Sir Trevor Brooking has backed West Ham United fans to show their support in positive fashion at tomorrow’s vital Premier League clash against Southampton.
The Hammers legend, who attended Monday’s emergency Supporter Advisory Board, will again be at London Stadium to cheer on David Moyes’ team and has urged the Claret and Blue faithful to create an atmosphere that helps lift the players on to victory.
In an exclusive address to supporters on West Ham TV, Sir Trevor said: “I think over the last two or three weeks, for those who were at the Burnley game and those who saw it, there has been a mixture of shock, sadness and frustration about those occurrences.
“More than anything, if you are a genuine West Ham fan, you didn’t want to see that and you don’t want to see it again, because the atmosphere didn’t help anyone.
“In order to get the right results we need in the next eight games, we need to create an atmosphere that allows the players to express themselves and give a performance.
“The big factor is that we have to get the mood right for everyone. The fans want to try and lift the team. Wherever I have been over the last couple of weeks, everyone has been saying the same thing – the noise against Southampton has got to be great.
We’ve got eight games to really lift everyone and get the results we need
Sir Trevor Brooking
“In moments like this the West Ham fans have always shown how special they are. I remember the 1991 FA Cup semi-final, when Tony Gale got sent off, we were losing 4-0, but our fans just chanted all the way through. For days on end, it was all other supporters could talk about.
“But that is West Ham fans. Particularly when our backs are to the wall, they are fantastic at lifting the team and I think that is what we will get against Southampton and in the seven games that follow.
“Longer term, there are issues to discuss but at the moment the big question is are we going to be a Premier League team? All the big issues that you’ve got to make decisions on – the manager, coaches, scouting, until we know the situation they can’t be addressed. I think everyone understands that now, we’ve got eight games to really lift everyone and get the results we need.”