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Pundit questions West Ham United fans after what he heard this week
We’re delighted to welcome former West Ham United striker Frank McAvennie as our exclusive columnist. Each week he’ll be giving his views on the biggest talking points at the London Stadium…
Frank McAvennie has questioned West Ham fans who see the Europa Conference League as a “hinderance” rather than a privilege.
The Hammers made it four wins from four games to secure qualification into the knockout rounds of the tournament this week when they beat Anderlecht on Thursday, but fans and journalists have questioned whether the tournament is more of an annoyance because of the Thursday-Sunday aspect.
But McAvennie believes playing in Europe is what everyone should be aiming for, including West Ham, and says despite their bad start it should be what they look to do this season too.
“I look at reporters talking to David Moyes and they’re saying, ‘is it a hinderance playing in Europe?’ and he’s going, ‘what?'” he told West Ham Zone.
“They’re playing all year, and people keep talking and asking questions like you just asked about getting into Europe. That’s what you want. You want to play in Europe.
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“You want to play whether it’s a Thursday night or a Wednesday night or a Tuesday. You want to play against the best. Some of these supporters say it’s a hinderance. Really?
“West Ham supporters have been waiting for the best part of 40 years to get into Europe. And more. The last time they were in Europe I can’t remember. I might’ve been playing.
“We got into Europe and then we got banned because of Liverpool. So they never even got their trips.
“Fans love a trip. They love to go to all these countries and support their club, and that’s what it’s all about. The promise was to go to the new stadium and challenge for Europe.
“Yeah we’d like to challenge for the Champions League, but you look at the teams above us and they’re getting stronger and stronger.
“So if West Ham challenge for the Europa League or the Europa Conference League, the supporters will take that because it’s what they want. It’s what they were promised.
“And I’m looking forward to some of the games, they’re great. The fans love it. You can see it, going away in their thousands to these games.
“The fans love it, the ex-players love to go away with the fans and enjoy themselves and it’s good fun.
“So long may it continue. As long as they’re challenging for the top six, seven or eight then the fans will be happy.
“They’ve not started too clever, but they’ve won two games on the bounce and that’s two games that we had to win.
“The pressure was on. And we won and we won convincingly. So long may it continue.”