They Fade and Die…for now

If you had asked me, or any West Ham supporter what we expected to happen given:

a)    A move to the Olympic Stadium

b)    A clear commitment to pushing the club into the Champions League stratosphere

c)    Expectations of consistent top 6 domestic league success

We all would have said, yeah, right. Bollocks.

And strangely we were right on the money. 

Here’s a SelfonSoccer overview for the last 2 ½ years.

a)    Bilic in

Payet BS's his Lie-Detector Test

b)    Grab a few players no one had heard of

c)    One comes good – Payet and now we are buzzing

d)    Get into Europa on the ‘Fair Play’ deal – get knocked out Qualifying Round 3

e)    Beat a bunch of teams we hate – they all beat each other too

f)     We finish in the top 10 but end the season looking like defensive swiss cheese

g)    Make Europa thanks to Man Utd winning the FA Cup

h)    Move to the Olympic Stadium

i)      Get knocked out in the playoff round against the same Muppet team

j)      Payet has a meltdown – doesn’t play. Goes home

I see it. It's moving......

k)    Crap season – finish 11^th

l)      Second year at the Olympic Stadium

m)   Bilic gets the boot

n)    ‘The Chosen One’ gets the nod. 1 point from 2 games.

o)    Currently 18^th in the league – 10 points from 13 games – goal difference -14

p)    We haven’t even played Man City yet.

Pretty Bubbles in the Air........a fly?

So, to summarize. Exactly as we expected.

One day you’ll have kids. They may be smart and good looking – but probably not. So the kid you love who is not that smart and a 7/10 dates a hottie. You are over the moon – love it. Tell the neighbors and invite the kid over right after you clean the entire house, park the 1995 shitty Mazda around the corner and order food in because:

1)    Your cooking would be banned 9/10 times if inspected by the Health Department

2)    The lighter fuel for the Barbie has gone missing

3)    Microwave dinners don’t set a great example

So the awesome hottie comes over. But all the time you know this is a case of ‘make hay while the sun shines’. Deep down you feel sadness for your kid – you know this is a ‘flash in the pan’. Deep down it was you 25 years ago when you took that Spanish bird out for a meal in the West End.

Such is the life of a West Ham supporter. One Swallow doesn’t make a summer. In fact, one swallow never even made a ‘somewhat surprising less crappy day’.

And so I present the life of a Hammers Supporter. Crap.

But I have a plan. I am going to save West Ham United. I am going to do something that will provide a lifeline of gritty ‘working class talent’ that the Irons need. I am starting a business, so I can have my own money to support, coach, develop and link the most athletic footballers to West Ham United.

They are here, in the US. But they don’t play ‘Soccer’. It costs too much. Think of Basketball in the UK. Totally crap. You have to pay to rent 4 badminton courts to actually play a game indoors.

The US has ‘pay for play’ soccer. It doesn’t work – just look at the US Men’s Team. Awful.

Soccer is a working-class sport. You got to want to play because it is the only thing that will get you out of the ghetto.

I’m back on the blog. I’m working with my partner, Jill, to sell the most successful and fastest growing skin care products on the market.

Here it is - just click on this - Matt Self Rodan & Fields

Why?

Because you have to have your own money to do something.

5 Years. That’s my target. Still teaching along the way and loving it.

The very minimum is this:  In 5 years I will pay for a kid with nothing to get the best coaching and have a chance of a full scholarship at a Division 1 College. Plus time at West Ham United’s Youth Academy.

What do you hope for in those moments when all is possible?

Stay in touch – check out a few things. The Hammers will be back. Just be patient. Thanks for reading. Thanks to Earl, a guy who coaches youth soccer over here in Indiana and loves West Ham. Thanks to Cosmo - a kid who I teach Science to and now loves West Ham. 

Last game at Upton Park - ever.

What’s all the fuss about? Last game at “The Boleyn Ground” or Upton Park. Three photographs that will tell you why. 1964. 1965. 1966

1964 West Ham United win the FA Cup

Captain: Bobby Moore   Geoff Hurst

1965 West Ham win the European Cup Winners Cup   

Captain: Bobby Moore   Geoff Hurst  Martin Peters

1966 England win the World Cup

Captain Bobby Moore   

Geoff Hurst (3)  Martin Peters (1)

Many, including Alex Ferguson, have claimed to have no idea what the “West Ham Way” is. In 1953, England lost 3:6 at home to a superior Hungarian team. It was the first loss after a 24 game stretch of success and showed the tactical frailties of the English system of coaching.

Teams like West Ham set about adapting and moving the game in England forward to enable our teams, and then country to be competitive on a European and World stage. The first English club to win a European title was Tottenham Hotspur, in 1963. The second, West Ham United, in 1964.

Despite years of European success by other English clubs, the standard was set in the east end of London. That success combined to enable England to lift the Jules Rimet Trophy in 1966.

The term “The Academy of Football” was coined at West Ham United – academy now, globally, a term used to describe the best an organization can offer in terms of development.

So, as May 10^th plays out, regardless of the result at Upton Park. A legacy draws to a close at a place we owe much.

Forever blowing bubbles, pretty bubbles in the air.

Controversially, let me tell you why Frank Lampard was the last hope.

The England National Team should have been built entirely around Frank Lampard.

There, I said it. So here is the agenda for this blog, April 2015:

a) An update of the valiant ‘U10 Grey West Ham United’ Indoor Rec Team
b) A short summary of 93 minutes of England v Italy today
c) Why Frank Lampard could and should have been the cornerstone of a vastly superior national team.

U10 Grey West Ham

The Gang - No Tanner though - he was sick this week.

What a fabulous group of kids. Last game – lost 10-1. Not quite sure why the opponent coach felt it necessary to field his stronger players in the last quarter of the game. Might have been a ‘Champions League Goal Difference’ thing. I’m sure he has a reason. Thank you to the venue – Off the Wall, Carmel, for replacing the referee following our communication. The new lad was great – fair, talked to the kids and interacted really well. Interestingly, our players asked if we would play again next year…..haha! Another year under our belt….revenge is a dish best served cold? No. I’d rather coach / play with those kids in a gym without a weekly rendezvous with a psycho opponent coach. He’s the classic evidence of a coach who has no idea what soccer is all about….so, 10 secs to go and they have possession….


Fancy a Curry after the game..?

“shoot, come on shoot, 6, 5, 4, 3…..”  (Opponent coach)
“scream / general scream / shoot / kick” (Random parents on the bleachers)
“You’re winning 10-1 – this ain't March Madness” (me)
Wow. What an goat.

Italy v England

I’m getting old, really old. I have to admit to only knowing 6 or so of the players for England today, and have even less knowledge of the teams they play for.


Marco.....Polo......

Who are you?
 Known
Rooney (sadly)
Walcott (although he’s been AWOL for ages)
Hart
Jones (just)
Berkley (slightly more than Jones)
Smalling (known but thought he was no good enough according to the Mail)
Townsend (confused with Walcott)


James Mason - Actor

Ryan Mason - Spurs

Kane (Spurs player so I am allowed to deny his existence)
Unknown
Bertrand Delph                                                                 
Mason
The right back           
Others playing wearing white.

Italy, without trying, looked superior. England had little width and lacked real quality in the final third. Phil Jones looked like he was going to have a heart attack. We let a Southampton player score against us. Harry Kane looked like a slightly younger Dean Ashton, and average. At least we were spared Steven Gerrard. It wasn’t very entertaining but I understand the process of sizing up the developing talent. Best to keep our hopes low key and look forward to Qatar 2022 (assuming the World Cup will actually be there and also that ISIS are not running the country by then).

 And Finally…..Fat Frank

 

One of the most successful products of 'The Academy of Football'

When you grab an early seat at the 116^th Street Chatham’s Tap, in Carmel IN, you can order a ‘Fat Frank’s’ Breakfast. There isn’t a “Steven Gerrard’s Marmite on Toast’ on the menu. You get where I am coming from. Frank rocks.

Recently, there has been an orgy of ‘Steven Gerrard is moving on’ type of stuff from the media. Great patron to Liverpool, of course, but in my opinion, one reason England have failed to win anything. It was always Gerrard v Lampard – you just can’t play them both. Gerrard wore his heart on his sleeve – Frank is quietly scoring a record number of goals for Chelsea as a midfielder. Frank moves over to Man City and everyone is concerned, because he is dangerous. Gerrard scores a goal against a Mickey Mouse team in the FA Cup and he is all glory again. Of course, so wonderful he stamps on a player and gets sent off in less than 2 minutes. Passion? Who needs it?

Quality – that’s how you beat the best in the world.  Frank always had that – but sadly we got caught up in the ‘You’ll never walk alone’ passion and pride and assumed if we really cared about it all we would win something. Thanks Frank – like many others before you, your contribution to the game is overshadowed by our national love for chest beating. Captain of England right now? Exactly….

 

 

Should soccer be the platform for kids to learn hard lessons for life...at 9?

This weekend was a low point in the grand scheme of coaching football. I want to tell you the story - share a couple of emails - and then you can make your own mind up.

I have so much to say about West Ham United, too. Kids come first though. More on BFS, Carroll and the post holiday demise of the Irons later. I’ll even sell you Frank Lampard as the ‘Golden One’ of English Football and the center of a National Team. Too late for Frank now, sadly.

Firstly, let me show you the scenario after 6 weeks of recreational soccer:

League Standings: Rec Plus Boys

U10 Boys-West Ham United-Self-Sport Gray
Played 6                 Won 0                  Lost     6            Tied    0     
Goals For    11       Goals aganist  52  (when counted) GD    -41

With a squad of 9 players - 2 girls and one only 8 years old, we ventured into the homogeneous world of Northside indoor soccer. It’s a U10 Boys league - some teams are set up by the ‘house’ some are externally organized and brought in. ‘Travel’ soccer players are not allowed to participate. Anyone off the street can coach a team if they get in early enough. Girls are allowed to play in this league, I was told.

We’ve not had a great experience - the kids on the team are hanging on, like kids do. It takes all my experience as a teacher and coach to motivate, enthuse and turn defeat into some kind of learning experience. What is shocking is the utter lack of empathy towards other teams and the utter lack of quality coaching. Here is a brief overview of some classic moments. Let’s preface this with (and for those of you who know me) a honest admission that I have not stood back and taken this. Over the last three weeks I have chosen to speak directly to the coaches and ask them to re-consider their tactics. They don’t like that - I’m pretty nice, but I’m not prepared to be quiet when an 8 year old nearly gets knocked out, or a team playing us when we have 3 girls on the field just stick their strongest players out there regardless.

Here are a highlight of a few classic moments:

A team with 3 coaches all shouting at the player with the ball - and shouting different things “dribble” or “shoot”. Shouting to the extent that the overall impact is to simply confuse al the players. (Please remember these are 8/9 or young 10 year olds in a country that spends most of it’s time with a ball in its hands).

A coach who complains because our team are not out and ready to play for the second half - when we had already conceded 12 goals in 20 minutes. He asked me what I was doing - I said “coaching them”. His answer was “parents have come to see their kids play.   After the game, one of the quieter coaches agreed with me on the point that we should not shout at kids with the ball - single channel theory tells us the human brain cannot process 2 complex tasks simultaneously.

A coach, when asked if he would keep a slightly weaker 7 on the field for the last 7 minutes of the game (opponents were 12-0 up at this point) told his players a few minutes later to “let us score a goal” - He then proceed to ask me if I was happy. I shook his hand after the game and told him he should be ashamed.

The same coach - after “letting” us score a goal, lets his team shoot from the kick off and score. I step on the field to get our kids going again and take off the lad who is in tears; because the opponents laughed at him when he missed a chance to score.

Alongside a lack of respect from the other coaches - a ref who stands and watches while 9/10 year kids re-start a game like they are playing the American version of football, or let’s players, with their back turned, stamp their feet into a tackle.

Here is the letter I wrote following the last game:

Hope all is well - my team have enjoyed playing, learned a lot and appreciate the opportunity to participate in the U10 boys rec league. I think the set up has a lot of merit - and lots of parents and kids have access to soccer during the winter. However, I am trying very hard to keep my team positive and enthusiastic after 6 games. We've lost them all - played with 2 (3 today) girls and not really encountered much support from the other teams. We've conceded an official 52 goals - but, of course, that is probably about 15 less than actual given the overall score is not displayed on the board. We had an 8 year old nearly knocked out last week - and our team yesterday were in emotional tatters.

The last 3 weeks have been increasingly difficult as opponent coaches are not willing to be supportive. Last week the coach was critical to our team when we were not ready to start the second half on time. I spent an extra 1:30 trying to explain to our team about keeping their shape. We had conceded about 11/12 goals in the first half. You know me - I had no problem talking back to him.

This week - I asked the coach, with 7:30 to go, if he would play his less strong seven for the remaining time in the game. We were losing about 11/12 to 0.  He simply told his players a few minutes later to let us score. The lack of sportsmanship was surprising - I had 8 players, a ninth who was my 3rd daughter stepping in for her sick brother - so we had girls on the field the whole time. Right at that point - the navy blue team proceeded to shoot from the kick off and score. I got my players all together and gave them some encouragement - on the field - and took off one lad who was in tears. This is all after requesting they be more inclusive.

I know I am passionate about coaching and I stand up for my players - I haven't really seen any empathy from other teams. I am using every inch of my years of experience to carry these kids through this experience - but it is extremely hard.

If you ask the young lad who refs our games - he'll tell you I am a crazy - complain too much / talk to the other coaches (well, only  last three games) and he doesn't like it when I need to I get on the field to help individuals, I was sad today to hear him side with the opposing coach and tell him 'he's always like this' and joining him in calling me a hypocrite - right in front of me (but away from the kids).

After all the years coaching and teaching sport, I am sad to say there is a lack of sportsmanship and a lack of 'learning' in this U10 rec league. I feel strongly there should be an emphasis on sportsmanship and how to play the game at the age of 8, 9 and 10. The other teams do not know how to start a game properly - and other coaches don't say anything. The navy blue coach called me a hypocrite because I shout all the time. I actually talk to all my players off the ball with positional guidance and simply encourage alone the way. He spent the game shouting shoot. I know I can't do anything about it and I am not expecting you to. Just describing the experience.

I know I may over-step the mark with my comments to other coaches - but there is a lack of understanding on their part and I do not feel the need to apologize for my passion and sense of what is right. Today - one of my hardest working and committed players left the field in tears during the game.

I have a responsibility to support, coach and protect my players - honestly, I am close to the point where I would rather tell them the season is done and I will personally reimburse them for the last 2 games.

Again, I am grateful for everything you all do at your facility  For me, having coached kids for 26 years from 4 year olds upwards - all the way to a team that won U19 English Schools honors and my work with West Ham United's Academy, I simply expect more of people coaching kids. If there was anything I would suggest - it would be to have a more experienced ref who has the ability and expectation to get out on the field and take advantage of learning opportunities. I also understand you are running a business too!

For the last 2 weeks I will focus on my team - and refrain from any comments to coaches and referees.

With thanks and regards,
Matt


For the record, and with my friend Joel’s permission - I’ll add the email he sent to me after watching the last game:

As a spectator I found it frustrating to watch as the other team, and obviously the coach too, showed little if any compassion for what they were doing.  As a coach, even I viewed their selfishness of the game unsportsmanlike like.  I've learned over my short 14 years coaching career that nearly 95% of the coaches have an ego too large to fit on the pitch and therefore they can't stomach any sort of criticism from a fellow coach least of all if it has a hint of direction in it.  Closed minded coaching is a cancer in this sport.  Not enough are willing to step outside of their own team and see what they can do to help.  I noticed he moved away from you after you spoke with him and kept moving further as you continued to ask him for assistance.  It's so unfortunate that a team that obviously is the dominate of the two doesn't at least take an approach to hear you out. The worst thing I witnessed out of the entire match was his way of "letting your team score".  That really shows his lack of experience of teaching the game.  Last I heard Indiana State Soccer Association still educates coaches that U10 is a learning age group.  It's embarrassing as a D License  coach to see how someone takes the fun out of the sport like he did Saturday.

Joel's comment “Closed minded coaching is a cancer in this sport” is a fabulous one. Right on the mark.

What would you do in my shoes? Continue to ‘fight the fight’ or step away from it and try to focus completely on the kids? What would you do as a parent if your son / daughter played for a team that were just being nailed week in week out? We are not talking senior level - 8, 9 and 10 year old kids.

Honestly, I’m appalled. I wish I could work out how to turn this around and educate parents and coaches on how important it is to see the bigger picture when kids are learning how to play at an early age. Fight the fights worth fighting?

If you’re interested come at see our next game - this Saturday at 12pm. Let me know if want to know where!

Fingers crossed that Arsenal get the job done tomorrow. Well done Blackburn. Garry and the gang are probably exhausted after 92 minutes at Anfield today.
Matt

West Ham United…   Seriously?

A 3 part story - like Downton Abbey without Mr Carson and tea at 4pm...

Part 1 - Before the game: Hammers v Cardiff

As the unhappy Hammers prepare for a massive game away at Cardiff (the Welsh equivalent to Millwall), us jaded supporters are looking back on a week of daily analysis, prediction and abuse. In a nutshell, and this is my personal view, three groups are casting their opinion on the Hammers.

The Press

PhilMcNulty of BBC Sport claimed he was choosing his words carefully when he described West Ham’s performance against Man City as pathetic. It is a wonderful week of news opportunity when a premier league club fall so far and so quickly. Also, the opportunity to cast judgment one of England’s more consistent managers, Big Sam. The Press are the group that are rejoicing in the chance to tell us what is wrong and how it should be fixed. As McNulty did, blaming apathetic players and a Manager who has made questionable decisions having lost ‘the dressing room’, is their option. Bottom line: their stories sell newspapers. Nobody gets excited to read a back page story entitled “Big Sam will be fine”. Of course, the added element of a $4 million payoff to sack Alladyce is a reporters dream.

The Pundits and Players

Well actually, I see two groups within this one. Those pundits who write for newspapers, websites etc like Robbie Savage are knocking on the door of the press. You could argue it is both easy to pick West Ham apart and predict Alladyce will be sacked. Supporting him would put the pundit in the position of actually being wrong and doing so in print. I think that is why Lawro predicts each Premier League game as 2:0, he never takes any chances. Side note: a thousand thanks to Stallone and de Niro for showing the prediction game up as what it is – just a laugh. The second group here are the players and coaches who have worked with Alladyce, or at least are in the game and know it inside out. Their opinion, mostly, is that Alladyce is the man to get the Hammers outof trouble and with another manager in place, Big Sam would be what you need to get you out of trouble. Also, the lack of defensive players through injury and the infamous absence of Andy Carroll. Defensively, West Ham kept 11 clean sheets with Reid and Collins at the back. Reid was voted ‘Hammer of the Year’ last season. The clean sheets did not help given the lack of goals being scored at the other end…Andy, where are you?

The Supporters

I have, historically been critical of the speed at which West Ham supporters whine, complain and demand their money back after each poor performance. I do this as I, like my family, have lived with the ‘fortunes always hiding’ mentality of the old east end. My grandfather lived in a ‘2 up 2 down’ terrace house on Wakefield Street and survived. If anyone deserved a little luck, he did. Supporting a team like the Irons teaches us many valuable lessons; one being you have to take the rough with the smooth. Being based in the US does not allow me the opportunity to be a season ticket holder and given that I understand the frustration of supporters with deep pockets who follow the team around the country. I understand the frustration of a 5 hour drive home on a cold and wet night with nothing to show for the money spent. Still, I do my fair bit to promote the club abroad and there are many people who will never be able to set foot on our fair isle who sport a Hammers shirt or can recall stories of Moore, Hurst, Brooking etc. You’d be surprised how many people haveheard, in some way, of West Ham United across the planet. The posts on thisblog alone have been read in 40 countries and around 40,000 times. BUT, bottom line, whining skinny eastenders drive me nuts. As obsessed as I am about the club, it seems many individuals make fair use of social media to rant and rave their diatribe multiple times a day. My theory: you have a choice on how to spend your hard earned British pound. We, and they, may be ‘West Ham till we die’ but supporting them may actually be the death of us!

So….. Which ever way you look at it the Happy Hammers have their backs against the wall. Time to move on to Part 2…

Part 2 Hammers v Cardiff.....

Saturday. Not any ordinary day as today is the day the Irons play Cardiff, who in my opinion are Millwall in disguise. 7:45 and I am watching Hull v Chelsea. Hull’s team warming up look decent, Jose looks nearly as sexy as George Clooney and I am left thinking, this is Kingston upon bloody Hull – I mean, nearly as shite a location as Kings Lynn or Grimsby. Luckily, Chelsea are playing Luis in midfield, which is a bit like a hybrid of Coco the Clown and Colombia’s Valderama being given the job of protecting President Obama. He is shite, Luis that is and that is funny.

Departure for Bloomington, Indiana re family funeral. The Irons kick off, 4,000 miles away on route. Demel gets carried off. Oh dear, here we go, still, everything sits at 0-0 as I struggle to drive and read the live updates from the BBC Sport website. Lawro has predicted a 2-0 to Cardiff (what a huge surprise – he went to a school that never counted higher than 2).

We hit the Church. 20 minutes gone on the game. We stand for another 19 minutes in the line for the calling and I see the second dead body of my life. Drew Stewart was a 81 year old Vet who everybody loved. The chuch is packed, so much the line has to be disbanded to get the show on the road. I am sitting in a Church for only the second time in a year. Carlton Cole scores. Amen.

The Queen and Obama are supporters - why not God?

Lexi, our 2 year old ‘wunderbabe’ decides the church atmos is a little to quiet and pumps up the volume. Jill takes her out and I stay. I have a family member on one side and a stranger on the other. A dead guy in a flagged draped coffin is 10 feet in front of me and we singing ‘Amazing Grace’. We pray. It is actually really moving and I feel God’s eye on me as I check the score on an iPhone cleverly placed between leg and coat. Eventually I see the light. God doesn’t want me to spend time here worrying about the score, he wants me to join the other and celebrate the life of a good man. So, I do it – just let go and trust things will be ok. After a quick prayer for family and club the show is over. Mark Noble scores. It’s over and all is well in a Kingdom of Green Street.

Part 3  FA Cup 4th Round Weekend...

It’s a great weekend for the Hammers: we don’t play. Having lost at home to Pard’s lot, the chance for a 2 week gap and loads of returning players (to fitness) and a couple of –eye-talians we’ve picked up might shed a ray of hope. City finished us off like a crème brulee with a 0-3 defeat at home – 0-9 on aggregate. FA Cup time. Watford were so very close to a real upset and I am annoyed because my “Man Utd getting nothing and Man City winning everything – serves you right Fergie and Coco” attitude has fallen like a house of cards. Watford really had no chance. No one does. Given a finite number of great players and the fact that a handful of teams in each countries European league can afford to have squads of 40+, there really are not many other players available for the rest. Man City’s coach, Pelicangreedy doesn’t want to let his 4^th choice center-back, Lescott, go to the Irons. I guess he is worried a meteorite is going to take out his first choice defenders and he’ll have to resort to JL and a dustbin to keep out Elton’s north London army. It’s depressing. Talk, a few years ago, was of the possible shift of 4/5 English teams to a European League leaving the rest of us to contend for national and local pride. It would really only take Arsenal out of West Ham’s range, and let’s face it, Spurs would stay in England as they are like a hailstorm – very short and with insurance, you’re covered. Is losing the top teams a good thing? I always thought so, but when City turn up and reduce everyone to dust I am not so sure. If UEFA really had the balls to move back to a previous decade we could limit the number of European players and also the non-english ownership of clubs. It goes against European law, yet makes sense. After my curiosity re the US system of draft selection and salary capping in the US, I really think it has some mileage. Who wants to support a team who always lose unless they are in a league they can win, because no one cares. Sounds a bit like the life of a Millwall, or dare I say it, a Shrimpers (Southend Utd) supporter. 

 

2014? Well, let’s see. The Irons have picked up a couple of lads. Get Winston back and I’m in church each week now. Amen.

Footnote. Coco has a passenger for his clown car...

Christmas Pudding, Big Sam and Farewell Fergie

Us English love Christmas Pudding. Given we only eat it once a year, it becomes ever so more precious. Why pudding? The less you eat it the more you appreciate it. I’m tired of complaining Hammers supporters. Try living over the pond. Now, some of many benefits of living 4,000 miles away from Upton Park include:

• You start to realize there are a finite number of Hammers games you get to live for.
• The only Spurs supporters over here are actually nice.
• You don’t have to sit in a pub with 70 odd miserable England fans complaining again and again
• People away from England, who like football, are actually interested in a club with history.
•  If you have a WHU tattoo people think you were consulted in the filming of Green Street Hooligans. 

  

  Who are ya, who are ya...!

It’s been a tough new year for the Irons and the regulars are swinging the lead and demanding change. Interestingly, the entertaining owners, Gold and Sullivan, have put their faith in Big Sam, despite a rock bottom defeat at the hands of a slightly above average Championship team, Forest. Losing to potential Premier League relegation fodder added fuel to the fire for many supporters given the result, number of youth players selected and the lack of support for the youth by the seniors on the field. Villa’s Lambert questioned the usefulness of the FA Cup and subsequently was handed a well deserved defeat in the third round. Comparing Villa with West Ham is simply wrong, but it suits the media to do so, and some supporters. Interestingly,  a formal description of a “supporter’ includes these words” 

advocate, advocator, apostle, backer, booster, champion,expounder, espouser, friend, gospeler (or gospeller),herald, hierophant, high priest, paladin, promoter, proponent, protagonist, exponent, true believer, tub-thumper, white knight

تأتي على المدينة

Given the comments on the WHU facebook page it looks like Thatcher’s Britain is well and truly alive – and the traditional East London “underdog” spirit is long gone. Bottom line, if you don’t like it, don’t pay the money to watch it. Getting your pounds back after a poor performance? Go support a team that can buy success, like Manchester City. You’ll be happier in the long run.

OK. Let’s move on. Here’s an inadequate summary of 2013.

- Ferguson Retired.

- Ferguson writes and publishes a book in which he slags off everyone good and proper.

No, its ok. Hang on, no, it hurts....

- West Ham spend £15 million on a player only slightly fitter than Darren Anderton.

- The Special One returns.

- England qualify for the FIFA 2014 World Cup in civil war / stadium collapsing Brazil.

- West Ham beat Spurs, away in both League and Cup Quarter Finals.

- Moyes takes over at Old Trafford, hands his replacement Martinez, an away win.

- David Coleman dies – Tremendous loss to Sport

- Eusebio dies. Tremendous loss to World Football

- The BBC continue to only report on clubs that helps sell their advertising worldwide.

And, here is an irresponsible and inaccurate summary of 2014.

-  Arsenal win the League

Sea-Sea-Seasiders....

-  Southend win the FA.Cup but survive Millwall fans in a ‘Escape from New York’ scenario.

-  West Ham win the League Cup, but the FA award it to Manchester United as they feel sorry for them.

-  Belgium win the World Cup.

-  Palace, Spurs and Villa get relegated.

-  No one comes up from the Championship – they are all crap.

-  Moyes is given a knighthood for simply being ‘ferguson number 2’

Hubba waa,,?

-  Moyes is given the keys to the cities of Dresden, Lima and Canvey.

-  Wayne Rooney returns to the planet from which he came.

-  Moyes is the last man on earth following a virus outbreak, lives with his dog outwitting virus ridden zombies and then sacrifices himself to create and protect an antidote for civilization.

        That’s right David. ‘I follow Legend”