Echoing fan comments on Claret and Hugh’s forum this morning, the electric atmosphere at London Stadium last night was highlighted by Skysports who made no secret of the fact that the former athletics stadium was bouncing as West Ham led for much of the game.
Drawing parallels with the glory days of three successive European competition seasons, the report exposed the ‘lack of atmosphere’ bemoaned by many as being one which is, unfortunately, largely self inflicted if not by the fans then by the soulless football which has been served up ever since the conference league win.
According to Sky:
‘West Ham are in the midst of a ‘tear’ in terms of points in the Premier League.
Across the last six games, they have taken 10 points – the fourth most of any team. If it wasn’t for stoppage time drama going against them against Chelsea and Manchester United, that figure would be 13. This is a West Ham team completely revamped by Nuno Espirito Santo.
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indeed as we wrote yesterday, fans appear to have responded by selling out the Stadium for the Manchester United fixture – with about 15,000 more supporters arriving than the die-hard 45,000 who made it to insipid, barren games in December.
“Despite some late swings going against them, this is a team that looks united playing in front of a fanbase that is seeing signs of survival. In the 1-1 draw with Manchester United on Tuesday night, the London Stadium rocked in the second half like it hasn’t rocked since the special European nights of three years ago under David Moyes.
*“There’s a team spirit here which they can cling on to,*” reported Sky Sports’ Chris Reidy. “The players walk around the pitch applauding the fans, there’s genuine belief they can stay up.”
It might be unlikely. But with twelve more performances like that, Nuno’s Hammers will undoubtedly save themselves. Soulless bowl and all.