It can be advised to approach a big match as if it were any other in an attempt to keep nerves down but facing Manchester United on Tuesday is an exception.
This match must be approached differently, with a passion and desire to finish 112 years at the Boleyn Ground strongly.
Does that build a lot of pressure? Yes, a tremendous amount of pressure.
Yet no more pressure than pushing for the Europa League does.
After last week’s stunning performance against Swansea – stunning in the worst way possible – the pressure is on the Hammers to claw back the ground lost to Southampton and Liverpool.
Sandwiched in between the two clubs, West Ham’s lackadaisical 4-1 loss may well cost the Hammers any European football at all – and it certainly ended Champions League dreams.
So yes, there is a heap of pressure on Slaven Bilic and company, but for aspirations of European nights at the Olympic Stadium, there are no other options besides victory.
Manchester United did not have an abundance of chances in their 1-0 victory over Norwich City at the weekend, but they still broke through to win late.
West Ham cannot underestimate the value of their chances. Early on in the Swansea match, it appeared as if the Hammers would smash their opponents. Yet after six chances, Swansea’s first attack ended up in the back of the net to the stunned surprise of West Ham players and supporters alike. It would not be long before André Ayew made it 2-0.
The only hope at that point would have been a quick start to the second half. West Ham have overcome deficits like that before (i.e. West Ham 3-2 Everton), yet a flat start and another Swansea goal effectively ended it. Even Diafra Sakho’s goal (credited as an own goal by Stephen Kingsley) failed to lift the Hammers back into it.
Swansea’s fourth goal, a counter attack which left Mark Noble back to defend between Bafétimbi Gomis and Ayew, was slotted home in added time by Gomis to top off the dismal display in the penultimate match at Upton Park. It seemed as if West Ham had gone on holiday early, leaving a thoroughly unfinished job to wait.
Enter Manchester United, a daunting force to overcome in the Boleyn Ground’s final match.
Bilic said:
It will be a game of emotions and you can’t stop it. It’s impossible to tell the players, the staff and spectators that it’s a normal game, but it’s not a normal game. It’s a special one and a once-in-a-lifetime kind of game, It’s going to be emotional but we have to channel those emotions to be our motivator and our detonator in order to win.
Manchester United are on quite a run, with five wins in their last six games. West Ham’s unbeaten run of ten games was ended on Saturday in the Hammers’ first home Premier League loss since August.
West Ham were defeated in the FA Cup quarter final by Manchester United in April, but receive a boost since Marouane Fellaini is still suspended following an elbow thrown at Leicester City defender Robert Huth
Anthony Martial may also miss the match after a hamstring injury suffered on Saturday.
A key change Bilic should make is to move Michail Antonio further up the pitch. The 26-year-old is a quality winger, with 15 goals to his name last season with Nottingham Forest. He can add onto his six goals this season if played upfield. Antonio filled in at right back to cover for injuries, but with James Tomkins and Sam Byram fit, it is imperative to field a natural defender in the position.
Also, including James Collins back into the starting eleven would shore up a West Ham defence who have held only one clean sheet in the last ten matches without him. Prior to that, Angelo Ogbonna and Collins held five clean sheets together over the course of the season. The pairing would do well to keep close tabs on Wayne Rooney, who has 11 goals in 15 Premier League appearances against West Ham. Manchester United are unbeaten in the last 14 Premier League meetings with West Ham.
Prediction: West Ham 2-2 Manchester United.
In a match much like April’s FA Cup quarter-final, the Hammers will battle back to get a result in the last home match at the Boleyn Ground. West Ham were unlucky to have their late tying goal called off in the quarter-final match. It must be hoped a refereeing decision will not disrupt such a crucial match for both teams.
A win would move West Ham back into sixth place in the Premier League, a vital position to be ensured a Europa League spot. Seventh and eighth place could both work, although they would require results going West Ham’s way elsewhere.
An emotional day for players and fans alike on Tuesday as they enter West Ham’s home since 1904 for the last time.
Bilic said.
One part of me is happy we are moving forward with more capacity and everything, but another part of me will miss this special kind of stadium. It’s like a home, No matter where you move, even if it is to a fancier house or apartment, still your favourite home is your first.
