The astonishing mutual respect between West Ham fans and Carlito Tevez was demonstrated once again on Tuesday night. Tevez received his usual warm reception from the travelling faithful and the player, in turn, refused to celebrate his two goals in City’s 3-1 victory. Tevez got the first of his brace in front of the Hammers fans and he seemed to be almost apologetic for scoring!
West Ham obviously still have a special place in his heart. Tevez is reported in the Daily Mail as stating:
“I’ve decided not to celebrate my goals out of respect to West Ham. They were my first club in England and, in my heart, part of me will always be a Hammer.”
“The professional part of me was really pleased with my first City goals at home but, personally, I would have preferred to beat another club. All I hope now is that West Ham improve and don’t suffer all season.”
“Their fans were always with me, even in the bad moments. When I was there some other players left the club in the January but I didn’t want to say goodbye. So I stayed there and I like to think that my goals helped them to stay up.”
“It was a very emotional time and I think the supporters were always satisfied with what I did. I hope I’ve not damaged them too much now with my two goals.”
It is good that there is press coverage of the continuing positive relationship between Tevez and the Hammers faithful. It balances up the previous coverage of their negative responses to certain other ex-players. It also reinforces my point, made in a previous blog, that respect is a two way street and that players need to be more mindful of their behaviour and personal responsibility towards fans.
However, Harry Redknapp, in his Sun column, views it somewhat differently. He questions why Tevez is considered an Hammers hero when his contribution amounted to less than half a season? He then asserts that Rio Ferdinand and Frank Lampard Jnr should be considered Hammers legends over the Argentinian folkhero of the 2006-07 season!
Well as far as I know, Ferdinand is still respected at Upton Park, as is Joe Cole, Micheal Carrick and Glen Johnson. Perhaps other less popular ex-players need to start accepting their personal responsibility in creating the poor relationship with the West Ham crowd. And this is what Redknapp, amongst others, does not seem to understand, Tevez is respected not only for his Herculean efforts in 2006-07, but also for the public respect that that he has subsequently shown the club’s supporters.
I have never doubted Tevez’s genuine warmth towards the club’s supporters. His commitment and effort on our behalf that season was awe inspiring, especially as he could have jumped ship in January 2007 or just bided his time until a summer move. He did neither, he played his heart out and fought like a lion in assisting the club to successfully stave off relegation.
The question for me is why does it bother Harry so much that the Hammers fans love Tevez and the feeling is mutual? Why does it annoy him that Tevez considers that part of him will always be an Hammer and refuses to celebrate his goals against us? What does it matter to him anyway? Indeed, one would have thought that he would have other things to occupy his mind, like keeping Spurs in their current false position in the league!
So, who gets to the heart of the matter Tevez or Redknapp?
SJ Chandos.
I've already covered this days ago on my blog.
http://theboleyninheritance.wordpress.com/?p=155&…
I think Redknapp is one of the most overrated managers to have graced our great club. I could have managed the players at his disposal better. He was responsible for buying the biggest load of dross this clubhas ever seen. In fact, if you put the worse West Ham XI together, I guarantee it would contain at least 10 of chiry Arry's buys.
I will differ on one aspect to the majority on here and that is with Frank Lampard Jr. I remember giving him some stick on the terraces for not pulling his weight (sic), but he was always going to be a decent player, just not under Redknapp.
When he left after the sacking of his Dad and Uncle, he was young and said the wrong things, we have all done it. Put yourself in his position, what would have you done?
I watch him now and he is class both on the field and off. I believe if he had published an apology to the West ham fans explaining that he had probably overstepped the mark, I believe he would get a better reception at the club.
Devo if he had signed Alan McKnight he could have had the full starting 11 and probably a few of the subs!
I agree that he is a completely over rated manager, he once said after Blackburn won the league that if you gave a chimp £100M he could buy you a title winning team. How much has Harry spent on players as a manager? I bet a few of his former clubs are thinking that Chimp might have been the better option with the benefit of hindsight!
Have to agreee with you mate!
Redknapp does well because he ALWAYS inherits a team with good players OR his lost little ssheep follow him from other clubs!
As far as Lampard is concerned, I remember him calling into James O'brien on LBC 97.3 and giving James a piece of his mind, I remember really feeling for him! (it was over the did he/didn't he kick his wife and kids out of their home thing) and since then I have tended to tolerate the guy!
Matt I met Frank Lampard in Dublin during an FA cup weekend where we had naturally going out in the 3rd round. He was with a group of other players including Rio, PDC, Razor, Moncs and others. I chatted to himself and Rio in the hotel lobby after meeting them in the night club attached to the hotel. He came across as a very decent guy, although he did sepnd a little too much time eyeing up my then girlfriend but I could hardly hold it against him.
He talked a lot about how his family were Hammers through and through and how it was his dream to play for the club. This made his behaviour afterwards unforgivable in my opinion. I actually felt sorry for him when he left and wished him well at Chelski but that lasted about as long as it took him to have a go at the club in the press.
I have to say that Rio was a complete gent and was good enough to go into the residnets bar where Razor was busy organising a card game and get autographs of some of the players for me.
I too hated him for his actions after leaving! But I do wonder to what extent he actually did say what the press reported and how much of it was filler by the papers!
If I hated everyone that made a mistake, I'd spend my life hating the world and myslef! lol! God knows I've made some awfull mistakes.
He hasn't really tried to belittle us for a long time now and I think, given teh chance he would take back everything he said.
Redneck on teh other hand, just can't help but try to slag us off all the time (allbeit in round about ways)
What the papers didnt need to make up or exaggerate was him kissing the Chelski badge in front of the Bobby Moore stand.
That was unforgivable to disrespect the memory of a player whos boots he wasnt fit to lace as a footballer or a man!
Ok, obviously that was him being a Tw*t! But I guess this is what I mean about making mistakes! He was young and stupid! We have ALL been young and stupid! Some of us grow up to be old and stupid and some of us wise up a bit!
I can't understand how so many people can get so wound up about something as trivial as Lampard's behaviour. Just ignore it. It's West Ham fans that keep this rubbish going on. He is a good player who has acted like a tw*t on occasions but most of it has been a response to our reaction to him. I agree with Matt – everybody makes mistakes. Get over it.
I just read DaCostas interview on the official site. He was very honest and said that he struggled with the pace of the game but was intent on working hard to prove himself and was very impressed with the fans.
I do think he has all the tools to be a good player for us and be it age, injury or transfer we have to have a plan B where Upson is concernced!
I hope you're right mate! What I have seen of him has been VERY disheartening!
I can see he is struggling in the EPL but right now I don't think we can rely on him to be a back up for Upson.
Matt dont under estimate the guy, he looked a bit rusty and the pace of the game troubled him initially but second half he grew stronger and showed he is an acomplished footballer. I think he will get 15 to 20 games this season and I think his improvement will be rapid rather than gradual.
Like I said mate, I hope you are right
Personally, I can see him being another Savio! All the best intentions in the world but immensely underestimating the pace and hard work needed to make it in the EPL.
But I'd love to be proved wrong
Fulham just won! But they have had to work very hard for it! Which is good for us, just a shame it;s not a Saturday game!
Redknapp who???
Are we ever going to be able to put out a strong team,I've just heard Gabbidon' and Upson are not ready and collison and Franco are injured plus sicknote's out as usual,bloody cheese's me right off,TGIFriday!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
How on earth has it come to the most important, cup final game on sunday,are things so bad,why?The build up is phenominal so a sell-out rest assured but really has our team lost belief and ability that quickly that code red is activated?It will be fascinating to watch and Fulham and excitement dont normally go hand in glove .Cant wait and hopefully our team will be ready but expectancy is high so you hope they can deliver the goods but every player hopefully will be aware of their jobs but you tend to feel that we dont have a player who can make the difference due to the confidence that is not there .I hope Diamante can be the catalyst he has the swagger we all admire and hope he portrays himself as a skilful artist that he looks,here,s hoping!
Great article SJ.
Respect is a two-way street, and the way Tevez handled the season at Upton Park, and the whole circus since has been nothing but professional, and reflects well on him personally. It does make you wonder why he's involved in any shape or form with Joorabchian, though…
Keith – Tevez's association with the dodgy Iranian car dealer is symptomatic of how things work in South America. Talented kids are picked up by guys like him at an early age and locked into contracts which sign their "economic rights" to the handler. This is why Tevez came to West Ham (he had no say in the decision). I would imagine he didn't have a lot of say in his move to Man City either. The fact that the Iranian was at the game said a lot, even if he has apparently sold the economic rights. He obviously still has a lot of influence over Tevez who has, and continues to be a good earner for him.
I don't understand why people bang on about players and managers loyalty. There is none any more. Anyone who stays at a club for a long time is not loyal, they have just not had a better offer.
For all his shortcomings, and there are many, the worst thing West Ham have done in recent years is to get rid of Harry……that's when the downward spiral of our club started, don't believe me read the facts.
And anyone who thinks we will finish (and I hate to say this) above Spurs this year with the squad Harry has put together is living in cloud cukoo land.
Oh yeah and look whats happened to Pompy since he left……average manager, I don't think so.
Remind me how much Redknapp has spent, Roshi?
Agreed, Roshi…Harry is the finished article currently at the top of his game.
I would take him back tomorrow, but obviously that will never happen. One of Harry;s skills is being able to dodge a bullet at the right time.
He got out of Pompey at the right time (twice) when he could see the financial writing on the wall and turning down Newcastle at the 11th hour was genius.
It saddens us all to see how he has galvanised the Spuds, but as much as it hurts, he has done a brilliant job.
It's hard for some people to give the man any credit due to his history with WH, but if we were truly honest I guess we all have a grudging respect for what he has done.
There aren't too many professionals who would deny his skills. Darren Bent obviously had plenty to say, but he was despatched by Redknapp for being sub-standard, so I would expect that.
A have to smile at the comments here from people who appear to confuse their interpretation of Harry's character with his ability as a coach.
I bow to their superior knowledge of how Harry conducts his business and how he operates. Obviously a lot of people have first hand experience of the machinations of a football club. I have never been so fortunate.
I know people here would never have garnered their views on how Harry operates by listening to second hand gossip or stories in newspapers. It has been made quite clear here that no-one trusts newspapers so I presume lots of people have their own informants from inside the various clubs Harry has managed.
Lucky them.
Oddjob did Tevez not show you that is not the case. not every1 is looking for the big pay day. what about Di canio he never wanted to go and is often seen at upton park and wants to manage us 1 day. i feel he loves west ham as much as west ham loves him
The difference between Zola and harry is Zola wants tobe liked by everyone but in any business it is normally the scheming,devious take no prisoner type characteristic style that normally succeed that is why it is often referred to as dirty business it is not for the feint hearted.Harry has scrapped his way to the top a sort of no-one likes me I dont care attitude but Zola typical ex-player who maybe will not know even with Clarke what to do.Tevez apart from commanding and demanding a high-class hooker,s fee for his services has also scrapped to the top but boy would we all love him sunday people only write bad comments about these 2 because of jealousy of their relevant success tall poppy,perhaps but getting to the top and staying there,Sir Alex for one,will tell you you will upset people along the way but it is the business of winning can burn many we hope come the end of the season Zola can get us top 6 and the FA CUP,GO FRANCO!
Aussie, you may be right but according to todays papers GZ is ready to scrap the 433 in favour of 442 at least for the time being and is ready to get tough until the points and postion in the league changes. We learnt our lesson against Bolton in the CC which was one of our best opportunities this year for europe and as I said on a previous post the season starts here sunday against Fulham. We will see a different team out there sunday and will win 2-0
Fulham have a number of injuries despite winning thursday.
HARRY REDKNAPP 40-1 to 5-1 to be first premier league manager gone !
Aussie…trying to find a market to lay it. Any ideas?
Sorry guys but I have always like Harry, and to call him an overrated manager is just rubbish. We don’t love him at WH because he left and now manages that north london team I can’t bring myself to name, who we all despise. Funny I don’t feel the same way about that other north londond team Arse something or other!! No-one disliked him when he was at Pompey, it wasn’t his fault that numpty TB fired him, and he has improved teams wherever he has gone just look at what he did last year and how they have started. I don’t care what you have at your disposal you still need to manage them. All this stuff about him having a go at WH is also crap, I talked to Jamie recently at a charity do both of us were at and he confirmed what I have always believed that Harry loves West Ham and the fans but the relationship had broken down with a board that were asking him to do things he couldn’t agree with>
As for Frank, who has the greater problem us for still having a go at what happened when he left the club after his uncle and father had to leave or him for moving on? I would love to have him at the club now, he’s a winner and his form for Chelsea has been nothing short of amazing and we could do with some of that. Every time we give him pelters don’t you think it also hurts his old man who is a WH legend. Frank said some silly things but then who hasn’t
Agreed, JMan…Anyone who brought PDC to WH has my lifelong thanks.
I half agree with you JMan, and HR is not a bad football team manager but he always wanted full control of the purse springs whilst at westham and the lunatic contracts he gave to below average players left us living off breadcrumbs, when he left we had a massive squad on massive wages with the crown jewels gone or going.
TB had to get rid, and TB should have gone to as he let it happen on his watch, anything that has kept Harry this quiet for so long must be pretty spectacular and one day we might find out!
As for Frankie Snr, anyone at Elland Road in 1980 will always treat him as a hero, but that does not pass on to his shirt kissing braindead offspring, Frankie "money box poodle" lampard Jnr.
Redknapp gets paid by the Sun to write a column so whatever he rights I would always take with a pinch of salt as he likely has an ulterior motive or is just scatching around for something controversial to write.
IS HARRY HEADING BACK TO WEST HAM?
Daily Mail LATEST
Bookmakers have been left scratching their heads following a surge of betting on Harry Redknapp being the next Premier League manager to leave his job.
Paddy Power had Tottenham’s Redknapp at 50/1 on Thursday night to be the next top-flight boss to go but have slashed his odds to 2/1.
Darren Haines, spokesman for Paddy Power, said: ‘There seems to be no rhyme or reason to this one and frankly its left us baffled.
‘But no matter what price we cut Redknapp to punters keep backing him – surely they don’t think he’s going to go back to save Portsmouthfor a third time?’
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1217657/Harry-Redknapp-baffles-bookies-punters-pile-Spurs-boss-leave-White-Hart-Lane.html#ixzz0SmNzTZOH
Bagpuss' price might have something to do with the current financial situation at Pompey.
He can't be backing himself, he's never heard of Betfair! xD
harry is full of shit. always has been and always will be. in a short time tevez earned our respect because he showed some back. harry was just having an earner
Arry? I have a faint memory of the man, hmm just letmethink. Was it that bloke who played and managered Hammers sometime in the last millennium and failed bringing success although having the best crop of players all time?
Who cares about him or any other failure from the past? If he still has a go against the club it´s his own personal problem not ours.