Mr Dale is right. Our transfer deals were blinders and personally I can’t wait to see Alex Song playing again. He’s an exciting player, always energetic, physical and somehow manages to cross great distances so he seems to be in several places at once. Blinders aside, I can’t help thinking that the transfer deadline is a relief and marks the start of the season proper. Endless speculation that means football columns bear more resemblance to a bookies’ board can stop and we can focus on the game. The window shopping and wish lists go and we get on with what we’ve got. That looks like a pretty solid squad or as Bilic may say a busload of talent and potential. What’s with him and buses? I watched his interview after Anfield several times to see if repetition would make it more comprehensible but frankly, after that historic victory, I don’t care if he’s using reruns of On The Buses and a poster of Reg Varney to get them playing like that.
Several commentators praised the West Ham composition on Saturday – the dictionary definition is putting together of parts into a whole. That’s a pretty fair summing up of a team that played almost effortlessly together, in tune and attuned to each other, the opposition and the opportunities. A brilliant game and a terrific result, almost incredible after our previous two matches. There wasn’t a poor player on the pitch for us and indeed, many were outstanding but I would single out Aaron Cresswell who showed again what an important player he is – I remember the first time we saw him. The aforementioned Mr Dale and I were astounded that such talent had been ours to snap up from Ipswich.
So, good new signings, a brilliant result and as the late Ian Dury sang , reasons to be cheerful.
And yes, we fans are as fickle as the weather and I‘m sure managers, chairmen and players get used to love and hate in equal doses. Let’s hope they’re basking in our collective love this week. I just hope Bilic’s enigmatic comments about buses isn’t a veiled reference to coaches required for winning only away. But if it is then tickets please and all aboard the Hammers rollercoaster.