The turnaround in performance 20 matches into the 2014/15 season is nothing short of unbelievable. After the dismal tripe served up last season, any improvement would’ve been welcomed with open arms, and things have been much more positive then we could’ve ever imagined. After a series of meetings between a much maligned manager and a frustrated owner, Sam Allardyce was spared his job. An injection of a decent summer budget by David’s Gold and Sullivan meant quality, rather than quantity, brought about an exciting squad expected to take time to gel, but one that could ultimately fight for a Top 10 Premier League, rather than the traditional relegation scrap.
December comes and West Ham’s season is in dreamland. A Top 4 place has been held since mid-October, the squad has gelled 6 months quicker than any optimist could believe, the players are fully fit and are just about to embark a run of form that will see 13 points taken from a possible 15. The manager’s ego is bulging, the Owners are quietly rejoicing at their decision to “always stick with their managers”, the Vice Chairwoman is days away from excitedly releasing record breaking set of Accounts. All is well in the Boleyn garden.
Despite this, there seemed to be an undercurrent of angst amongst some sections of the crowd. As a season ticket holder of 15 years I’ve seen, heard and experienced some harsh, fair and embarrassing chants at the Boleyn. But things were going great. Performances were superb, our form was on fire and our spirit and never-say-die attitude was winning over our harshest critics. The target of this angst was the Club captain, our leader Kevin Nolan.
Signed on a big 5 year contract straight after our relegation in 2011, Nolan was brought to the Club by his footballing “father figure” Allardyce. The dressing room left by predecessor Avram Grant was one of division and leaderless. Previous captain Matt Upson could not unite a rudderless squad under an inept manager. He didn’t want to socialise or engage with anyone at the Club. Scott Parker was often mistaken as captain during that fateful season due to Upson’s neglect and negative impact around at that time.
What was waiting for Nolan on his first day at West Ham United in June 2011 was a squad with no confidence, no leadership and no time for each other. With West Ham in dire financial trouble, the added pressure of an immediate promotion push was also placed on him and Allardyce. Nolan instantly went about uniting the squad with “bonding days” and being the link between the team and the manager. Any new signings were instantly made to feel one of the team, an instruction that continues today, and is a major foundation on what this season’s success is built on.
Promotion and Top Goalscorer rewards followed. 2012/13 saw a season of Premier League security and another Top Goalscorer award. Performances were solid but not outstanding. Then came 2013/14 and the turning of the tide. 2 red cards due to frustration at a critical time in a desperate season, on top of poor performances, saw a section of our fans start to criticise the captain. The inevitable link to a manager, never taken to the hearts by the Upton Park faithful, didn’t help. But ultimately we survived. His 2 goals in a victory at home to Swansea set us on a 4 match winning run in February 2014 that would set us up for a 13th place finish.
So why the angst? His performance in the FA Cup last Tuesday night was poor. His performances this season have been poor. That I can’t defend. That’s why he is not an automatic starter anymore. What I will defend is his overall time at West Ham United. He didn’t deserve to be openly mocked by the Owners son on Twitter. He certainly doesn’t deserve to be booed by his own fans. He is not an Ince or a Lampard. He hasn’t bad mouthed us in public, he hasn’t been disrespectful or pictured in another team’s shirt. His legs are simply showing their age. Does that deserve the treatment he has been getting? Surely not. Yes he earns a lot of money, but he has earned us millions upon millions more with his leadership and goals in getting us up and keeping us up. He has even got his youngest child to be a supporter as they were born in London, as he did with his other child that was born in Newcastle. That is the class of man.
Let’s get back to winning ways, to carrying on this remarkable season and leave the angst alone. What Kev needs right now is our support and respect. I think he has ultimately earned that at the least.
