West Ham Till I Die
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Crunch time

Bar the 4-0 win in the League Cup in 2010 (one of the only bright spots during that disastrous season under Avram Grant), it has been a while since we beat Manchester United at the Boleyn. The last time, in December 2007, was a memorable one: Anton scoring against his brother; and that Matthew Upson goal, which still – every time I watch it – seems to be an almost impossible header, looping up and down and perfectly hitting the top corner. A Payet of a header. (That was also our third win against Manchester in a row in the league).

There have been near misses along the way in beating Manchester United in the league at home since then: during the Grant reign, we were 2-0 up only to lose 2-4. I always thought we might get something against Moyes’ men, but we didn’t – home or away. And even away from home we’ve been unlucky: earlier this season, a 0-0 draw that could have been a win if it had not been a moment of shocking wastefulness by Mauro Zarate.

Near misses – a summary of some of our recent matches. In the grand scheme of this season, they do not bother me much for this year cannot turn sour – even if tomorrow night does not go to plan. First thing’s first: it’s been an amazing season – made even better because of the unpredictability of the league as a whole and the possibilities of what smaller clubs can do: how they can challenge the big guns. It will be interesting to see whether that will continue next year: with Guardiola and Conte coming in, next year there will be a plethora of personalities to challenge Ranieri and Bilic’s limelight.

Yet near misses there have been: Crystal Palace, Chelsea, Arsenal and Manchester United in the original tie. All had refereeing disasters but all had that same familiarity: when we were on top, we did not bury it.

And that is why it’s crunch time. For me, this could be the game to really send a message: that when we are in form and dominating a game, we can close the match. The Tottenham game on Sunday was how it should be: we know tomorrow will be tight, and if anything van Gaal has more at stake: this could determine whether he stays or goes – and his team have shown a capacity to bounce back from disappointing results. But the Spurs match showed that – just like Andy Carroll scoring three goals in seven minutes – you can score a similar number against this United squad and kill of the game. Unfortunately for us, our poor defending meant three goals in seven minutes did not kill off the game. But we know we can do it and we know it is possible against this Manchester team.

Just as Payet is clinical with free kicks we need to be clinical when it comes to finishing off our chances: there were so many times when we broke against Arsenal, taking advantage of their clumsiness and pressing hard. But in recent weeks that killer edge has been lacking and we have only ourselves (and the referees) to blame.

Crunch time and that killer edge: we have already given the Boleyn a good send off with such a brilliant unbeaten run – as well as banished some demons at Anfield and Goodison. Let’s end our disappointing run against United at the Boleyn by grabbing a win that sends the Boleyn singing off into the night.

Both teams have everything to play for: them for some pride at the end of a season that offered so much; us, for the history of the Boleyn on its last FA Cup night and for a season that was not meant to offer so much. Both clubs have it all to play for. It’s crunch time. But we have lit up the league this season and provided some of its best moments. They have bored their fans and the neutrals, they have cluttered their squad with money and not passion. This should be ours.

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West Ham Till I Die is a website and blog designed for supporters of West Ham United to discuss the club, its fortunes and prospects. It is operated and hosted by West Ham season ticket holder, LBC radio presenter and political commentator Iain Dale.

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