Admittedly this one’s been on the backburner for a few weeks. Other subjects have popped up when considering what to write about for the weekly column – taking precedence over the subject. As the weeks have gone on, however, more incidences of bias have occurred to pique my interest.
The original idea for this piece was stirred by my inability to discover video content of a game, or build up to a game rather, that I have fond memories of. Why can’t I find footage of West Ham fans paying tribute to George Best? One of the proudest nights I can remember, being a supporter of our great club, was the West Ham versus Manchester United fixture immediately after the passing of the talented Irishman. Following Sir Trev’s intro to hear Sir Bobby Charlton pay tribute to the Hammers faithful, commenting that he ‘was not at all surprised’ at the impeccable respect and appreciation shown for one of the game’s ‘best’ ever players warmed the cockles of my heart. All I could find on the match was the following video which, sadly, shows nothing of the tributes our club paid other than warm, enthusiastic applause. A tearful Pat Crerand is shown which was another moment of that evening which has stuck in my memory.
Then a couple of weeks ago I read, once again, that football history didn’t exist before the Premier League began. I commented on this site in response to it. Many great things have happened since the inception of the Prem, including the drawing in of more fans and the fact that it’s now safer to take your family to games, but the Football League has a deeper and far longer history than the 26 year old Premiership. A fact that many of today’s commenters on the game seem to dismiss often when quoting statistics.
The papers, radio, television and on-line media do a great job in this country. We should be grateful that large institutions are brought to book by their effective reporting. It’s not like that in every nation on the planet. But checks and balances should also work to rein in the agendas of some sections of the press.
Personally I like to read the comments from sites like this one as you’ll, generally, get a good balance of views of the sport. An article will stimulate a thread and opinions then facts and figures pour forth. We all see things differently which adds further spice to the mix. Unlike so many sections of the media that are influenced in one way or another there’s a freedom to express yourself, in a non-abusive and civilised way, here which is coupled with the right of reply.
Journalism, in written, spoken and video form, is a noble and essential part of today’s society. Those that seek to use it to ‘make opinion’, however, must realise that people are better informed and not so easily fooled. Bringing that back to the incredible game of football that we all witnessed early on Saturday afternoon I feel that there are elements of the press that are, to a degree, hounding the Manchester United manager at present. One sniff of blood and a few seem to be going for the jugular. Like him or not you can’t argue with Jose Mourinho’s record. He worked miracles at Porto and, since then, has an incredible record. Yes, sometimes he’s his own worst enemy with the comments he makes, but I’m not sure he deserves the extra pressure that’s being brought to bear. Speaking to one Manchester United fan while taking the, time consuming, walk from the underground to the stadium on Saturday, he commented “Fergie didn’t get rid of him (Pogba) for no good reason,” and seemed to side with the gaffer from Portugal. It is clear that their fans want to see a more attacking brand of football played. Under the pressure that he currently is you do wander how long Jose has to put things right. Like any other club all it will take is a few wins and that pressure will subside.
On the game itself I can only add my own pure, unadulterated joy to what’s already been written. It was the first match that I’ve gone to with my younger son, the older one joining me for the Wolves game, using the ST. The younger one is more of a football fan, and more of a keen spectator, than the older lad. I have apologised to him for nearly bursting his eardrums. When my voice went in the 7th minute I think he was thankful but, oh, what a magnificent game to watch as a West Ham fan. The balance of the team is working well and we seem to be improving with every game. Mark Noble oozed class. We were better than Manchester United in every department and I get the feeling that there’s even more to come. With more to return from injury like Lanzini, Carroll (I know), and Reid the squad is going to get stronger and a top half finish increasingly likely. As always I want to see us win things so victory against the Spudz in the League Cup on the 30th October should be a priority as it will give us a chance of going all the way in the League Cup. I hope Manuel Pellegrini sets his team up strongly to achieve the win.
Exciting times fellow hammers. Let’s hope that history shows this one to be a great season for the club we all adore – whatever they end up writing about it.
COYI! West Ham 4 The Cup!