Return Of Pride Will Stop Hammers Going For Barton
As the transfer rumour-mill is in full flow, the latest name linked with West Ham is Joey Barton.
Despite strong rumours and some fans wanting Barton to be a Hammer, a move will not be made to transfer the controversial player across London. For me the reason the East Londoners’ will not be moving for Barton is their new found pride.
West Ham enjoyed a great season that saw them return to the Premier League at the first time of asking, but, if you ask most fans what they enjoyed most about this season, it would be one thing.
Pride has finally returned to the club. This is a club that has lived in the shadow of controversy and drama. Bankrupt Icelandic’s, illegal Argentines, and dodgy Italians all came and went in a short era that saw the club aim for the Champions League but fall into the Championship this time last season.
The club went from rich to poor overnight, but most sickening for the fans was traditions and values of the club were being put in jeopardy, and the ambition for the future was non-existent.
It takes a lot to drive the Upton Park faithful away but many were just turning up ‘for the day out’ and because they felt they had to. But this season it changed. The fans didn’t turn up because they had to, they wanted to. They enjoyed winning, playing well and being ‘a big fish in a small pond’ and more often than not leaving the ground with a smile on their face.
The attendances were superb throughout the season, especially on the road. Record away attendances at Peterborough and Coventry were highlights. Fans enjoyed going to see their team play again and last weekend, when West Ham beat Blackpool at the home of English football, it was clear to see that the pride had been restored to the East End.
David Gold said: “You know, people talk about the money, but pride is so important, everybody here will be saying we’re back in the Premier League and they’ve had a tough time. We’ve had previous owners who have caused problems for the football club and of course we got relegated, but its pride.’’
So where does this return of pride at Upton Park fit in with that loveable character Joey Barton? Well, the bookies have made West Ham favourites to buy the QPR man despite the West Ham co-owner stating that would never happen.
It’s taken years to restore West Ham’s name, not just with their own fans but the F.A, the media, and other clubs’ fans. These were broken relationships that all needed to be fixed. By signing Barton, a player described by David Gold as: ‘’a player that could self-destruct’’ the Hammers would put their new name and pride at risk.
If Joey was to behave like he did against Man City, then it would cause grief and harm to all the hard work that has gone on at West Ham. Barton’s track record clearly makes him a risk to sign, and is he worth the risk based on his football ability? Probably not.
There was a time when Joey Barton and West Ham would go together quite well, where they would be suited, but not now, the two parties are very much moving in different directions. Not under this management and ownership, this is a new West Ham, a club to be proud of.
Follow On Twitter: @JB_WHU
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