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.
Jealousy because Redknapp isn't adored by UP faithful? Bitter because the youngest Lampard (coincidentaly nephew of Redknapp) isn't worshipped by the fans? Surely ole Harry's above that isn't he?
Well put Iain. Tevez shows respect that's all, Lampard has taken every opportunity to insult us in the press since he left us. Has no-one told Saggy Chops that respect has to be a two way thing?
So Redknapp is upset because Tevez is respectful to his former club? Hmm…way to be classy 'Arry.
Tevez all day long!
When Hairy Redneck left West Ham he thought he would be adored by us forever and thought he woudl always hold a place in our hearts! How wrong could he be! He is a selfish, 2-faced idiot! He is an average manager and he is jealous that Teves got the love at Eastlands!
That is something he will NEVER get from us again and rightly so!
His son AND nephew are twats too! lol
Twitcher is strictley mercenery,Tevez has respect
I will never forgive him… sold Rio Ferdinand and started the rot that ultimately lead to our relegation for a wheelbarrow full of cash. Look at how many players he has signed twice (or even thrice) subsequently. Dodgy? No! A more disloyal,selfish man it is not possible to meet and ultimately useless as a manager. H is a wheel-dealer. Gary Charles… enough said. Ask a Portsmouth fan what they think of H. and loyalty. He is a disgrace and has no right to comment on Tevez… but then again, he is getting paid for it.
And as far as keeping Spuds in their "current false position in the league" it won't happen! I give them 8th at Xmas!
My body slightly tingled when Tevex held his hand up. I love Tevez, and want him to do very well, and as zola said he is a true gent. I would give my left leg to have him back here one day, although i think it is best we never have him back lol. Good luck Tev!
edz – spector already donated his left leg but got double crossed. don't go there, son
tevez. legend.
redknapp. tit
lol. classic!
Things I've learnt about West Ham today.
According to The Time West Ham are all but relgated.
Chamakh & Toni will be West Ham players by the end of the week if not end of the day.
Jeff Winters thinks it should have been 3-2 to City Monday night. From where I was at Eastlands I think 2-2
The Mirror can write a good story about West Ham
Tevez is a great professional.
Who is redknapp?!!
Redknapp is just a joke, look at his track record. Every club he's managed have gone into financial meltdown soon as he leaves,Bmth, us, pompey, saints, pays wages way above what the club can manage, only positive hopefully we'll get out of this is that hopefully he'll screw the spuds un all, and his bloody son is a nause, can't bare to listen to him talking utter bollocks on sky, have to turn the sound off.
JUst out £25000 fine and suspended 2 match ban
Ironically to be posted here with Iaian new article
Carlos Tevez 1
Adebayor 0
Rednapp red card
Lol!!
That was for Adebayor FA charge
It shows how to respect your old clubs fans when it comes to celebrations
live long and prosper CT
I love tevez and to be honest i agree with most of you that redknapp is jealous. but i have lost 1% respect for tevez, seeing as how he left man u to join man shitty! (like west ham to millwall!) but then i will always say his transfers are handled by choorabchian. who is MUG!!! apart from that redknapp is just a big spoilt kid and love tevez for his respect!!!
coyi!!!
I think the Harry v Tevez debate is the easiest in the world . .
One Hand
Player plays his heart out and even though there was trouble at the club and some of his team mates didnt feel the same – was a major part in us staying up.
After he left he continued to show us respect by his possitive comments in the press and on his return to UP.
CLASS
If I was an agent of a player leaving a club I would use Carlos Tevez leaving West Ham as the perfect example of how to handle the situation & Frank Lampard as the perfect example how not to do it!!!!!
Other Hand
Someone who has walked out of so many clubs and left them in the poo
Rights a column for Sun newspaper
Nephew said "I want to score the goal to relegate West Ham"
Celebrates like he won the World Cup when Spuds scored at UP
NO CLASS
Superb post bryanto! Bang on fella!!:)
Harry only does it for the money no longer does anything without cash if his mates could see what that man has become they wouldn't be turning in their graves they'd be spinning
Harry has dissapeared up his own ego
Carlos Tevez B)
Harold who?
WHat is the point of this post??? lol!
Do you REALLY think anyone is going to choose that fat tosser over Tevez??
What is the point of this post??? lol!
Do you REALLY think anyone is going to choose that fat tosser over Tevez??
Matt, the point of the blog is not to hold a popularity contest between the two nor to abuse Redknapp. The point is follow up on the themes in ‘Is Respect a One Way Street’ about the relationship between fans and players in the modern game!
It poses the question, why do the fans respond differently to Tevez than certain other players and what does it tell us. I thought it would be interesting to have this discussion within the context of Harry’s take on the fans view of Tevez.
Alternatively, you could take it off in another direction, like CH, and question whether Tevez’s response is calculated or not? I hope that clarifies the intent of the post?
It doesn't matter how long someone is at the club, if the fans have dubbed him a west ham hero, then so be it.
Lol I think Harry Rednapp is on this blog! Or at least a Spuds fan! All of our 'Thumbs Up' have gone to ZERO! lol
That'll teach us! Hahahaha
There you go Matt, I've just given everyone a thumbs up!
LOL thanks for that! And one for yourself! lol
Hahahahaha that gane against Arsenal was a pretty expensive one for Adebayor!
Matty, As you said in above post
RESPECT
which is more than Adebayor has got
LOL!!
Ade will never have respect from anyone all the time he acts like the ignorant twat that he is!
He'll be off from Citeh soon and they'll hate him too!
Personally I have little time for either Tevez of Harry. Tevez is very good at endearing himself to the fans and Redknapp is a wind up merchant.
Redknapp constantly looks to upset clubs and unsettle players so he can sign the on the cheap. He even gets his mouthpiece of a son to chip in on Sky Sports.
I still cant understand how 'Arry gets away with his antics when Chelski get banned from signing players for 3 windows. I am sure their appeal will consist of just 2 words "Harry Redknapp"
Hahahaha! I was waiting for your input on Tevez! lol!
Sorry mate but you have to go out on a limb and pick one!
Tough because I think they are both a couple of mercenary gits and while Harry is right about Tevez not being a WestHam legend but wrong about everything else.
Thats about as close as I can get to making a clear choice between them.
Arsenal have just celebrated 13yrs with AW
we have had GZ for 13mths
do you think he will still be with us in 12yrs time
I hope so (he said optimistically)
Respect for yor old players and past managers if they are any good
LOL!!!!
If Zola i still with us in 12 years time, he better not be playing this bloody 4-3-3! lol
No 1-5-5
Nice one MattRyan.
Lumpolard was a good player that got games because of his dad (assistant manager) and uncle (Redknapp manager)when he should have been dropped as a kid. So it's Harry's fault we all hate Lumpolard.
Lumpolard then went on to make it clear he wanted out and used his dad's and uncle's firing as an excuse to get out. How could he possibly play for another manager? Yeh right, he just wanted out and did it without any respect for the fans. That's why he isn't popular Harry!
Running around like headless chickens
Oh they do that now
HAHA
I have absolutely no respect for what Harry says or does – he is totally a mercenary! That business between Portsmouth and Southampton! But why single out any one point in time or incident? The guy is a money grabber with no loyalty! Tevez – the total opposite and I agree he played his heart out for us and gave 110%. It was a rare pleasure to see his skills at UP and you can see when he plays here how much it means to him the respect he has earnt from us hammer fans. In my books there is nothing wrong in endearing yourself to the fans – it is how you deal with it that counts and what you give back that shows you what cloth you are cut from.
I dont think Tevez deserves the term Legend as a WestHam player. When you talk about legends you have to talk about players who not only played well for the club but also put their love of the club above personal gain. DiCanio could have gone to any club including ManU but he chose to stay at Upton Park and he did so without using the interest of other clubs to beat the board over the head with wage demands.
Tevez was an important player for us for half a season but thats it as far as I am concerned. Some fans will, wrongly in my opinon. credit him with keeping the club up but likewise the arrival of Tevez and Mascherano caused a lot of problems without which we would probably never flirted with relegation that season.
If Tevez chooses not to celebrate scoring against us then so what? He is not the first player to show respect for a former team, I remember Marlon Harewood refusing to celebrate scoring against Forest when he joined us and he didnt feel the need to make a big deal out of it.
In my opinion calling Tevez a legend cheapens the term and is an insult to true Hammers legends
Now that, CH, is a top post and a very well put argument. I have a huge fondness for Carlitos and an abject disregard for Twitcher Redcrap but, dispassionately, I find it very hard to argue with any of the points you make here. People are way too lax with the superlatives these days, eh? Hammers legend he ain't
Headmaster I tihnk a lot of this is down to the journalists who are too quick to build players up in order to satisfy people demands for instant satisfaction.
You must be wrong there CH!
A judge decided that Tevez single handedly kept us in the Premiership and he has to be a legend under that definition! It's law now.
Another brilliant post SJ. I wish that it could be broadcast to every single fan in the country so that they could better understand West Ham fan's response to returning ex-players instead of brand us "Out of Order" for voicing our opinions on those who've stabbed us in the back. Cut us do we not bleed?
Thank you Gav, I like the quote from The Merchant of Venice, by the way. Like Shylock, lets hope that our club’s detractors do not get their pound of flesh come May!
Nope – Reckon they may be outsmarted. Not a drop of blood allowed.
Nope – Reckon they may be outsmarted. Not a drop of blood allowed. It's about time someone, or some professional body, took a (so called) footballing authority to task in the courts.
Tev has officially been inducted into the WH Hall of Fame (Mine anyway) but I am still a big fan of Harry.
I make him the best buyer and seller of a player and rate him third in the current list of Premier League managers.
As Matt said, this is a pointless thread due to the oneway traffic., but thought I'd risk a verbal kicking anyway.
For the record, here's my top 10 Prem Managers' list in order
1: Fergie.
2: Wenger
3: Harry
4: Moyes
5: Ancelotti
6: Hodgson
7: Rafa
8: Bruce
9: O'Neil
10: Zola
You'd have Rafa that high up? I'd like to see where Bruce, O'Neil and Zola would be if they'd had £50m a year to buy players for 5 years on the trot and then complain about how tough it is when it's pegged back top £20m!
You'd have Rafa that high up? I'd like to see where Bruce, O'Neil and Zola would be if they'd had £50m a year to buy players for 5 years on the trot and then complain about how tough it is when it's pegged back to £20m!
Well put SJ , the thing that annoys Harry is that he is not regarded as a legend, he cant understand that everyone at West Ham knows exactly what he got up to when he was here, never putting the club first just HR.
Players with class and manners have always been welcome when they returned, the ones without are told!
redknapp bought di canio to us so that should be good enough BUT it aint,the man is a complete mercenary who would go anywhere for a pound note.i think he is scum,as for tevez he wasnt treated too well by the managers but the fans loved his passion and his fight for our cause and he appreciated it.thats why he is loved and redknapp and his butt kissing son on sky are not
I don't know who I hate more, Hairy Redneck or his 2-faced pretentious son!
With regard to how WestHam supporters treat returning former players I think we are one of the most decent groups of fans in the league. We have been used to losing players to bigger clubs and know that in a lot of cases the players had little or no say in what happens.
Take a players like Rio Ferdinand who made millions and won countless honours at ManUtd and gets a rousing reception when they come back to Upton Park. He spent years at the club and learned his trade with us but we dont begrudge him his success. Which is be more than can be said for Leeds fans who issued death threats to him when he went back to Elland Road, considering he spent 8years with us and stopped off for a pie and pi$$ on his way to manchester which fans treat their former players better?
Some might say that we dont have the same history with United or the same intense rivalry like we do with Chelski or the Spuds but Joe Cole, Glenn Johnson (who handed in a transfer request before the final game of the season) and even Michael Carrick get a warm response from the home crowd. the fact that Jermaine Defoe and Frank Lampard is not because of who they play for but with how they left the club and treated it afterwards.
Defoe refused to play and got himself sent off in any game where the club forced him to line out, Lampard rubbished the club in the press then stood in front of the Bobby Moore stand and kissed his chelski badge, Bellamy went on strike and refused to play unless the club transferred and Paul Ince is just a fat Eddie Murphy muppet who think's he's hard coz his cousin is a boxer.
They can hardly be forgiven for not knowing why they get the treatment they do from the fans or do they exptect to pi$$ on our necks and have us believe its raining!
I completely agree CH. Mind you the logic of our fans is sometimes hard to fathom. A lot of them had a passionate hatred for Cole and Curbs. Faubert and Neil went from being hated figures to automatic first choices on everyone's team. Neil and now Noble have now gone the other way – hero to zero. Diamanti has taken on an immediate status of hero. So did DiCanio but I well remember the times he was "injured" when a trip up north in winter was involved. He was a liability by the time Roeder came in but he'll never lose his hero status whatever he does. That's what hero worshipping and celebrity is all about but there is often little rhyme or reason to it.
The reason Redknapp is surrouned by good players, isn't because he "buys them in" it's because the players follow him from team to team! He lets them believe he wants them and that they are an integral part of his plans!
But the truth is, if they tuened him down, he would just move onto the next one!
The team he has at Spuds were either there before he took over or he stole them from Portsmouth!
His buying ability isn't particularly great! Even though some of you think he is canny! He isn't! The players he took a chance on (excluding players that have followed him from othyer clubs like lost little lambs) haven't really turned out all that great!
At least Zola is prepared to take a risk on the unknown! Ok, it doesn't always pay off but some do!
Errrrr – Can you name one Matt?
Defoe left us and who has signed him twice since then ? Harry !! There are not many players that i dislike comming back, Defoe and lampard are about it. no respect to the people who pay their wages.
Respect is earned WHEN HAVE LAMPARD OR DEFOE EVER EARNED RESPECT SINCE LEAVING? NEVER!!
Spot on Guy!
FWIW 'SJ', Tevez gets to the 'heart of the matter'. Sure, he wants to earn loads of money, who wouldn't. Pointless knocking players for being 'mercenary' – I never heard of anyone who said, "Those wages are too big, please pay me less". But his gameness [and skill] – once he got selected to play – was evident. As for 'Harry Boy', he left his 'roots' long, long ago. So for me, no contest, Tevez is more of a Hammer than Harry anyday. Pity he couldn't stay, but that's what you get selling 'exploitation rights' to types like Joorabchian….
Hahahahahahaha@Celtic!
"Paul Ince is just a fat Eddie Murphy muppet"
Hahahahaha
Bit harsh on Eddie Murphy don't you think??? lol! Not that I care cos he's a nob!
Redknapp only has love for himself, note when says – When "I" signed Rio at 14….. – yes of course Harry, cos it's always about you…. You may have been the manager when he signed professional forms at the club but did you spot him? did you scout him? did you train and develop him as a youngster? No, you got the fruits of Tony Carr and the Scouting networks labour…. so don't give us this 'tosh' that you signed him, like him being at the club had anything to do with you whatsover…. you idiot….. Lest not forget that you also sold Rio, you moron….
Note to Arry, how many millions did you give the scousers/agents for song and camara, luckily we had scouts who knew a thing or two about footy and made up for you and your agent mates occasional lunacy in the transfer market.
I am glad to see that Zavon Hines has been called up to the England U21's as a recognition for his superb form this season although I am sure the Jamican FA will be a little miffed that he has switched alligences. I guess that after missing out on Jack Collison the Englsh FA didnt want to lose out on another talented Hammers younster. Thats now 4 of the England under 21s who are WestHam players.
Not sure how long Noble will be there mate! Good on Hines though! Can't think of anyone that deserves it more!
Matt I was thinking of Sears, Stan and Tomkins, Noble is too old for under 21s now!
Oh ok mate! Yeah forgot about Sears! lol
Actuallly didn't realisew Noble was 22, I thought he was still 21!
I have to admit, I don't really follow the U21's that much! Suppose I should do really.
That’s just great, Celts. Just what we need.
Another player with potential being elevated above his comfort zone being told he has arrived before he’s even bought a ticket.
So far, Hines has showed plenty of spunk and enthusiasm. That’s the least I would expect of a kid being given a shot at the big time.
As for being superb…please don’t get too carried away.
He is a million miles from being superb, has failed to hit the onion bag on at least three guilt edges chances and is as naive as any teen should be.
I think people are in danger of seeing him as a mini messiah in a season when there is a famine of killer talent.
Horters is right to sound a note of caution in my view. potential, but no more, not yet
Horts what do you expect from the kid? He was outstanding against liverpool and made bits of Jamie Carragher, so worried did he make them that they resulted to trying to kick the crap out of him and he sitll got up and ran at them some more.
From all accounts he was very unlucky not to grab the second goal for us against Bolton which would have won the tie, I may be wrong but I think he hit the bar. He did score in the milwall game and showed maturity in focusing on his game during a very unpleasant atmosphere and was very unlucky to lose his starting place at Citeh despite really doing nothing wrong.
If he can scare the be jaysus out of a player with 400+ games for Liverpool I would think he is able to cope with under 21 international level and playing will help improve the guys game.
I'm delighted for Hines – I hope Zola has the balls to keep faith with him, instead of dropping him after an outstanding display.
I have already seen enough to tell me he will be a better player than Sears.
Yep – Just saw it on SS News.
All things being equal the lad's got an awsome future ahead.
Tony Carr never ceases to amaze me. The bloke should be knighted for services to football!!
Celtic me and you don't see eye to eye much on zola's 4 3 3 thing but I make you right,couldn't give a toss about the pair of them!
Well said Chandos – what is it with arry redface, he has just dug a huge pit for himself and the spuds faithfull next time at UP – the column was all about his poor franky lampard and the way he always gets booed – to be honest it is in bad taste especially now with our position and hearing due to be decided soon.
Talk about kick a club when they are down – come on arry get a life – nobody loves u and we don't care!!!!
I think Wenger is a much better manager the Hairy Redneck!
14 years in charge (or is it 13?) and he hasn't finished the season in a lower place than 4!
Watching Andy Johnson play for Fulham tonight you hope our defence does not go walkabout like they did on monday Bobby Z may owe the Hammers one cos as an ex-Hammer he always gets a good reception,Konchesky well his goal nearly won us the cup final.Why would Redcrapp,tevez,bilic,cottee ,ferdinand,lamparddefoe to name but a few culprits who have become mercenary gits due to the fact other clubs lured them with better wages, fact money talks bullshit walks!However Tevez played an integral part in us staying up at Old Trafford wheras the other culprit Mascherano did zilch,zero nothing and slipped into the night.Good luck to Tevez but the fact is we could not afford him and although Harry is massacred he got the sack for telling Brown he needed money to make West Ham a top side remember Di Canio and Foe we would have the makings of a top 6 side if he would have remained and retained all the mercenaries that have left or is the West Ham way accepting we dont have his ambition or reality all the owners want is a quick buck but not a quality side.Harry I feel would have recruited the best for us but Brown he was the number 1 mercenary I bet he is in a bolt hole somewhere and this man should be found and brought before the footballing crimes commission for ruining an ambitious West Ham ,GUILTY,send him down,oh I forgot he asset stripped our best and sent us down,I rest my case!
Firstly i would like to say hello every one as this is my first post. So 'hello everyone'____As for HR well what can I say. For a man that uses the word 'TOSH' so much seems to speak more of it than anyone. ____Lastly I am pleased that tevez still claims to have a place in his heart for our great club after only being there one season. Thats a great deal more than some of the players that were given the chance when they were just kids and were bought throught the ranks in our great academy.
Wenlockhammer! Welcome!
Tell us a bit about you then
I hope you come with a sense of humour and a thick skin
Matt
Cheers for the welcome geez!
I'm from Essex but now live in Shropshire through work. I am a pub manager for a chain. After serving 9 years in the Army. Been a fan since as long as I can remember, Going to games when I could since the late eighties when I was a spotty teenager.
as for the last bit. With my job history would be a hard life without either.
Dan
No probs mate!
You should look out for ShropshireHammer, you might know him! lol
GoatyGav is correct about the 'about' section, take a look, it tells you a bit about teh regulars! (not me though, I haven't written anything) lol
And Gav is a big fan of teh 'about' section! Aren't you gav!
But you won't see the moderators on there! I think HE should introduce himself as a mod myself! Don't you all agree?
Oh Yes Matt bloke. U know it! Love letting people know about myself. Favorite subject fella. lol! :*
Lol! Oh go on, tell us something! lol
What – more than I already have? Anyone visiting this site could build quite an impressive profile of me couldn't they?
And Yes – you've got me – I was most certainly more in the mod camp than the rockers. All my mates had Vespas and Lambrettas and went to the Scooter rallies in Skegness, Blackpool…….
Lol ok! I suppose!
But I was fishing for that deepest darkest secret! lol
Ok Then – How's about I freely admit that Jerry Maguire is in my top 5 favorite films of all time. In fact I'm being treated by Sky2 right this second.
Hahahahaha! Actually, not a bad film! Not my all time top 5! but watchable
Mine are:
In no perticular order:
Shaun Of The Dead (My fave)
Zoolander
Matrix (first one)
Hot Fuzz
Sleepers
Hahahahaha! Actually, not a bad film! Not in my all time top 5! but watchable
Mine are:
In no perticular order:
Shaun Of The Dead (My fave)
Zoolander
Matrix (first one)
Hot Fuzz
Sleepers
Hahahahaha! Actually, not a bad film! Not in my all time top 5! But watchable
Mine are:
In no perticular order:
Shaun Of The Dead (My fave)
Zoolander
Matrix (first one)
Hot Fuzz
Sleepers
Hahahahaha! Actually, not a bad film! Not in my all time top 5! But watchable
Mine are –
In no perticular order:
Shaun Of The Dead (My fave)
Zoolander
Matrix (first one)
Hot Fuzz
Sleepers
Welcome wenlockhammer. Good to meet you mate.
Good points all that you've made.
Would like to take the opportunity to point out the "About" section of this site where you can introduce yourself properly. You'll get a feel for the comments on there as many have shared their stories of how they got to support our Proud, Historical, Outstanding, Creative, Passionate and Breathtaking Club.
Look forward to you posting some more chap.
All the best
Gav.
I'd LOVE someone of DiCanio's callibre now! Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhh