When Sam Allardyce admitted to the pre-Swansea press pack that he’d turned down the chance to sign Wilfried Bony in favour of Andy Carroll I feared the worst. Football always has that not-so-funny knack of making a fool out of you, rubbing salt in your wounds, proving you wrong, forcing you to endure goals from your biggest rivals or, often worse, your former players. It knows how to say ‘I told you so!’ and it’s not afraid to say it. Lo and behold up pops Bony and it’s one nil Swans. Have that Sam!
Twitter exploded. Now of course I wasn’t particularly happy either, and I did waiver in my belief for a moment but that is every fan’s God-given right. It’s a stressful, unstable business being a Hammer. What I didn’t do was chirp up in Tweetville effing and blinding, cussing and blustering, slamming Sam and cursing Carroll. I find all that so embarrassing. Why go down that road so early? Have they not seen the recent exploits of the West Ham comeback-kings in action? There was still time! It wasn’t like the Ivorian had just scored his fourth and AC hadn’t had a touch of the ball all game. Oh ye of little faith! There they were, the blasted bitter brigade, spewing forth bile and vitriol…they KNEW it would be ever thus. They KNEW Carroll was two bob. They KNEW Allardyce was completely clueless.
Or did they? Because here comes football again, showing you up, calling you out, mugging you off.
Boom, the big man equalises. Bang, let’s make that two shall we?
Cue the biggest ever mass back-up since Y2K. A few hastily deleted tweets, a couple of ‘I take it all backs’ and all is right with the world once more. The West Ham juggernaut powers on.
Of course the much-maligned Carroll still has a lot to do; two goals aren’t enough to see off the doubters completely. A lot of time, energy and cold hard cash has been invested in the giant Geordie and he needs to stick a few more away before he can prove what he is capable of and fulfill that oft-discussed potential of his. I really hope he can do it. He has always threatened to be a potent string to our bow and there’ll be no-one happier than I to see him achieve it. Actually scratch that. Did you see Sam’s celebrations? The joy was obvious but you sensed more than a dash of relief there. He’d lumped a lot on that gamble. Financially, professionally, personally. His reputation has been at stake since Carroll was crocked but fortunately the risk has finally started to pay off. Well, it paid off that day. It needs to pay off again, and soon. Damocles’ sword doesn’t disappear with a couple of finely placed headers. We like what we see in the arena and the thumbs are certainly up but we want more!
What a team we now possess though. For the first time in a VERY long time there’s a chance that we could do something special. It really does call to mind the spirit of ’86 and I was lucky enough to meet some of my childhood idols this week at the Awaydays legends dinner. It was a terrific night and I felt blessed to be able to talk about that spectacular season with the guys who made it possible. And, we all agreed, we’re now experiencing something distinctly similar.
The quality is evident right the way through the squad. The goals look like they can come from anywhere but the strikers in particular look lethal. Phil Parkes calls it the McAvennie and Cottee effect. Valencia isn’t shy in front of goal, Sakho is dynamite with both feet, and both our new forwards have shown AC he’s not the only one in the side with devastating aerial ability.
We’ve got pace, quick passing and movement, the team work tirelessly for each other (even Nolan is clocking up more miles than a frequent flyer) and, when we need to, we can bypass the opposition midfield in an instant and go direct. There’s nothing wrong with that. Diafra’s contribution on Saturday may have been straight out of the route one text book but didn’t he take it beautifully?
The spirit and togetherness in the current team is obvious. The camaraderie amongst the ‘boys of 86’ is still as strong as ever. It was a pleasure to witness. The stories were eye-watering, the language was colourful and you just know some of the stuff they got up to was not for the faint-hearted. Tony Cottee said they are all grateful there were no camera phones back in the day!
When I asked George Parris whether that achievement could ever be replicated he said in a flash…’YES! Why not? Once you get that winning habit it’s not easy to lose.’ Of course he admits it’s unlikely. It would be a far greater achievement in the modern era, but they are all praying it happens again. Or at least something equivalent. A place in Europe would be a start, or a good cup run. We’ve got to win at Goodison one day. Why not now??
What I do know is…it’s proving to be one hell of a ride. Long may it continue. Oh, and if the Mackems score first today…keep it shtum until the final whistle hey? It’s never say die from now on. You know it makes sense!
Come On You Irons!!!
B x
PS Please watch my Boys of 86 feature on Soccer Saturday this week. It’s pretty damn good! If i do say so myself…