Between tonight's game against G(h)ent in London and Sunday's game against Bournemouth Hammers ENTIRE season could be defined, victory in both fixtures would see the club reach yet another European competition semi final AND secure Premier League football for next season. Of course defeat in either fixture will have the doom merchants jumping on board with their vast amounts of negative energy directed at the club.
It should not have really come down to this state of affairs given the relatively large financial investment in the squad of late but it is what it is, there is nothing more to add other than it is 'sh*t or bust' time now and nothing other than a resounding win will do tonight! That said, Gent showed enough during the first leg to show just how dangerous they CAN be, so Hammers will have to be at the top of their game to progress to the semi finals.
There are those who argue that the Conference Cup is little more than a sideshow and that PREMIER LEAGUE survival is ALL that matters and to a degree they are correct, BUT winning the 'Con Cup' earns a place in next season's Europa League, something neither Chelsea nor Liverpool look like being able to attain, so it is NOT exactly a dead rubber!
Success against Gent and Bournemouth will NOT make the season something to bang on about in the bragging rights among supporters, but it would go a long way to bringing back the feel good factor that their club once had. Essentially whether by luck or judgement there are at least three teams who are far worse off and if things stay that way then there will be plenty of time to lick the wounds of this currently disappointing season and look forward to the next, hopefully with a new manager at the helm who is a little more forward thinking than David Moyes who has done a stirling job but now needs to move on OR retire!
Ticket sales for tonight's game have rocketed following last weekend's spirited fightback against the Gooners, more of the same will see a lot of happy faces leaving Stratford this evening, a return to the team's 'negative nancy' approach will most definitely NOT! - Ed
Comments
The Arse game
Has hopefully rejuvenated a season that was only heading one way! Of course we all want to win this cup,the trophy cabinet has layers & layers of dust!!
Proofs in the pudding
I am sure many Fans are looking to see if Moyes or the players discard the handbrake approach that has made this season unbearable.
We may aswell win it now we
We may aswell win it now we have come this far,but but i havent been a fan of it,we need to stay up.
No match thread
So I'll kick it off,pathetic goal to give away to a very average Belgium side...so I guess normal service is resumed
Im in Stratford mate,couldnt
Im in Stratford mate,couldnt be bothered to go to the game,stayed in the pub.
Nice 1 Essex
At least Ants has got a goal at last
Your not wrong there mate
Your not wrong there mate.
Quality goal from Ant .
A lot better from Westham
At last a pen
Cool as a cucumber
Well done the pacman
Rice, another 10 mill on his
Rice, another 10 mill on his asking price
Goal of the season
From Rice...COYI
Deft left foot from Rice. He
Deft left foot from Rice. He is class.
Declan you wil always be West
Declan you wil always be West Ham.
Ants a brace
This team have always had it in them just need a bit of belief & release the handbrake
I dont believe what im seeing
I dont believe what im seeing
Our season has just changed
Our season has just changed before our eyes,big turning point.....COYI.
I wonder if someone
Has had a word in Moyes shell - like,stop concentrating on defending & let these players express themselves you CLINT!! LOL
I think your right mate.
I think your right mate.
Look s like it mate
Look s like it mate
It's been a long time coming
This season but it's so good to see us on the front foot.
Rice Pac Bowen & Ants let them off the leash & they're formidable,is that where Moyes has gone wrong? Playing too defensive & giving too much respect to the opposition? I think so
Rice has to get motm but Paca
Rice has to get motm but Paca ran him close
brilliant
what a great game didn't we play well now lets kick on and get 3 points Sunday C.O.Y.I
If they can manage to play
If they can manage to play like this in future i personally will gorge myself on humble pie ,it was vintage west ham ,it what we've all been on about all season ,objectively i dont want to be like Man shity , they have an air of invincibility that sickens me ,i think they've fected up the premiership with their moneys no object , i just want to win something now and again .
That performance tonight was incredible .