes in the Premiership and a European trophy. Some Hammers may feel like Harry has betrayed them in recent times by joining Spurs but we have to accept it was a fantastic career move which has taken him to become number one contender for the England job. I’ll never forgive Terence Brown for this one.

So, overall, this has been a rather depressing exercise and has shown what an unbelievable force we could’ve been in the Premier League throughout its existence. However, we can certainly be proud of the players we have had and the ones we have nurtured into the celebrated names they are today.

A Valentine's Day Massacre?

What an occasion it was last time we were here at Upton Park. With 10-men in the first 10 minutes it was possible to envisage us embarrassing ourselves and sinking without a trace; but the players really stepped up to prove that they are completely committed to West Ham United. And we can be equally proud of the behaviour of our fans, it was admittedly a tense atmosphere but there was an absence of trouble from start to finish.

In fact, I wouldn’t be surprised if there was more crime as a result of this fixture; domestic violence on men is likely to rocket. There’s obviously an old, grumpy, single man at the helm of the nPower Championship who chose the date for this game, so thanks a lot for that one mate, you created an awkward conversation for many of us.

For those of you lucky enough to have escaped Valentine’s Day duties to be here tonight, at least you have a romantic fixture on your hands. Finally we get the chance to take on Southampton, who have accompanied us in the automatic promotion spots for the majority of the season, in our home stadium, and can further stretch the gap which divides us.

If it wasn’t for Peterborough’s absolute inadequacy to compete at this level of football we could be in a much better situation. Because of their poor facilities, last weekend’s game was postponed which means we were unable to maintain our 4 point safety net over the Saints. Fortunately for Southampton, their game was in their hands rather than that of an incompetent club, and so they now have the momentum and the opportunity to overtake us. But I’m confident we can handle the pressure.

Despite arguably being the Championship’s biggest game thus far, media attention has been greatly reduced due to the relentless coverage of the England manager’s vacancy. As an Englishman I’m delighted that Fabio Capello has resigned. It still baffles me as to why, in a world where two billion people can speak English, we chose someone who couldn’t to manage England’s national football team.

Hopefully the FA can make a better choice this time as, with Capello out of the picture, I am far more excited for the European Championships in the summer. It is almost inconceivable to imagine anyone other than Harry Redknapp taking over now as it seems inevitable that he will be offered the job.

I think Redknapp would be a good England manager but the main thing for us Hammers is that none of the job changes affect Sam Allardyce’s position. If Redknapp takes the England job, David Moyes could be appointed at Spurs and you might have Everton knocking on our door for ‘Big Sam’, what a disaster that would be.

I know there is still a minority of cynical West Ham fans who would still, ludicrously, welcome Sam’s departure, but if we emerge victorious today it must surely convince the remaining doubters that he has been an outstanding success. If we lose today, our fortunes could reverse as drastically as Redknapp’s did last Wednesday, when he was on his way to prison in the morning and on his way to managing his country in the evening; that is how important today’s game is.

The ideal outcome for West Ham would probably be the simple scenario of Jose Mourinho getting the national job, thereby avoiding the managerial merry-go-round which a Premier League appointment would entail; I can’t see Real Madrid looking to Allardyce as a replacement. This situation is not completely out of the question as I wouldn’t blame Harry for rejecting the job and remaining at White Hart Lane.

Redknapp has built the best squad he has had in his entire career at Tottenham and they are at the perfect age to continue to flourish if they remain loyal. It would be a great shame to throw that away. And looking at the manner in which the media have pounced on Stuart Pearce already, chastising him for something he said 18 years ago and his brother’s political views, why would you swap a job which you are doing fantastically in, for one with such intense pressure?

However, I personally think Redknapp will take the job, he seems to be one of the last old-fashioned, English managers to whom the national job probably still means more than a Premiership one. It wouldn’t surprise me if Spurs declared an interest in Allardyce, just in an effort to unsettle him; they love being a thorn in our side. But they may have already identified his replacement; did anyone see the photo of Avram Grant at the Tottenham training ground on Thursday? Now that would be funny!

With all of this speculation aside, our main concern is today’s game. I’m glad it’s come in the form of an evening game, even if it has fallen on an awkward date. A top of the table clash under the floodlights at Upton Park is something we haven’t experienced enough in recent years. It would be nice to get a glimpse of Ravel Morrison who has already been labelled a ‘homophobe’ by the media. For anyone who didn’t see it, the story was probably written by the same desperate journalist who called Stuart Pearce racist; needless criticism.

It will also be exciting to see our other signings who will probably feature sooner than Morrison. I hope we start with Nicky Maynard up front tonight, supported Ricardo Vaz Te on the wing so we can really attack Southampton in a Valentine’s Day massacre. Come on you Irons!

Follow me on Twitter @RichMaher93

10 West Ham Icons

West Ham has always been a frustrating club to support because it has so little to show in terms of silverware for its great reputation and heritage. This begs the questions as to why it ever gained such a respectful reputation in the first place. One of the reasons is because West Ham United’s story has featured some of football’s most famous figures and this has led to a number of icons emerging in claret and blue.

1. Ron Greenwood


Many supporters and media pundits referenced ‘playing the West Ham way’ when Sam Allardyce was appointed as manager, and that phenomenon is down to Greenwood. Hammers fans often take pride in the reputation of playing ‘football the right way’ and this can be credited to Greenwood as he introduced a whole philosophy which has influenced the club ever since. Greenwood morphed the Hammers into pioneers of skilful football in a similar fashion to Pep Guardiola’s revolution at Barcelona. As manager, Greenwood led the Hammers to two FA Cups and the European Cup Winners’ Cup for their most successful spell in history. Greenwood can draw many parallels with Arsene Wenger, he was an idealist and a perfectionist in the way that he styled his team, but he had nowhere near the same resources as Wenger has had. Greenwood tutored John Lyall into being his successor and his legacy influenced the club, as well as the England national team, to their greatest ever successes.

2. Bobby Moore


There is no doubt that Bobby Moore is West Ham’s, if not English football’s, greatest icon. The image of Moore lofted above the rest of England’s 1966 world-cup winning team at Wembley with the trophy in hand is possibly the most recognisable photo in football history. Moore captained West Ham for more than 10 years and is widely regarded as the best defender who ever lived. Moore gained 108 caps for England and played 544 times for West Ham United and is certainly their most successful player ever having also achieved numerous personal awards such as BBC Sports Personality Of The Year and an O.B.E. You may go as far to say that never again will a West Ham player captain the club to three major trophies, including one in Europe, and lead England to World Cup victory. If you thought David Beckham’s status couldn’t get any greater, imagine if he had led England to a World Cup victory in 2002; that was Bobby Moore, and he did it all with the Hammers on his heart.

3. Trevor Brooking


Many good things emerged from West Ham’s golden age in the 1960’s, and Trevor Brooking was certainly one of them. Having graduated through Greenwood’s regime, Brooking was ready to continue the legacy of beautiful football when the stars of the previous era began to leave and retire. Brooking stepped up to become West Ham’s most important player in a similar way to how Cesc Fabregas did when the likes of Patrick Viera, Robert Pires and Thierry Henry departed. It is impossible to tell as to whether Brooking’s skill can be compared to the likes of Lionel Messi’s, but his majestic nature was so evident on a playing surface far rougher and muddier than the smooth ground we see today, that it is definitley worth arguing. When the Hammers were relegated, Brooking showed indescribable loyalty by pledging to stay with the team, and he did so for the rest of his career. He has even made a brief comeback as manager on 2 occasions in times of trouble, and only lost 1 game. Brooking is certainly the Hammers’ second greatest icon.

4. Billy Bonds


After signing from Charlton as a young full-back, Bonds went on to make a record 793 appearances for the Hammers in a spell at the club stretching over 20 years. Grit and determination is something West Ham supporters have always been fond of, and it is possible that this derives from Bonds. After Bobby Moore left for Fulham, Bonds’ natural leadership made him the obvious successor to the captain’s armband, and this was an honour he held down for many years to come. His strong and tough nature in midfield enabled the team to cater for the flamboyance of Brooking to provide the creativity which made the dynamics of this West Ham team so effective. Bonds can be compared to the likes of Michael Essien in the modern-day, whose defensive ability is the key to his game and allows the more creative players to flourish. However Bonds, like Essien, did not operate without the surging runs he became equally famous for and which led to him scoring almost 50 times for West Ham. To cement his legendary status, Bonds was the club’s manager between 1990 and 1994. He truly resembles the kind of defensive midfielder which has become so popular today.

5. Tony Cottee


Here is yet another local boy who came through the academy to play an integral role in West Ham’s history. Cottee burst onto the scene in a similar fashion to how Wayne Rooney did at Everton; as a 17 year-old debutant he hit the net against West Ham’s rivals Tottenham, not a bad way to introduce yourself. Cottee continued to score goals and amassed 92 in his first spell at West Ham. His goals were vital to West Ham’s third place finish in 1986, their highest ever, and he won the PFA Young Player of the Year in the same season, think how much he would’ve been worth in today’s game. Cottee did move to Everton for a British record transfer fee but he eventually returned when he was signed by Harry Redknapp in 1994. Cottee hadn’t lost his shooting boots and managed to net another 24 for the Hammers, making him one of West Ham’s highest goalscorers to date. Any West Ham striker less than 5ft8 will continue to be compared to Cottee long into the future.

6. Julian Dicks


It’s quite rare for a left-back to be thrown into a list of iconic players but ‘The Terminator’ cannot be excluded. Dicks combined the unforgiving, tough tackling that fans love to see with an undeniably wicked left-foot in a way which few have since Roberto Carlos. Dicks’ hard-man reputation often clouded the fact that he was actually an excellent footballer and managed to score 50 goals for West Ham. Dicks was able to power down the left wing in a manner as threatening as Gareth Bale does for Tottenham today, and if he was given enough space on the edge of the area, he would not be afraid to release a thunderous drive at goal. It’s also debatable as to whether West Ham have had a better penalty taker since Dicks as his explosive shot was effectively replicated from 12 yards. However, Dicks’ attacking talents were not to compensate for his defensive ability as he defended in a formidable manner which was certain to strike fear into any winger who considered a few step-overs; the best left-back ever to play for the club.

7. Tony Carr


It is difficult to select one of the magnificent players that ‘The Academy of Football’ has produced as firstly, many are good enough to be in this list, but secondly because none of them were loyal enough to West Ham United to be considered for selection. However, the emergence of these players is widely credited to Tony Carr and so, although he has never made a professional appearance for the club, he is a worthy icon. Carr resembles West Ham’s proudest institution, their youth academy, which has produced the likes of Rio Ferdinand, John Terry, Glen Johnson, Jermain Defoe, Michael Carrick, Joe Cole, Frank Lampard and more. If Carr’s class had remained at West Ham then it is certain that they would’ve been far more successful in recent times than they have been and would’ve probably been regular Champions League spot, if not Premier League title, contenders. Although this is somewhat of a regret, Carr’s brilliance has not gone to waste as he has generated extortionate amounts of money through player sales which have saved the club financially on more than one occasion.

8. Paolo Di Canio


Di Canio is West Ham’s greatest contemporary icon, resembling the style and skill which has been seen throughout football’s modern age of the Premier League and foreign imports. The Italian was a controversial signing as his eccentric nature, which had previously led to him toppling a referee, made him somewhat of a cult figure in the English game. However, his skill was undeniable and had been showcased during spells at footballing giants such as Lazio, Juventus and AC Milan. Di Canio’s career at West Ham was a huge success; the passion and emotion which he brought to the team made him a fans’ favourite instantaneously and it appeared he fell in love with the fans just as quickly. Highlights of Di Canio’s West Ham career include a winner at Old Trafford, the greatest Premier League goal to date and an emotional winner against Chelsea in his last game at Upton Park. There was never a dull moment with Di Canio and many hope that one day he can return as manager.

9. Carlos Tevez


It may be debatable as to whether Tevez is worthy of a place on this list given that he featured just 26 times for West Ham, but his character and ability certainly made him a true West Ham icon. A move to the biggest clubs in Europe was mooted for the Argentinian international before he was surprisingly transferred to West Ham in one of the most controversial deals of all time. Upon a wave of excitement, Tevez struggled to settle at first, but as the Hammers looked to be sinking into the second tier of English football, his brilliance prevailed. Tevez scored 7 goals in the last few games of the season to achieve one of the greatest escapes football has ever seen, including a stunning free-kick against Tottenham and a winning goal at Old Trafford on the final day. Although his attitude has been a matter of dispute in recent times, his commitment to West Ham on the pitch was unquestionable.

10. Scott Parker


Parker is the most recent player who can be considered a true icon; his face was stapled to every West Ham marketing campaign until he was regretfully sold earlier this season. Parker arrived amongst a number of high-profile, proven Premiership players during the free-spending Icelandic period. Like many of these recruits, his breakthrough was heavily delayed due to injury; however he stood out as the only one who could really reach iconic status. Parker’s gritty determination and commitment meant he carried one of the poorest West Ham teams ever through some very difficult times and almost single-handedly saved them from relegation in 2010. Parker also provided some vital goals in his time and his ability was finally recognised by Fabio Capello when he was recently drafted into the England squad. Following the inevitable relegation in 2011, Parker was sold to Tottenham in order to aid him with his international aspirations. It is testament to Parker that only a small minority begrudge him of the move and it is even possible that he could receive the England captaincy in the near future.

West Ham have had the privilege of being involved with a number of iconic figures throughout history. However, few of these individuals were of this status before their association with West Ham and so it is clear that, although we are not the most successful team in the world, we are truly great at creating genuine football icons.

Follow me on Twitter @RichMaher93

The Millwall game means nothing

With the intense anxiety surrounding our fixture against Millwall, I was posed with the question as to what it would actually mean for our fans to thrash the Lions. I have come to the conclusion, that in the grand scheme of things, it means little more than an ordinary game.

Whilst Millwall have not entered the top tier of English football for over two decades, the majority of West Ham’s recent history has either been spent there or vying to return there. Although I will be accused of being a biased West Ham fan, I think we can safely say that the Hammers are a far bigger club.

Modern history has seen us develop a more relevant rivalry with Tottenham Hotspur, a club which has been in the same division as us far more often and who we have had arguably more fracases with, the latest being the battle for the Olympic Stadium. When we beat Tottenham I am filled with an immense sense of pride and relish the next, inevitably, boastful encounter I will have with a Spurs fan; when we beat Millwall it is more a sense of relief.

Whilst both clubs have had their own aims to focus on, West Ham’s being promotion and Millwall’s towards the other end of the table, eyes have certainly been drawn to this game, whether it is with eagerness or caution. The initial leg played at the Den resulted in a dull 0-0, but of course the main thing to report was an impressive lack of crowd violence.

The rivalry between West Ham and Millwall has become so warped by popular culture and Danny Dyer’s everlasting list of football ‘firm’ films that the violence which was synonymous with 1980s hooliganism shamefully returned to the surface just three years ago. Strangely, the match between the sides at Upton Park in 2004 and even in the corresponding fixture earlier this season have passed by without incident. So what was different about the infamous meeting in 2009?

Quite simply, being a League Cup match which was not included on the season ticket, much of the ground was not filled with genuine Hammers’ fans but with rowdy idiots who purchased tickets to the match with the sole intention of re-creating the violent rivalry which has been advertised through cinema in recent years.

Although these topless yobs on the pitch may have had hammers imprinted on their skin, a real West Ham supporter would care more about our reputation and the negative repercussions the club could face rather than shattering a Millwall fan’s cheekbone.

Whilst the banter of healthy rivalry is integral to the character of football as a whole, seeing it resort to mindless violence undermines the whole purpose of the game which is, ultimately to entertain. Thanks to the outrageous scenes of the last meeting between the two clubs at Upton Park, alcohol is banned within a surrounding proximity of the Boleyn Ground and many parents have refused to take their children to the match, this affects the way in which a huge amount of people want to enjoy football.

The absurdity of wanting to injure, or even kill, another man on the basis of who he wants to win a game of football is almost incomprehensible when you look at it in that way. Many of these stupid thugs don’t even know why they are attacking the man opposite them; it is simply “because he supports Millwall!”

In truth the rivalry originates from when Thames Ironworks were placed on the opposite side of the River Thames to Millwall’s founding company and put in direct competition with them. It is easy to see why, when both companies decided to form football teams, it was always a fierce encounter.

However a fiery competition on the pitch is completely different to hundreds of grown-men lobbing glass at each other over. I hope it does get heated on the pitch this Saturday as that is the best and most entertaining way to respect this historic rivalry, not by fighting other fans.

The main thing for real West Ham fans is that we pick ourselves up from a shocking 5-1 defeat to Ipswich in the week and remain on course to win the Championship. We are excited to see the new signings Ricardo Vaz Te, Ravel Morrison and Nicky Maynard add some much needed pace and flair to our football; we do not want to see pathetic old men or ignorant troublemakers trying to cling onto a shameful period of football’s past.

It would mean an enormous amount for Hammers’ fans to see an exciting and passionate game of football in which West Ham emerge victors, but not because of the regretful connotations of this fixture. It would mean so much because it would prove that the players actually care about West Ham United, a matter of debate with regards to Tuesday night, and would push us a step closer to returning to where we belong.