This is Iain Dale reporting from behind enemy lines at White Hart Lane... To say that I am wet through would be an understatement. No jokes please. I'm just not in the mood for it. I've already had the Watford supporting Labour blogger email me to crow about being above the Hammers. West Ham had better win this afternoon otherwise he'll be unbearable tomorrow when he graces the Vox Politix studio... Anything can happen when we play Spurs and usually does. For some reason, despite being soaked I am quite optimistic. Let's get those bubbles blowing!
UPDATE 7.50pm Oh well. Terrible afternoon. Terrible weather, terrible performance. Kerron can crow to his heart's content tomorrow night. He has every right to. The reason I don't go to many away games was amply displayed this afternoon at White Hart Lane. I went with a Spurs supporting friend and it was quite clear that if I had let it be known that I supported West Ham I would have been lynched. The aggression around me was something I'd rather not witness again. Thank Christ the Hammers didn't score, because I doubt whether I'd have been able to remain silent. The guy behind me was screaming venom virtually every thirty seconds. Not a pleasant experience. Very different to where I sit at Upton Park, where we often get away supporters among us and enjoy friendly banter with them. I'm not pretending it's like that all over the ground though!
Your suffering is nothing next to mine. I support Manchester City and have always done so.
ReplyDeleteIt all looked so promising when the Spivs produced the two Argies out of the hat. The sooner West Ham get back to being West Ham the better. Spurs Bulgarian looks like the real thing. Anyway good luck.
ReplyDeleteBTW 2 Lib Dem peers say the stolen £2.4m should be repaid.
Looking forward to seeing Kerron in action tomorrow. Enjoyed the one the other week with Alex Hilton and Stephen Tall
ReplyDeleteWest Ham. End of the world is nigh.
ReplyDeleteSo was it a glorious 5-0 victory to the irons?
ReplyDeleteWoe is me.
ReplyDeleteMan city are offering a free veil with every ticket to try and increase gates.
ReplyDeleteAll thoose that wish to ware the veil will be allowed to do so thus avoiding any embariment to themselves, freind and family.
Yes, it's a funny old game and for that matter a funny old season - Arsenal could have gone bottom a few weeks ago, Liverpool have garnered just 11 points from 9 games and Bolton lie third, despite Mr Allardyce's little local difficulties.
ReplyDeleteWHU can still recover, but best not leave it too much longer.
Try to look on the bright side Iain - if your lot buy the Olympic stadium post 2012, think how much leg room you'll all have!
ReplyDeleteIain
ReplyDeleteBeing an Essex boy, why didn't you follow one of your local sides like Chelmsford City, Billericay or 'Ornchurch? Perhaps you grew up near Romford (disgusting what happened to that club).
Making a serious point here. The non-league game (so its stupidly called)is the lifeblood of our national sport - not over-paid prima donna's from Bulgaria, France and the Ivory Coast.
Self Indulgence
Oh my, what can the matter be.
ReplyDeleteOut played and out classed.
ps why are you so wet, as WHL is a covered stadium?
That's why I don't go to Football at all any more
ReplyDeleteThe last time I went to a game, a pal who is a Brighton supporter invited me, and they were playing shall we say a "northern team"
The bile emanating from the away supporters was constant, vitriolic, racist and threatening, mainly directed to the ref and his officials, but the home supporters were not spared either.
It was such an unpleasant experience and I couldn't bear to have to listen to that kind of animal behaviour ever again. And they say they encourage a family atmosphere? you gotta be joking!
And what did the Police do? Nothing!
I would support a rugby club if I were you. Far less hassle, more sporting and played and supported by men.
ReplyDeleteIain - I know exactly what you mean. I once went undercover in the home stands at the New Den, and it wasn't a plesant experience.
ReplyDeleteLe pauvre Iain
ReplyDeleteDas Leben kann so traurig sein
[Life can seem so sad]
... but always remember - there are many, many equally deserving folk who experience such much more intense & repeated griefs than yourself
Derbyshire is the envy of many less happier Counties, with its lovely Stately Homes like Pemberley and Chatsworth
.... but just think about the experiences most weekends of those ever-Positive Thinkers - the Supporters of Derby
... a city which has replaced its 2 police traffic wardens with 25 council "parking service attandants"
Your obedient servant etc
G E
The biter bit?
ReplyDeleteHe's forever bubbling blows. . .
Any thoughts on Richard Caborn's ridiculous comments on the BBC website? Why don't politicians just stay out of football. Did you see the bite?
ReplyDeleteWere you sitting in the South stand (Park Lane End) by any chance? The atmosphere wasn't too nice was it, but that's a West Ham/Spurs game for you. As for it not being like that at Upton Park, I doubt it, going by chants of "your Dad's a terrorist" to Mido...
ReplyDeleteI sympathise. Tottenham fans can be a weird bunch. Just look at the venom they spew in Sol Campbell's direction every time they see him - even though he left the club six years ago!
ReplyDeleteits was a miserable experience even before the kick off. the 30 minute yomp from civilisation to the open sewer that is White Hart Lane left me wetter that Jim Prior in a swimming pool. Then the game began...
ReplyDeleteYou knows it. :-)
ReplyDeleteObviously going 9 games without a Premiership win (and still being above you) gives me every reason to crow.
All we need to do now is get out of the relegation places. :-o