Rio Ferdinand claims no fans in stadiums has helped West Ham the most in Premier League
Rio Ferdinand has backed West Ham to finish fourth in the Premier League and clinch Champions League qualification but took aim at their fans in the process.
Appearing live on BT Sport [11:30, 08/05/21] before Leeds United played host to Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday, ex-Irons defender Ferdinand and Glenn Hoddle both predicted David Moyes’ side to end the season in fourth ahead of Leicester City and Liverpool.
But Ferdinand also took the opportunity to take another pop at the West Ham fans who have been absent from stadiums this season.
This was the exchange between the two pundits and host Jake Humphrey.
Humphrey: “West Ham have to find a mental shift, don’t they?”
Hoddle: “They have to keep their nerve but they can be more relaxed about it, if they end up in a Europa League position that’s a fantastic season.
“With Lingard playing well they’ve got a very good team and a great balance between defending and scoring goals.”
Ferdinand: “The word relaxed, that stems from not having fans at the stadium. They’ve benefitted the most.
“West Ham is the most difficult place to be.”
More lazy punditry
It’s not the first time pundits have used our outstanding season to hammer our fans.
Apparently, we can’t be good for any reason except the absence of fans from stadiums.
How disrespectful is that to Moyes and his players? Do they not get credit for masterminding our assault on the European places, that could end up in with the Irons playing in the Champions League next season?
It’s an insult to all those connected to the club, not least the fans.
Sure, we’re a demanding bunch. What set of ambitious supporters aren’t?
There’s been plenty of other factors that have contributed to our issues over the years, and fans are not one of the primary causes.
Blaming us for our previous troubles is just pure lazy punditry and Ferdinand needs to be more careful with this words.
In other West Ham news, Sky Sports shares major HMRC update on Irons after 2017 London Stadium raid.
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