Rice A Class Above!

There is something of the late great 'Sir' Bobby Moore about Declan Rice, albeit in the format of a modern day footballer earning vast amounts of money compared to when Bobby played the game. Apart from putting in a true captain's performance against a team Hammers 'owed one', Rice showed he was just that little bit more special with the heartfelt kindness he showed to a young fan at the end of the match that saw visitors Manchester United beaten by a Said Benrahma goal.

Seeing the youngster clearly disconsolate, the Hammers captain went over to see why the little lad bedecked in his Irons kit was crying after such a wonderful victory, "I don't know" said the youngster "I can't help it", at which point Rice have the boy a lovely cuddle and then when the tears had stopped and Decs was asked if he could give the boy his shirt he immediately acquiesced saying he had promised his shirt to Marcus Rashford but that the boy could ave it instead.

This was the mark of a man who is proud to wear the captain's armband of such a great club steeped in the tradition of working with youngsters, irrespective of when he eventually moves to a club that can guarantee Champions League football EVERY season, with the likes of City, Arsenal, Chelsea and Real Madrid more than interested in buying him, it is a question of where to? Not IF he leaves.

It will be a shame to see Declan go, but no one can accuse him of not giving his absolute all for the club just as he did during yesterday's memorable game in which he shoved the words of so called experts back down their throats again with his imperious display all around the pitch.

The atmosphere at the Queen Elizabeth Stadium was magnificent, those who perhaps have only visited there once or twice or not even at all would have to admit it was rocking, an atmosphere as good if not better than many nights at the beloved Boleyn Ground.

This did prove a point that if the team play with the endeavour and skill exhibited on Sunday the crowd WILL get behind them and make a mockery of the fact that the crowd IS TOO far away from the action! One day the Stadium will be partly rebuilt and acquire a proper name!

In the meantime all the crowd can do is to get behind the team for the 'Con Cup' semi final on Thursday and the game against Sama Allardyce's Leeds United for the final home game of the season. - Ed