“Now is the time for all good men to come to the aid of their country” was a phrase proposed as a typing drill by a teacher named Charles E. Weller. Originallythe phrase ended with the word 'party', but it was altered by many to country because it exactly fills out a 70-space line. Of course this quasi Sheakespearian expression has been hijacked and used for various crowd inspiring speeches in movies and TV shows, not forgetting dreary bi-election speeches!
When news broke of Christian Ronaldo re-signing for Manchester Utd, and that his 2nd Barclays Premier League appearance would be against West Ham there were those who were filled with trepidation at the thought of the 'pompous one' strutting his stuff at the London Bowl.
When Michail Antonio managed to get himself sent off against Southampton, the doom sayers quickly had a field day as they anticipated a Hammers gubbing at the hands of the Manchester outfit. One of the main reasons David Moyes found it almost impossible to sign a 'decent' striker is that no one who is worth his salt wanted to come and play second fiddle to a player who is currently one of the most feared forwards in World football.
Today's seminal game will go a long way to show if Hammers are a 'one trick pony' or a team of real substance, the club's inferiority complex when it came to facing elite teams in the past has got to be put to bed at some time hasn't it? Sure the visitors have a good team, but so does David Moyes, it is up to his players to prove that they are not totally reliant on Antonio, after all at 31 years of age he cannot play forever!
"Now is the time for all good 'players' to come to the aid of their club" and show that they are capable of mixing it with the supposed elite, also to prove that last season's success was not a flash in the pan! - Ed
