Vladimir Coufal gives honest reaction to West Ham United fans leaving early v Arsenal
Vladimir Coufal admits the loss to Arsenal was “embarrassing” and he cannot blame West Ham supporters for leaving the ground early.
Much has been made of thousands of Irons supporters heading for the London Stadium exits before half-time in Sunday’s (11 February) Premier League match.
West Ham were three goals down by the 41st minute on home soil and 4-0 down before the interval in an eventual 6-0 loss.
Reacting to the shocking defeat, Coufal is quoted by The Standard [12 February] as saying: “I’ve never experienced such a big loss and I hope I never experience it again.
“It’s so embarrassing for me and the team when [Arsenal] are passing the ball to each other and their fans are applauding every pass. It’s embarrassing for us, for the fans, for West Ham.
“We can only say sorry and apologise to our fans, and thank you to the fans who stayed with us until the end. I understand those who left before the end too because, to be honest, I probably would have left too.
“I really love our fans and I hope we love each other, so I just felt the need to say thank you and applaud them [at the full-time whistle]. It’s a respect between each other and it should work that way. I try to do it after every game.”
West Ham fans (wrongly) criticised for leaving early against Arsenal
The biggest talking point from West Ham’s loss to Arsenal was not so much the final result but more than fact that so many fans left early on.
Depending on what side of the divide you sit, either those who departed were fully justified in doing so, or they are not loyal supporters.
Quite frankly, anyone who pays good money to attend a match has the right to do what they wish.
Unless it is something you are into – each to their own, and all that – why would anyone want to be put through unnecessary suffering?
At 4-0 down at half-time, there was absolutely no good that could come out of the match unless you miss the days of Declan Rice scoring at the ground, in which case your luck was in.
Joking aside, it was a truly horrendous display from United as they were on the end of another large defeat. If you stayed, good on you; if you left early, do not feel the need to justify yourself to anyone.
In other West Ham news, Andy Gray has made a claim regarding supporters and why many want David Moyes gone.
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