West Ham Till I Die
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Guest Post

Nine Points Over Christmas Is Not Impossible

Guest Post by Jimmy Cooney Jr.

Good stuff Rapid, and, belated kudos to Hamburg (hope ur feeling better), and a thanks to all contributors to WHTID, Everyone adds their own flavour, and I’d like to say Happy Holidays to all.

The reoccurring theme in the last few articles that I agree with, is no matter your feelings on the rebranding, move, etc, is forming unity and understanding between the “generation gap” for lack of a better term, is crucial if West Ham is to thrive. (And perhaps, survive.)

Obviously, mistakes have been made that cannot be taken back, and I do resent that I was led to believe that it would be more or less seamless (I didn’t expect West Ham to win the Top Flight this year, or next or even 5 years), but I was fooled in how much the original identity of the club was in jeopardy, and it’s history being disgracefully brushed aside. There was no need for the media circus that was “StrikerGate” and if they had it to take back, I bet Slaven does NOT let James Tomkins go, or does James want to, (depending on which side one believes). I could be wrong, but I’d doubt it.

However, beyond the move, perhaps there was some hubris and overconfidence during the off season, a poor transfer, and injuries are much more to blame than the move, in my humble opinion. Yes, unfortunately there were and still are concerns regarding safety and the “hooligan element”, at the London, but all these things can be worked out. Still, West Ham’s work is cut out to try to finish safely and more preferably, comfortably. I believe there is enough quality to survive as is, but I’m not sure there’s enough on either end to finish comfortably, and that’s gonna take some hard work, luck with fitness, a clever move or 3 in January, perhaps, and positive results.

The other message that I think is important, a big factor in survival is going to rest on a bit of harmony, even if you disagree with someone who is boycotting, try to respect that they have probably been going since 1958, and need their voices heard. They have just watched something that has been a part if their lives basically wiped away like so much spilled tea. However, it’s not the fault of the younger or foreign support who may know the modern game better in the first person, as it is due to lottery of birth, and are not necessarily plastic, or fanboys, it’s just definitely a case of "The Times, They are a Changin’. And honestly, there is nothing like an English top flight League match. Especially a Derby.

That being said, I think getting behind the team is very important, in social media, let’s be civil in disagreement, and constructive in criticism, have respect for the word of the true soldiers that travel every bloody week, home and away, over land and sea, and pay their hard earned wage to afford season tickets. Urge the players on the best you can, not tear em down, if they arent contributing, say “kick it up, or kick it on” Recognise that enough on this squad still have enough respect for themselves, if not the Crest to try to turn the second half around.

It’s gonna be a challenge (I’ve been around WHUFC long enough to know that),but unity, thru the highs and the lows, which will probably be many and exciting, is the only to way to save this club is to stick together, share ideas, and most importantly, come up with solutions.

No, I’m not from born and raised within the sound of the “Bow Bells”, but I am from a similar working class ethos in my local professional sports collectives, West Ham’s history, is one of the biggest reasons I chose to follow West Ham once following regularly, even from an armchair. I do admit, the atmosphere at the Boleyn was a thing that cannot be replicated, and words for me come hard to describe, but once thing was for certain, you were at a PROPER English football match, and if you want to experience English culture, go to a football match. Plus due to some belief to the contrary, I’m smart and experienced enough to “understand” and can empathise with enough to know that some of what the video message to the board, was spot on.

Best wishes for a Grand and Healthy Holiday for all, and 9 pts in the next 3 is not impossible (unlikely) but not impossible.

COYI!!!

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