Home is where the heart is

It’s a sign of the turbulent season us Hammers have endured that we find ourselves looking forward to a Thursday night in Wales!

Yet it could have been oh so different had we merely stopped Bristol City, Middlesborough, Doncaster or a number of other clubs from scoring at Upton Park and stealing the very few points needed to make the difference, but it wasn’t to be! The fans have been crying out for the 'West Ham Way' all season and nothing is more apt than to expect so much and fall short of the mark. Isn’t that the 'West Ham Way'?

Instead of Sam spending the million pound bonus promised upon promotion on that Vegas Trip he had booked during the play-offs, he will be on board a train flying west into a damp and waterlogged Wales. Such is the unique season we have had that travelling from Upton Park to the Cardiff City Stadium will be like jumping from the fire back into the frying pan!

Our home form has been mixed this season with the month of March providing a run of five draws ultimately sending us into the play-off lottery. What was more concerning was the restless nature of a large proportion of the Upton Park faithful who capitalised on the smallest of error with a chorus of boos and jeers. It’s safe to say Allardyce was (and is) not the fans' favourite, nor does he have many admirers however, in his own words, "I’ve got skin thicker than an elephant" (and a belly to match).

The mixed atmosphere at Upton Park has seen a West Ham squad excel away from home, equalling and then superseding the record for the most away wins in a season ensuring an optimism very few would have as they crossed the border into the Valleys. Ironically, our disastrous home form began after a 0-2 win away at Cardiff at the beginning of March. Will history repeat itself and does this mean a win on Thursday night is essential?

Highly unlikely.

Our recent run at home; unbeaten in three and scoring eleven goals, has arrived on cue for what should be an explosive finale to the semi final at Upton Park on Monday. Regardless of the away leg, West Ham have the firepower to score on tap and a defensive partnership in Tomkins and Reid growing stronger as every minute ticks by.

The atmosphere is back, the optimism is back and we are now the 'in form' team on our quest for Premier League promotion. Need I remind Southampton that simply scoring one goal amongst the five draws may have booked their place at the Cardiff City Stadium? They are well aware…. (yet they are celebrated and revered, we are slated with tags of "failure")

What is an ABSOLUTE must, is that we recreate the atmosphere that still sends a shiver down my spine to this very day. Ipswich at home on 14th May 2004; Upton Park was buzzing, flags flying everywhere, beach balls and so many renditions of our world famous Bubbles song people began forgetting the words! (sacrilege).

As a West Ham fan is time to stand and be counted. Time to unite as one and for one of VERY few times this season, become the 12th man. I firmly believe it was the carnival astmosphere, the non-stop singing and the positive energy that raised the extra 10 per cent needed to press on to the final and ultimate victory over Preston that day… we must replicate or better to ensure a similar result come Monday.

It's time to show our players what it really means to play at the home of football and in front of the World’s best fans, the Claret and Blue army!


* Richard Williams is the host of the claretsweatandtears.co.uk blog. Richard may also be found on Twitter at @CSAT_whufc.

Please note that the opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of, nor should be attributed to, KUMB.com.