As well as Smallbone played vs Villa, I do hope KWP is back so just JWP can return to midfield. Mainly so that JWP can leave one on Noble.
I’m sure some of their fans had a romantic attachment to Upton Park, or The Boleyn Ground as they insisted on calling it. But they’d outgrown it and it was a real slog to get to and from on public transport. The new stadium has excellent transport links, making it probably the most accessible sports venue in the country. The view of the pitch seemed fine to me when I went there two seasons ago (don’t know what it’s like in the upper tier though). It holds 80,000 I believe. I work with a couple of West Ham fans. Neither of them complain about the ground. They complain about the team all the time.
I don't really understand all of the fan's resentment of the owners to be honest. I do know a lot of them weren't happy to leave Upton Park and then finding themselves in an unsuitable stadium has only made them more unhappy. From the outside it looks like the owners moved for the best intentions ie bigger, modern stadium generating more income to improve the club as a whole. But from what I can gather is the fans think that Gold, Sullivan and Brady are lining their pockets although Gold and Sullivan don't take an income (Brady does). As you say though sending West Ham stewards to Anfield was an unbelievable thing to do and can only make matters worse than they already are. "I mean I'm not real fan of St Marys but at least it's a purpose built football ground." Some people say St Mary's is flat-pack characterless modern stadium but me, I love it. Bit dull from the outside and it doesn't help being in a run down part of the city but inside I like the bowl shape and a good view from where ever you sit. It's a vast improvement on The Dell.
Most stadiums are great if you’re winning games in them. Modern grounds are often characterless, but that is often compensated for by little things like not having to wade through a river of piss to reach a urinal.
I'm not really sure I buy that they had outgrown it, they had permission to go to 42k didn't they? The 60k they've got now is unnecessary imo. Stratford might be easy to get to but it's a fair slog to the ground with no pubs or proper food outlets near the ground. I've not been for a match tbf only on a non game day.
The only reason the owners wanted the move was to make themselves more money rather than the good of the club imo. They tried doing something similar with Brum didn't they? Yeah I don't really hate St Marys, just wish it was a bit more unique like what Brighton have done for example. Ultimately it saved us in 2009 though.
West Ham will really be targeting this for a win whilst they are in their difficult run of fixtures. Defeat they could find themselves cut adrift in a few weeks.. An early goal from us could turn the atmosphere sour , a bit like the Burnley game did there a couple of seasons ago. Could play in our hands. Be good to avenge that defeat at our place. Coyr
I think we will be troubled by set pieces, based on what I saw Monday. They look to be a very big side, and Snodgrass’ delivery is up there with JWP.