Green Street Hammers
Fansided

What comes first: Fans or the players?

By Scott Johnson

LONDON, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 01: General view outside the stadium during the Premier League match between West Ham United and Wolverhampton Wanderers at London Stadium on September 1, 2018 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Stephen Pond/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 01: General view outside the stadium during the Premier League match between West Ham United and Wolverhampton Wanderers at London Stadium on September 1, 2018 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Stephen Pond/Getty Images) /
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West Ham’s stadium hasn’t been rocking so far this season. With fans being quiet and the players not doing well, who needs to turn it around first to get the atmosphere back?

I was listening to ExWhuEmployee on his podcast from the WestHamway, and I thought their conversation about West Ham fans in the stadium was really interesting. With a lot of fans moaning about the new stadium, and the players being lazy on the pitch, the atmosphere at home games is dead. But it hasn’t always been that way.

As the podcast mentioned there have been certain games where the place has been rocking. When we beat Spurs at home the stadium was all behind the team. But was that because the players were also up for it? Which one needs to come first?

The Case Against The Players

First of all I think some of the analysis after Wolves was spot on. The Hammers players didn’t look like they knew what to do, and were just wandering aimlessly. So it’s no surprise the fans, who paid to get in, weren’t exactly enthused about what they were seeing.

West Ham players throughout the ages are not always the most talented, but the legends have always given it all. They left nothing to chance and whilst the Hammers faithful may not have celebrated too much silverware over the years we were always proud of the way we conducted ourselves on the pitch. But I don’t think that’s the way now.

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We’re looking at the most expensive side in Claret and Blue we’ve ever had. Huge investment and trust has gone into this side and when we don’t see them giving everything of course there is some resentment. It needs to be so much better.

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The Case Against The Fans

I’m sick of people moaning about the stadium compared to Upton Park. It’s gone. Yes I loved the old stadium in a way I don’t think any new stadium could match up to, but what made it a special place was the people inside, not the bricks and mortar.

Modern football stadiums are, on the whole, not as intimidating as older ones, just because of the opening up to fit more people in. But there are plenty of atmospheric stadiums around Europe with running tracks, and that’s up to the fans. Eat whatever snacks you want, sit or stand but cheer your side on.

Why people are leaving the stadium with more than 10 minutes left when we’re still in the game I don’t know. If you’re going to watch a team win I don’t know why you support West Ham. You go to support your side through it all, and that needs to show.

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Both need to improve

For me, it’s not one or the other. Yes the fans haven’t lost the opening four games, the players have, and the team must get better. Or if they can’t get better they must at least try harder. Don’t come off that pitch thinking there was anything else you could have done.

But the fans need to show the team they’re still. The home matches coming up will be massive. Against top opposition and at a really crucial time. The fans have a chance to really show their voice and I hope they do, because at times there’s no equal for passion. Right now we don’t seem bothered.