West Ham supporters can be David Moyes twelfth man this afternoon at the London Stadium for the visit of Manchester United.
The atmosphere for the first West Ham home game of the season against Leciester City was incredible and the manager will be hoping that supporters can re-create a similar type of electricity in the crowd to push on and support his players on the pitch.
The game is a sell-out and being the big game it is we would expect almost every seat to be occupied at kick-off giving no excuses for no noise.
The manager cupped his ear and grinned on Thursday evening in Zagreb to the sound of David Moyes Claret and Blue army and if he can turn over his former club today we might hear more signing of the Gaffer’s name.
However, we shouldn’t be waiting for a win just to sign loud and proud as we need to turn the London Stadium into a noisy place from the first whistle at kick off.
They come from London and the Home Counties, Manchester United supporters who live far from the North are often described as Cockney Reds.
London Stadium stewards will be on the lookout for them today with the Southern supporters of the Red Devils desperate to catch a glimpse of Ronaldo’s return in the flesh. Many are said to have purchased tickets from ticket exchange in home sections but often seem oblivious to the problems that can create.
While the wearing of Manchester United shirts and coats in the home end seems to be restricted to mostly naive tourists, the Cockney Redd will often flash their Manchester United phone covers or screen savers or only take photos of Manchester United players and there are other tale-tell signs which make them stand out.
Answering a question to Hammers United on the subject the club had the following statement to make:
All ticket purchases are subject to the Terms and Conditions of Ticketing, which stipulate that all tickets are for West Ham United supporters only â â1.2. Season Tickets are for the use of supporters of the Club only. By applying for a Season Ticket and/or using the same you hereby warrant and represent that you are a supporter of the Clubâ.
By purchasing a ticket and entering London Stadium, supporters of the home and visiting clubs are also committing to adhere to all of the points set out in the London Stadium Ground Regulations. Any visiting supporters found to be in the home sections of the Stadium will be relocated to the visitorsâ section, wherever possible, or ejected from the stadium for their own safety. This eventuality is covered in Point 18 of the Ground Regulations as â 18 Any individual who has entered any part of London Stadium designated for the use of any group of supporters to which he does not belong may be ejected from the Ground either for the purposes of his own safety or for any other reason.
The Club also takes a number of proactive steps to mitigate the risk of visiting supporters gaining access to tickets in the home section. This includes monitoring ticket sales patterns for any suspected visiting or non-West Ham United supporters, liaising with the visiting club directly, cancelling ticket purchases, and blocking the accounts to prevent future bookings. We also monitor illegal ticketing agency websites and work with our counterparts at other clubs and the Premier League to report any incidents of misuse to the authorities.
All supporters are encouraged to use our dedicated SMS reporting service on matchday to report any incidents discreetly and in confidence on 07860 404 069. This message is displayed around the ground, including in all gangways, on the concourse, inside toilets, and at Supporter Information Points, with specific reference to away fans in home areas. All text messages are received directly to the Control Room in order for our staff to monitor the situation and act accordingly at the time of it occurring.
A bespoke safety strategy is created in advance of every home match and visiting supporters in home sections is one of those elements that we consider when making preparations for the game. This also includes a pre-match meeting of all stadium partners and stakeholders, including members of the Safety Advisory Group (SAG). Members of the SAG are present on matchday and are fully aware of our processes in handling such situations. All incidents are monitored and handled in a carefully considered and proportionate manner and in accordance with Ground Regulations. Our policy is clear, that any visiting supporters found to be present in home sections will be ejected from the stadium.
Stewards are briefed to remain vigilant at all times and to prevent entry to any supporters who clearly display visiting supporters colours, however, there are occasions were supporters do not display visiting team colours prior to entry. In any case, the safety and security will take appropriate action in dealing the situation as soon as it is made known to them, either by a steward or through a supporter using the many reporting mechanisms we put in place on matchday to assist in resolving such issues.
Should any supporter witness a visiting supporter in the home section we would strongly advise that they report this immediately in any of the following ways:
Speaking to the nearest steward or steward supervisor
Speaking to the nearest Supporter Liaison Officer
Sending a text message to the dedicated SMS Reporting Service on 07860 404 069
David Moyes had a very smart comment when he was asked by a reporter whether it is ‘never a good time to play Manchester United I imagine?’Â
“I don’t know if it’s a good time to play West Ham.” the 58-year-old Gaffer replied with a smile.
The West Ham manager said he is not sure his team will change too much with his star goal-getter in Michail Antonio saying we always knew from the end of the transfer window that if we lost Michail we would need to try different things.
He admitted it would be a difficult game against one of the best teams in the Premier League and without his main centre forward but he said we will take in on the best they can and try to remain positive.
Moyes will rely on goals from Jarrod Bowen, Pablo Fornals, Nikola Vlasic and Yarmolenko with a chance that Said Benrhama could recover from a knock.
Manuel Lanizni could also be a surprise addition after getting a starting place on Thursday in the Europa League.
Reporter đŁ”Never a good time to play Manchester United?”
Moyes đŁ”I don’t know if it’s a good time to play West Ham.”
David Moyes is confident that West Ham can cope without Michail Antonio this weekend following his red card against Southampton. pic.twitter.com/w3vlq7VSnr
CandH blogger Allan Cummings gives his views on planned protestsÂ
If youâve been stuck in your vehicle corralled amongst the miles of traffic backed up on the M25 at various locations in recent days, your view of protests and protesters would probably best not be aired on a civilised, non-abuse forum like Claret and Hugh. Of course, everyone has a right to protest â to voice their grievances, state their opposition, say their piece. But thereâs a time and a place to do that â and getting the timing right is surely paramount to making your point and getting your message across for any protest.
Which is why for the life of me I cannot understand why some of our supporters would feel the time is right for continuing their historic protests against the West Ham United board. I say âhistoricâ because much of what I see they are protesting about is history itself. Our heritage ignored, our home destroyed, our community left behind â all noble phrases but with distinct references to the past â what has gone â what is behind us now â whether we like it or not. Surely itâs the future of our club thatâs most important to us all now!
There was a new protest originally planned to take place before the Manchester United game on Sunday. But thatâs been cancelled for some reason or other and moved to October and the home game against Brentford. Personally, I find it incredible that any protest right now â next Sunday or in a few weeksâ time â can possibly be seen as helpful to what David Moyes and his team are doing at this point in time for this football club. Any protest will attract attention â itâs what protests are designed to do. But by drawing attention to themselves arenât the protesters diverting attention from the team and the teamâs current achievements. Surely thatâs the last thing Moyes and his players deserve right now.
Billy Bonds is on record as saying the protests over the Bond scheme during his tenure had a profound effect on him and his players at the time. Why would he say that if he didnât believe it was true then? Is that what we want to happen again now? An unwanted diversion? The same could be said about the haphazard, ill-timed and frankly amateurishly handled âtake overâ bid. But thatâs another story.
No one would deny there have been issues with the board in the past, and for some that resentment and anger will always remain â but in recent times improvements in relations have been made, and continue. No fanbase is entirely happy with their board â itâs a football thing â fans always want more from their owners. But are staging protests when things are clearly improving, on and off the pitch, the right thing to do?
We finished a magnificent sixth in the Premier League last season. We have got off to a highly encouraging start this season. Weâve just produced a performance and a victory in Europe thatâs had fans and commentators alike drooling. Supporters of other clubs must be looking on and thinking what have West Ham fans got to protest about right now? And theyâd be right!
West Ham fans were attacked in a Zagreb bar by Croatian thugs while celebrating their Europa League win.
A group of West Ham fans continued their post-match celebrations in an Irish pub on Friday, only to be ambushed by Dinamo fans.
Video obtained by 24Stata shows the attackers, dressed all in black with masks covering their faces, rushed into the open-face bar.
One person quickly ran away as a table was sent tumbling but moments after launching their attack the Dinamo fans retreated, with both sets of supporters throwing chairs at one another.
Bottles were also used as missiles and one West Ham fan seemingly fended off the attackers single-handedly.
It appears the attack on the Irish pub was isolated with both sides mostly well behaved before and after the Europa League game.
Both sets of fans applauded each other directly after the Thursday night game.
A small number of West Ham fans were arrested in Zagreb following an incident in a local cafe on Wednesday evening before the game.
The Croatian press reported that following injuries sustained by a Croatian citizen a number of West Ham supporters were detained.
A police statement read: “Yesterday, September 15, 2021 at around 9.25 pm at the address in Zagreb in TkalÄiÄeva Street, police officers who were deployed for security work on the occasion of tonight’s match that is taking place at Stadion Maksimir noticed tensions between guests on the terrace of the restaurant followed by a fight between several people, ie visiting and home fans.
“Police officers in a timely manner, using coercive means and batons, isolated and detained four British citizens aged 23, 20, 25 and 23 who were in a group that was physically and using other objects (chairs, mugs, bottles) attacked two Croatian citizens aged 26 and 21. In the conflict, given that the 26-year-old was injured, an ambulance was called while the 21-year-old had no injuries.”
Two other British men aged 31 and 35 were arrested following their involvement in the altercation.
Southampton have proved just how hard they can be to beat by holding Premier League champions to a 0-0 draw this afternoon.
City could not find a way through a resolute Saints side and ended up fortunate to get a draw despite the noisy backing of the home fans at Etihad Stadium.
City, who did not manage a single shot on target until the 90th minute.
The visitors were awarded a penalty on the hour mark when Kyle Walker was sent off for bundling Adam Armstrong over in the box, but both decisions were overturned when VAR intervened and referee Jon Moss watched replays of the incident.
Saints remain winless after sharing the points for the fourth time in five league games, while the draw leaves City in third three points behind leaders Liverpool.
West Ham remains in eighth place on 8 points now five points behind Liverpool but with a game in hand.
Ryan Fredericks has warned Manchester United that the Hammers are absolutely “relentless” as they look to take a huge scalp on Sunday.
The Hammers are preparing for their biggest test of the season thus far, as both clubs look to maintain their unbeaten record.
Against Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side, the Irons will be aiming to keep quiet the combined threats of Cristiano Ronaldo, Bruno Fernandes, Paul Pogba and Jadon Sancho.
It is a major test, and one that the Irons prepared for in the best possible way, by beating Dinamo Zagreb in the Europa League on Thursday, recording a comfortable 2-0 win in Croatia.
And Fredericks, who could have scored in Europe, believes that David Moyes’ side are more than ready to take the fight to United on Sunday and set the cat amongst the pigeons.
Speaking to the club’s official website, the right-back said:Â âI think weâre pretty relentless as a team and no matter who we play against, weâre going to cause problems with the way we play.Â
âWe donât change how we play for anyone. This is our style and weâre very good at it. When players come in, we can still keep the same identity, and I think we showed that.â
The game kicks off at 2pm on Sunday at the London Stadium.
Gary Neville believes that Kalvin Phillips is the best English midfielder… indirectly taking a dig at Declan Rice!
The Sky Sports pundit was on duty for Leeds’ clash with Newcastle on Friday night, which ended in a 1-1 draw.
Phillips has made four appearances thus far this season and played in the clash with the Magpies.
Leeds have yet to actually win a game this season, losing to Manchester United and Liverpool and drawing with Everton and Burnley before the Magpies stalemate.
Phillips, of course, has emerged as a genuine star for England and played a key role in the Three Lions’ run to the Euro 2020 final in the summer.
That was built on Phillips’ midfield partnership with Rice, though, with the two complimenting each other perfectly.
However, Neville believes that the Leeds star is ahead of Rice in his development, despite Declan’s incredible performances for the Irons in recent weeks and months.
Speaking on Sky Sports, as quoted by Hammers News, he said: “He came into the Premier League 12 months ago. Now he is the best English midfield player there is, without a shadow of a doubt.
“He is actually a throwback a midfield player who can do everything. He runs, he tackles, he passes, he can defend, honestly, he is fantastic.”
Trevor Sinclair insists that both Declan Rice and Tomas Soucek would “walk” into Manchester United’s side!
The Hammers are set to take on Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s men tomorrow in perhaps their biggest test of the season so far.
Neither side have lost in the league yet but one has to think that the Irons’ credentials will be given a firm test by the Red Devils, who boast the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo, Bruno Fernandes, Paul Pogba and Raphael Varane.
Still, Sinclair believes that the Hammers have two players who would be guaranteed starters at Old Trafford ahead of tomorrow’s encounter.
Rice, after all, has been linked with United throughout the past few months, while Soucek has emerged as one of the best midfielders in the league since his arrival in east London.
Speaking to talkSPORT, the former Hammers midfielder said: âIâve said it last season, we were talking about this exact fixture and I said Rice and Soucek would walk into the United team.
âI donât think the two or three holding midfielders (at United) would walk into the West Ham team.
âI think theyâre probably as good as youâre going to get in the Premier League at the moment.
âSoucek brings his unique running power, heâs a real boss in both boxes and Rice with his composure and his ability to run games at the back, itâs absolutely brilliant.â
Sinclair has got this one bang on, really, and we can’t argue with him.
West Ham take on Manchester United in a vital clash this weekend.
Neither side has lost in the Premier League yet and this is arguably the biggest test David Moyes’ side have faced thus far this campaign.
Here’s everything you need to know!
Title
West Ham United v Manchester United – Premier League.
Where?
The game will take place at the London Stadium.
KO
The game will kick off at 14:00 in the UK.
Stream/TV
The game will air on Sky Sports Main Event in the UK.
Telemundo Deportes En Vivo and NBCSN in the US.
Canada: DAZN.
Australia: Stan Sport.
China: iQiyi / PPTV Sport China / Migu / iQiyi
Mexico: Blue To Go Video Everywhere / Sky HD.
UAE: Bein Sports Connect.
Injury news â West Ham
Mikey Antonio is suspended. Said Benrahma faces a late fitness test after picking up a knock against Dinamo Zagreb and Winston Reid is out.
Injury news – Man Utd
Marcus Rashford is out as he continues his recovery from shoulder surgery. Amad Diallo, Alex Telles, Edinson Cavani, and Phil Jones are all out. Scott McTominay has a late fitness test.
Last 5 meetings
West Ham have a really poor record against United and have won just one of the last five meetings, back in 2019. The four meetings since have seen one draw and three losses.
Blog by Allan Cummings
Southampton have proved just how hard they can be to beat by holding Premier League champions to a 0-0 draw this afternoon.
