Having seemingly blown three points, West Ham came back with a stoppage time winner yesterday, putting their fans through the emotional grinder in the process. Quite how the manager and staff are coping with the pressure of a protracted relegation campaign I do not know – but from a supporter’s point of view it is exhausting.
Of course it is why we all love our sport and our club but the drama that unfolded in a few minutes on a Saturday afternoon was more than enough to handle – especially as most fans had to sit and listen on the radio thanks to the anachronistic 3pm tv blackout.
Like being back in the ‘1970’s. Most fans had to listen the the drama unfold on the radio. Surely time to end this pointless 3pm TV blackout.
As the bbc.co.uk described it:
“For any fan who has gone through a relegation battle supporting their club, it is an experience that can significantly age you.
The whole process can see you experience a range of emotions over the course of a few weeks, but West Ham supporters lived through it all in one dramatic second half.
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You are telling me. Try writing about it at the same time. I met a friend of mine last week, a Spurs supporter, and keeping the conversation ‘safe’ whilst (of course) ardently hoping the other’s team failed, all we could do was commiserate with the other over the relentless emotional tension we were both suffering through as the season reaches its finale.
Thirty four down, four to go.
And there’s another month to go.
West Ham fans will be feeling a little more upbeat than their north London counterparts I suspect, having lived most of the season, seemingly, within the bottom three. As a Hammers supporter, with the team sitting in 17th, two points above the drop zone, there is almost a feeling of being ‘let out of jail‘ wheres for the Spuds there is new doom and gloom that has only very recently started to sink in.
Next weekend then. More ‘must win’ games. And the best bit? West Ham play first. Which is fine as long as we contrive somehow to steal another three points from Brentford.
Going to be a long week.