The final day of the season has finally arrived. There have been times when it has felt like this day would never come along, and when it arrived, that it would be more like a wake. However, just when we appeared doomed, a run of almost championship winning form rescued us, and after the draw with Crawley two weeks ago, our future in the Football League was assured.

While unable to halt the Shrewsbury promotion party last week, the mood around the club has been much better, and we can approach this one more relaxed than we have been able to in the last few years. A win (coupled with results elsewhere) could see us finish in the giddy heights of 18th.

Today’s visitors are Bristol Rovers. Relegated with us last season, they come into this final game safely placed in 12th. The team above them, Aldershot, are eight points ahead, so they won’t be finishing any higher. However, like us, they will want to go out on a winning note.

Saturday 5th May 2012, Dagenham & Redbridge v Bristol Rovers, Victoria Road

The start is a typical end of season game, where neither have anything to play for. There is a sizeable contingent that has travelled from Bristol and a lot of them are in fancy dress, as seems to have become a tradition for the final day of the season. Amongst those in the away section, there is one Mr Blobby, one Rocky Balboa and several other assorted costumes.

The first (and only) goal of the half arrives just after the mid-way point, and Brian Woodall is the scorer. Up until that point, the closest we get to a goal is after just two minutes, when Matt Harold’s shot clips the top of the cross bar. Once the goal is scored though, it just seems to completely deflate the visitors, and although the half will end with a 1-0 scoreline, there is the threat of more to come.

Brian Woodall has improved immeasurably over the season. Signed from Gresley during last summer, I think most expected him to be a bench-warmer at best, and possibly even to spend some time away from the club on loan. However, injuries have seen him play over forty games this season, and emerge eventually as the teams top scorer. His (as it turns out, first) goal is a bit reminiscent of former Dagger Paul Benson; Josh Parker is fed the ball on the right side of the area, and his cross is met perfectly with a right footed volley that gives the Rovers keeper no chance. It’s a lovely goal, and the sort that you might have scored in a game of headers and volleys over the park with your mates.

At half time, the usual club draw results are announced, and once more I have failed to win anything; of course, if I had actually managed to buy a ticket for any of them, I might have had a bit more luck.

The last forty five minutes of a long, long season start and the Daggers are well on top. Shots by Ogogo, Spillane and Bingham keep the visitors penned back, so it is unsurprising then that, within ten minutes, its 2-0, and Woodall has netted again. Baudry is able to pick out the forward with his pass, and this time, his left foot shot goes beyond the dive of Conor Gough. Dan turns round to correctly point out that the perfect hat-trick is still on, and he has more than enough time to do it. All we need is for him to stay on the pitch, and not get substituted.

Just after the hour, the Daggers extend their lead, and Danny Green is now on the score sheet. When signed a couple of years ago, he was the second player of that name to be on the Daggers squad list. The other left twelve months ago to join Charlton, but Danny J has spent most of his time at the club actually somewhere else, having spent time out on loan. However, like last year when he returned for the last couple of games and looked good, he has done the same thing again. Having robbed a Rovers defender of the ball near to their own penalty area, he advances across the box before slotting the ball past Gough. As a contest, it’s all over now.

Woodall will complete his hat-trick on eighty-one minutes, and although it’s not the perfect one that we hoped for, it will do none the less. The ever improving Billy Bingham is allowed to pass the ball to the forward, who is able to score to complete our biggest win of the season. Danny Green almost adds a fifth in stoppage time, and as the Rovers fans do their conga up and down the stairs of the away stand, the game dwindles to its conclusion. As the sun breaks through, the final whistle is blown, and finally, its all over. The Daggers have won 4-0, and we can all decamp to the bar to watch the cup final. At the end of the season, 19th place isn’t bad, and at least we have broken the fifty point barrier again.

Well, we can, but first the club makes its players of the year awards first. Both teams leave the field of play, and the Daggers return a couple of minutes later to applaud the fans before gathering in the centre circle to hear who has won. In the end, Michael Spillane takes the top prize, with Abu Ogogo and Brian Woodall, second and third respectively; Spillane will also eventually win the supporters club player of the year, with Ogogo and Scott Doe joint second. Once the awards are finished, then we make our way out of the ground, and into the club house for the Chelsea v Liverpool game. It’s already packed, but luckily Dagenham Dan and Graham have already marked out their territory, and we just pile in, and just make the start.

As the first half is played out, it’s a chance to sit back and relax, but also to think about the season just completed. The run with which we finished the season (one defeat in ten games) shows what can be achieved with a settled side. The few voices calling for the managers head earlier in the season never really reached a crescendo, even after losing nine league games in a row. But it just feels a bit, well, odd, that we stayed up based on three spells of decent form; the first was right at the start of the season, winning three out of the first four games, the second was at Christmas, and then the last ten games. After looking doomed after Northampton in March, one Dagger promised to have his head shaved if we stayed up. So, at half time in the final, in front of the assembled patrons and with a plastic sheet on the floor, he duly went through with the bet, and raised about £150 for cancer research.

There have been moments to saver this season; for some, beating Barnet at Christmas is always a good thing, or finally beating Accrington when Dan’s Dad turns up. But while we have ended the season well, it’s also important to remember that it didn’t look like we were going to do it for quite a while, and not just in March. Those nine, horrible, awful shambles that bought a grand total of zero points had us looking like a relegation team way before Christmas. That we got out of it is a testament to the players and management, although it was also them that got into the mess in the first place.

But it’s often forgotten that the supporters play a part in team success (and failures) as well. Far too many clubs change their manager at the first sign of trouble. Myself and Graham were approached by one highly placed person in the club on the way home from another pre-Christmas home defeat, and during a ten minute conversation were asked if we would get rid of the manager. The emphatic answer was “no”, and it turned out to be the right one. There have been more than a few managerial changes in League Two this season, and not all of them worked. The fans stuck (by and large) with the team, and everyone involved with the club has been rewarded with that loyalty and faith with another season in League Two. It may not sound like a lot to some, but to us, it still does. And while I will renew my season ticket for 2012/13, I won’t be doing it just yet. I need a few weeks without football first, and probably a lie down.

On the 3rd May 2003, Swansea City faced Hull in order to determine whether they would retain their Football League status. Over nine and a half thousand fans poured into The Vetch Field to watch The Swans try to avoid the unthinkable, knowing that anything other than victory would see the side drop out of the Football League and into the conference. The Welsh side won the game 4-2 with James Thomas bagging a hat-trick which consisted of 2 penalties and a sublime chip over the keeper.

On Sunday, nine years on from the Hull fixture, Swansea City travelled to Old Trafford in order to play a pivotal role in concluding the destiny of the Premier League title, with their top flight status for the 2012-13 campaign secure.

Manchester United’s home form has been far from that which they have shown on the road this season, meaning Swansea had a realistic chance of denying Alex Ferguson’s side 3 points and returning from Old Trafford with more than their pride in tact.

Few would have predicted that with two fixtures of their maiden Premier League campaign remaining, Swansea would be 10 points off the relegation zone. Having taken the league by storm, Brendan Rodgers side now find themselves in a mid table league position highly reflective of their performances.

With Manchester City beating Newcastle in the 1.30 kick off, United knew that they had to record 3 points to keep alive their chances of retaining the title.  Swansea, bolstered by the return to fitness of Angel Rangel, as expected reverted back to a more traditional 4-5-1 formation for Sunday’s fixture, having experimented with three at the back during last weekends 4-4 draw at home to Wolves .

Rangel was instantly restored to the Swans back line along with left back Neil Taylor, whilst Mark Gower started in place of Leon Britton who was only fit enough for a place amongst the substitutes following the knee injury he sustained last week.

Alex Ferguson made three changes to the side that was condemned to defeat in last Monday’s Manchester derby as Ashley Young, Hernandez and Valencia were restored to the starting line up.

During a scrappy opening encounter, in which neither side really established the upper hand, Joe Allen stood out for the Welsh side, closing down avenues and applying optimum pressure on the Untied players. However this was to little avail with few other Swansea players showing the same tenacity.

Swansea City began to settle and showed glimpses of their capabilities but ultimately payed the price for playing an uncharacteristic amount of misplaced passes, conceding possession far too frequently as Manchester United broke the deadlock with almost half an hour played. Phil Jones did well to get the better of Neil Taylor out wide before pulling the ball back for Carrick who’s shot into a congested penalty area was helped on with a neat flick from Scholes, changing the direction of the ball, deceiving Michel Vorm and opening the scoring for a united side looking to close the goal margin their local rivals hold over them.

Hernandez came close to doubling the home sides advantage soon after, however couldn’t direct his header on target.  United squandered a host of other opportunities in the first half as they frustratedly looked to extend their lead.

The reigning Champions did finally add to their goal tally with four minutes of the first half remaining when Ashley Young pounced on a loose ball following Wayne Rooney’s initial shot.

Swansea spent large spells of the first half sitting too deep, inviting relentless United pressure and were inevitably punished for the amount of time and space they allowed the home side, going in at the interval trailing 2-0.

Swansea City, backed by a phenomenal away support, who remained louder than their counterparts for the duration, tried to ignite a resurgence after the break.  A hugely credible endeavour and bounds of spirit saw a large momentum switch, seemingly triggered by the introduction of holding midfielder Leon Britton.  Instantly restoring shape to the Swansea midfield, Britton showed no signs of injury, as he made numerous crucial interceptions and changed the whole complexion of the game.  A second half in vast contrast to the first saw Swansea on the front foot, with the home side rattled.

Swansea surged forward with far greater urgency and a vastly improved tempo. The Welsh side’s defence appeared more comfortable with Britton offering assurance to the back line, commanding the holding midfield role to mass effect.

Manchester United still aired a threat and showcased the class they poses by creating a horde of chances. Coming agonisingly close to adding a third when Valencia broke with pace before picking out a great run from Rooney into the box, who tried to play the ball across the face of goal however Dyer demonstrated his defensive credentials in order to intercept.

Swansea almost halved the deficit 15 minutes after the restart when Nathan Dyer provided a direct ball through the centre for Joe Allen, the midfielder had time to compose himself before unleashing a shot, deflecting off Danny Graham and forcing De Gae into an impressive save.

The Spanish keeper also made a great full stretched save 5 minutes later to deny a Gylfi Sigurdsson free kick which seemed destined for the back of the net.  The contrast of performances in the two halves emphasised Leon Britton’s importance to the side as Swansea controlled large spells of the second period, however could not convert any of their opportunities.

Alan Tate was sentimentally introduced with moments of the match remaining. A great touch from Brendan Rodgers to allow the Swansea defender an appearance against the club he had captained at both youth and reserve level.  Despite an inspired second 45 from Swansea, Manchester United showed the strength to prevail and in doing so, take the title race to the final day of the season

It makes a change to go into the last couple of games of a season with nothing to play for. Last year, we were trying to stay in League 1; in both 2009 and 2010 we were trying to get into the play offs, while in 2008, we went into the penultimate game of the season up at Darlington needing a win (and results to go our way) to stay in the football league. The last time we had nothing to play for in the last couple of games was in 2007, having already secured the conference title. It makes for a nice relaxed trip to Shrewsbury, which is the venue for our last away game of the season.

You would kind of hope that by this time of the year, we would be going to games in some decent weather, but since the drought was declared recently, it seems to have rained for most of the time since. As some have remarked, it must be one of the wettest droughts in recent times.

Today is the last away trip of 2011/12, and we are making the trip westwards to Shrewsbury Town. The home side are in line for an automatic promotion place, and a win today will see them promoted to League 1. With this in mind, the game (aside from the away section) is a sell out, and so there will be around nine thousand home fans hoping to see them achieve their aim today. In contrast, there will be around 100 Daggers fans making the trip, which is around half of our allocation.

Three years ago, we met on the final day of the season in what was basically a winner takes all game for the final play off place. Although we had a one point lead going into the game, the Shrews led 2-0 by half time, and it looked all over. Although we got one back early in the second half, an equalizer wasn’t forthcoming, and despite the best efforts of everyone, Shrewsbury held on for a 2-1 win, and thus took the last play off place. Over the course of a season, where you finish is where you deserve to finish, and over the course of that season, Shrewsbury deserved to finish in that place. Given that we had only just avoided relegation the previous year, it still represented a major improvement for the team.

Although there has been some talk about the possibility of spoiling the promotion party, given that the home team are second, the chances are probably not great. However, this is presently our longest unbeaten run since promotion five years ago so you never know…

Saturday 28th April 2012, Shrewsbury Town v Dagenham & Redbridge

Although we have nothing now to play for, the coach is still full for what is effectively for us, a dead game. There are a few regulars missing, but most on board are familiar faces. Dagenham Dan for example, is venturing back into Europe this weekend with Neil Shenton for a play off game in Belgium, while others have decided to give this a miss.

As we arrive at the ground a full ninety minutes before the game, there is already a sizeable amount of home fans out side the ground, waiting to get in. The bar at the Power League next door has already only got standing room only, and with the “designated” away pubs already looking full as we passed them on the coach, most head straight into the away end of the ground for a drink.

The Greenhous Meadow is an impressive arena, with four completely separate stands. However, the corners look as though they could be filled in if a larger capacity was ever needed.

There are at least half a dozen mascots for the home team today, and as the players warm up over on the far side of the pitch, the youngsters are kicking a ball amongst themselves on the side nearest to the dug-outs. All are resplendent in full Shrewsbury kit, and at least one has had her hair dyed blue for the occasion. If that isn’t all, then John Still takes a stroll into the away end prior to the game to thank the away fans for travelling, stopping to have a chat with some of our fans as well. I don’t think that I can recall ever seeing that before, and certainly not at a Football League level.

It’s grey and overcast as the game kicks off, although the fact that it isn’t raining is a bit of a bonus, especially how it has been tipping down over the last few days. Given that there is only about 150 daggers in a crowd of around nine thousand, it’s going to be hard to hear the visiting fans.

The home side start nervy though, as though weighed down by the expectation that today will be the day they win promotion. There is a good noise though from all involved, although much of the home vocal support is coming from the corner blocks of the west stand. The first freight train thunders past after a couple of minutes, but the first chance takes a bit longer to arrive. The impressive James Collins has a shot blocked by Scott Doe, but the rebound is blocked on the line by Damien McCrory. It’s a close call, and it begins a period of home pressure that continues with a curling effort from Ian Sharps which goes just wide. The home side are clearly targeting the left wing as their main avenue of attack, as the diagonal ball from right midfield to the left wing is tried out with varying degrees of success in the early part of the game.

The game then starts to calm down a bit, with the ball not really sticking with any player that happens to come across it. However, this doesn’t last long, and soon there is another chance for Shrewsbury that is cleared off the line, this time by Scott Doe from Matt Richards. Shrewsbury are back on top, and the Daggers are not able to really threaten at the other end. Collins has another effort blocked by Doe, but the ball rebounds and the Daggers are able to break, with the ball quickly transferred to the other end, and it results in an effort by Medy Elito that is wide of the mark. It does at least make the Town keeper dive, although it was probably just so that he got his kit dirty.

The advantage of getting a press pass for this game is that I have a slightly better view than most of the Daggers fans that have travelled. However, the corporate hospitality people are just in front of us, and one particularly middle aged gentleman is wearing not only a lilac jumper, but waving a flag as well. Annoying (and worrying) are just two words to describe this bizarre scene.

The goal that Shrewsbury have been threatening eventually arrives on thirty eight minutes. A corner from the left is not cleared, and a cross by Nicky Wroe is headed home by James Collins. The noise generated is not only to celebrate the goal, but also a sense of relief that the deadlock is broken. Minutes later, Lewington is called on to make a save at the feet of Collins, and the danger is averted. The one minute of stoppage time produces very little, and the half time whistle brings a deserved home lead.

The first fifteen minutes of the second half are largely dominated by the home side, anxious to get the second goal that will probably finish the game off. However, despite efforts by both Aaron Wilding and Terry Gornell, the score remains at 1-0, and you can feel the nervousness developing in the home crowd, especially after Luke Howell’s shot for the Daggers is deflected for a corner with Chris Neal in the home goal stranded.

The last twenty minutes sees the usual flurry of substitutions, but no real change in the game, with Shrewsbury still maintaining their command of the game. Mark Wright shoots wide after good work down the right side by the substitute Marvin Morgan, while the former Dagger Morgan is also involved a few minutes earlier, although his cross is repelled by Abu Ogogo.

The last chance of the game falls to the Daggers, but Josh Scott’s header is not enough to trouble Neal, and as the clock winds down to the final whistle, the locals start to mass on the side of the pitch. The idea of using the “Some people are on the pitch” springs to mind, but although there are a couple that enter the field of play prior to the whistle, most seem to wait until the game is actually over before running on. The three minutes of added time do nothing to the score, and at the end, Shrewsbury can celebrate a promotion to the third tier of English football.

While the home fans rush onto the pitch, the Daggers fans that have made the trip are left to collect their flags, and are surrounded by stewards. Clearly fearful of the 147 away fans going to the pitch and causing trouble amongst the nine thousand home fans, they have been blocked access to the pitch,. Quite why they think we are going to do this is not clear, but there you go. Those that are on the supporters club coach make their way out, and begin the long journey back to East London. Being safe already means that we aren’t too disappointed with the result, as not many of us would have expected too much prior to the game. Still, we have one more game, and then that’s it for the summer

Shrewsbury 2nd P44 W25 D10 L9 GD+25 PTS85
Dagenham 19th P44 W13 D8 L23 GD-25 PTS47

Brendan Rodgers made two changes to the Swans side for Saturday’s fixture against Wolves, to that which had picked up 4 points from their previous 2 matches. Andrea Orlandi and Gary Monk were handed rare starts in an experimental 3-6-1 formation, meaning both full backs Taylor and Rangel were omitted.

Despite the formation’s potential, Swansea were too often left exposed at the back as a result of playing three centre-backs. With Gary Monk playing central and Williams and Caulker seemingly unsure of their roles as both played out in wider positions.

I feel the system would have worked to far greater effect had Rodgers opted for two natural full backs and one centre back.

With the pace that Curtis Obeng possesses I feel an appearance from the youngster on Saturday could have taught us far more about how far away the defender is from a regular first team role whilst also handing him valuable Premier League experience.

With Dorus De Vries back at The Liberty for the first time since Swansea’s play off semi final victory over Nottingham Forest, the Dutch keeper would have been hoping to replicate the performance level delivered in his Premier League debut against Manchester City last weekend, in order to help Wolves finish their campaign with as much dignity and pride as possible.

However, after conceding the fastest goal of the Premier League campaign along with some fantastic, direct football from the home side, Wolves were looking a deflated side, trailing 3-0 with just 15 minutes played.

It took less than a minute for the home side to open the scoring when Scott Sinclair provided a great delivery into the box for Andrea Orlandi who rose and connected superbly to loop his header over De Vries and score his first Premier League goal. Swansea were straight on the attack again after the restart and were quick to double their advantage when Sigurdsson played a perfectly timed and weighted ball forward for Joe Allen to run onto. The Welsh international’s shot was helped by a deflection off Richard Stearman, leaving Dorus De Vries with no chance of denying Allen his 4th goal of the season.

The difference in class between the two sides was prevalent early on in the first half as Swansea looked set to compile further misery on already relegated Wolves season.

Swansea were playing far less square balls as they pushed forward with real authority and direction at every opportunity. They were further rewarded for this attacking approach when Nathan Dyer extended their advantage 15 minutes in, connecting with Orlandi’s superb ball across the face of goal in order to head past De Vries.

With Swansea playing 3 at the back, Wolves constantly looked to have one man free when on the attack and as a result were able to test Vorm frequently, with Jarvis in particular whipping a number of dangerous deliveries into the 18 yard box.

Having not scored since February 11th, Danny Graham almost got himself on the score sheet midway through the half when he latched onto a poor back pass intended for De Vries, however the keeper reacted well and made himself big in order to deny Graham.

Brendan Rodgers tactic to play three centre backs hindered Swansea as Fletcher, Doyle and Jarvis relentlessly found space to cause problems for the Swans back-line. With Williams and Caulker instinctively being drawn in field to complete central duties, Swansea midfielder’s did not track back to provide sufficient support defensively.

With 26 minutes played, Doyle, in acres of space out wide, delivered a precise cross into the box which was met by Fletcher who headed past Vorm to cut the deficit. Seemingly a warning for the Welsh side that they would be punished for any complacency.

With half an hour played, Graham scored his first goal in 11 matches and in doing so, restored Swansea’s three goal lead. Connecting with Dyer’s delivery before taking a touch, composing himself and slotting home his 13th Swansea goal.

Wolves response was instant as they continued to show the utmost spirit and determination, halving the deficit 10 minutes from half time when Swansea were again punished for their slack defensive work.

Brendan Rodgers elected to revert to a more traditional 4-4-2 formation after the interval as Neil Taylor entered the fray in place of arguably the best player of the first half- Andrea Orlandi. The Spaniard, as in previous appearances this season, constantly took on and got the better of defenders, picked out the runs of, and set up team mates, and was heavily involved in Swansea’s first half success.

Sigurdsson created two great opportunities to restore Swansea’s 3 goal margin instantly after the restart, with his first effort rebounding off the woodwork before his second was parried away to safety by De Vries who appeared far more assured at the start of the second half than he had the first.

With less than 10 minutes of the half played, David Edwards guided a powerful strike past Vorm before a sensational come back was completed when Jarvis hauled his side back on level terms with his second goal of the match. Showing more hunger to connect with the ball than Monk, he guided the ball past Vorm as the stadium was silenced.

Despite still awaiting his first victory in charge of Wolves, Terry Connor can feel nothing but pride after his side showed the greatest endeavour in order to deliver one of the most spirited performances of the season and record a point despite trailing for the majority of the game.

For the best part of the second period, the Midlands club showed grit and tenaciousness far superior to their counterparts, not allowing Swansea time on the ball they were not looking dejected or anything like a side condemned to relegation.

Replica to the squad, Wolves fans demonstrated nothing but pride, passion and loyalty towards their side and were a true credit to the club throughout.

Up until about ten days ago, this fixture was one of the most eagerly anticipated in the Daggers season. And this was not for good reasons, either. It all boiled down to the man who was in charge up until this point in time, Steve Evans. Evans was in charge of Boston United when they beat the Daggers to the Conference title in 2002. With only one promotion place up for grabs, it was only those that won the championship to go up; if you finished second, then there wasn’t even the prospect of the play offs to fall back on.

Then it emerged that Boston had been making illegal payments to players throughout that season. The FA investigated, and eventually, in a pathetic half-way house, doing something but not really doing anything kind of way, they deducted Boston four points. Not from the season when the offence had taken place though, but the following year. The Daggers protested, but the FA reckoned that they couldn’t change the fixture lists that had already been produced, so Boston got to keep their place in the league, while we had to stay in the Conference.

Evans eventually left Boston, although they clung onto their league place for five years before succumbing to relegation in 2007. The ironic thing was that we replaced them in the league, which was a fact not lost on any Daggers fans. Boston are now on their way back in the non-league game, although they were left in a bit of a mess after their time in the league.

Evans was convicted of tax evasion, and given a 20 month suspended prison sentence, although that didn’t stop Crawley employing him a few years ago. From that moment on, Crawley became a target of hate amongst Daggers fans, and the away trip in October was marked by a home 3-1 win, as well as one visiting fan being chucked out even before the game had started. And while most would be getting ready for Evans coming back to Victoria Road since that fateful 2001-02 campaign, that has all gone now since he decided to up sticks and depart for Rotherham. If you think that I may be overplaying this all a bit, then I will put it like this. Some of the biggest despots and dictators in history would get a better reception at Victoria Road than Evans. He really is that despised.

Crawley are having a bit of a stellar debut year in the Football League. Promoted as champions twelve months ago, they have topped the division for a while, but have since dropped back, although they are still in an automatic promotion position. The question is though, why would a manager that has guided their team to such heights in their first season in the football league, leave with half a dozen games to go?

Saturday 21st April 2012, Dagenham & Redbridge v Crawley Town, Victoria Road

Issues with the (now former) opposition manager aside, the Daggers are now just one point away from securing their place in the league for next season. It’s been a remarkable run, ever since that spirit crushing home defeat by Northampton on March 13th. For the first time this season, it has felt as though when we have been picking up points, those around us have started to flounder, meaning that a gap has developed. Just a draw today will see us safe, and heading for a sixth season in the Football League.

It would mean a nice way to mark the eighth anniversary of John Still returning to the club as manager. Still was the first manager of the club, following the merger of Dagenham and Redbridge Forest in 1992. He left the club to take over at Peterborough, but returned after Garry Hill departed in 2004. At the time, the brief was to keep up in the Conference, so we’ve done slightly better than that. Having completed eight years in the job, Still is the longest serving manager in the Football League, and the fourth longest in the top four divisions. It shows what can be achieved if there is a bit of patience with the manager from those above and supporters. For example, West Ham were always a club that prided itself on allowing their managers to get on with the job, and having decent longevity in the role. But, in the time that Still has been in charge, they have gone through four managers, and are presently on the fifth. And that isn’t the worst record out there.

The game sees a couple of recent Daggers return to Victoria Road. John Akinde and Charlie Wassmer have both spent a month on loan here in the not too distant past; Akinde saw considerably more time on the pitch than Wassmer, but if we are to retain our present status, then their efforts will not have been in vain. Aside from the two players, there is also another familiar face amongst the Crawley back room staff. Mark Stein, who is now the Crawley physio, spent two and a bit high scoring years with the club around ten years ago. As he troops off at the end of the warm up, he is given a loud cheer from those of us who recall his playing time at the club with great affection.

For a team that had enjoyed considerable success under a manager, their reaction to his departure was not what many would have expected. The video depicting the players doing the twist in celebration that appeared on you tube showed that popularity was a contest that he clearly lost.

During the teams warm up, the home fans were chanting for them to re-enact the footage, and although it appeared to generate a couple of laughs from the players, we really didn’t want them to be doing it in the game. Eighteen minutes into the game, and there it is; Charlie Wassmer has flicked home a cross from the right wing, and suddenly half the visiting team are making like it’s the 1950′s all over again.

For the third game in a row, the daggers fans are occupying the western part of the ground (also known as the “traditional builders stand”) which also happens to be the newest. However, this is the first time that it has been allocated solely to the home support. While its great being in this part of the ground, it’s not right that the traditionally home terrace has been three quarters taken over by visiting fans. It’s also strange having an unimpaired view of the whole pitch.

The Daggers, despite coming into this game with a seven match unbeaten run, are taking too long to settle. Chris Lewington is performing heroics with a double save just after the goal, and tears into his defenders for allowing them the chance of a goal. Crawley are on top, and although there is the occasional glimpse of us mounting an attack, we are just second best.

This isn’t to say though that we are completely impotent when it comes to attacking, as we reinforcing our position at the top of the corner league for the division. Going into thus game, we had already secured over 250 and although not each one will translate itself into a goal, it’s gratifying to note that we can at least create a goal-scoring opportunity. Saying that though, we topped the table for corners in League 1 last year, and we still got relegated.

As we edge closer to a half time deficit, we equalize. Billy Bingham is allowed time to get the ball onto his left foot, and hits a shot from twenty-five yards which the Crawley keeper does well to get a hand on, but is unable to prevent it going into the net. There is enough time for some in the seats to engage in a “mini-poznan”, before the whistle is blown for the interval. There are a couple who try and claim that we deserve to be level at the break, but most just simply dismiss this, and point to the better chances that the away side have created.

Crawley continue in the second half, but Gary Alexander must have forgotten his shooting boots. His first effort of the half is perilously close to the top corner, but his second arrives just after the hour, and from what looks about six yards out, hits his shot over the bar.

Michel Kuipers now starts to earn his money, as the Daggers start to mount some pressure. Having flapped at crosses in the first half, now he is forced to make a good save from Woodall, whose shot kicks up off the ground just in front of the keeper. Another Daggers chance is created, but this time he is able to watch Ogogo’s shot go wide of the goal, following good work from Spillane and McCrory.

After being able to spend a bit of the first half taking in the view of surrounding area (you get a lovely view of the QE2 bridge at Dartford from the back of the stand), the second has been better as a contest, but the game is now coming to an end. Spillane’s shot in the last minute is blocked, and although there is a moment of panic in the Crawley box in stoppage time, it ends all square at 1-1.

The result keeps Crawley in third, but importantly for us, means that we will now have a sixth season in the Football League. Five week ago, we were finished. Even the most ardent Daggers fan would have found it difficult to believe in any other outcome than relegation to the Conference. However we are staying up, and have done it while achieving our longest unbeaten run in our five year stay in the league. The mood in the bar after the game was not quite the celebration that might be expected though. It has been a long year, and it felt more as though there was an air of relief than of anything else. It’s difficult to explain, but while it means that we are a league club for at least another twelve months, we are facing the prospect of big changes if we want to avoid another year like this one. At least we should be able to enjoy the last couple of games though, safe in the knowledge that our immediate future is secure.

Brendan Rodgers unsurprisingly named the same XI to face Bolton, to that which comprehensively condemned Blackburn to defeat seven days prior to Saturday’s match.

Swansea knew that a win at The Reebok would see them mathematically secure their Premier League status for the 2012-13 campaign with three fixtures still remaining. The Welsh side, largely backed for relegation before the commencement of the season, put themselves in the perfect position to do so with just 6 minutes played, when Scott Sinclair’s sweetly struck effort following a great move infield from the winger fired past Adam Bogdan and into the top corner.

Sinclair had a chance to double the Swans lead moments later however failed to retain the same composure as his shot blazed over the cross bar.

Swansea managed to hold their advantage for just 8 minutes as Chris Eagles levelled proceedings. Having had a penalty claim turned down moments earlier following a suspected hand ball inside the area from Ashley Williams, Bolton found themselves on the attack once more, and with danger man Petrov given freedom out wide, the Bulgarian midfielder was able to deliver a perfect cross into the box for Eagles who connected well to guide the ball past Vorm.

Petrov proved a large threat for the home side from the outset, commanding play on the left flank, constantly taking on and getting the better of Angel Rangel, he progressed into dangerous areas of the pitch and looked to create chances at every opportunity.

In a fairly scrappy first half encounter, neither side fully gained a foothold in the middle of the park as Swansea made uncharacteristic errors and conceded possession far too easily.

Swansea were dealt a blow midway through the half when Nathan Dyer was withdrawn from the game.  Having suffered with sickness prior to Saturday’s fixture, Dyer was evidently still suffering as he signalled to the bench for a change. The winger was replaced by Luke Moore, a change that was initially perplexing, given the support Dyer had provided for Rangel out wide and that Moore is far more accustomed to playing a central role.

Many were expecting the introduction of Wayne Routledge, however Rodgers decision to favour Moore proved effective as he posed a real threat on the wing, proving a handful for full-back Rickets, delivering numerous great deliveries into the box whilst also making many challenges out wide.

Swansea rode their luck a little at the end of the first half however some great last ditch defending coupled with wayward attempts on goal from the home side ensured the scoreline remained 1-1 going in at half time.

The visitors were the dominant force after the restart, quick to assert their authority, creating a flourish of chances to regain their advantage and steer themselves to mathematical safety.

Danny Graham’s work rate was once again outstanding, seeing far more of the ball than he has done over recent weeks, the Englander came close to restoring the Welsh sides lead on a number of occasions, seeing two efforts fire wide of the Bolton goal before a finely struck shot from the striker rebounded off the cross bar and back into open play.

Having rarely threatened in the second half, Bolton came close to overturning the deficit with 10 minutes remaining when Klasnic combined well with Ngog inside the area, the latter dispossessed by some great defending from Steven Caulker before he had time to unleash an effort.

Despite only picking up a point, Swansea’s more direct approach saw them work the ball far better in the final third as well as attempt more shots on goal. Swansea’s next fixture will see them reunited with former Swansea City goalkeeper Dorus De Vries who spent 4 years in South Wales before departing in the summer to join Wolves.

The game will be De Vries’ second of the league campaign and his first at The Liberty since last years play off semi final victory over Nottingham Forest.

Having impressed in his Premier League debut against Manchester City, De Vries will be hoping to stake a claim for a permanent place in the Wolves side, given that he is currently in the starting XI due to a Wayne Hennessey injury.

Swansea will be hoping to exploit De Vries’ weaknesses and compile further misery on Wolves season in order to finish their maiden Premier League campaign in the strongest manner

But all was not lost! Whilst the new Premier League teams shared the wealth, West Ham had the reformed Anglo-Italian Cup to look forward to. The cup had been played previously some twenty years before (although in the 1980′s it was a competition for non league teams) but for some reason the FA felt that having the FA Cup, League Cup and 46 League fixtures wasn’t enough. In previous seasons there had been the Full Members Cup (aka Simod and the Zenith Data Systems cup) but the Premier League clubs had stated they had no interest in that, so it was consigned to the scrap heap, and thus it was decided the second tier clubs needed a new distraction. So someone, somewhere came up with the crazy idea of a revamped Anglo-Italian Cup.

The first round saw the 24 First Division teams divided into eight groups of three. Everyone played one game at home and one away. The attendances in some of these games were poor to say the least. West Ham kicked off their campaign with a home tie to Bristol Rovers in September 1992. With Spurs almost filling White Hart Lane against Sheffield United, and a full house at Loftus Road for the visit of the Gunners, just 4,809 turned up at Upton Park – a Post War record low attendance. The 2-2 draw, with two goals from Julian Dicks helped neither side. Rovers then beat Southend United 3-0 meaning West Ham had to go to Roots Hall to win by four clear goals. They didn’t although the 3-0 meant a frantic call to the FA to determine what happened next. Despite leaps and bounds in technology it was down to a good old fashion coin toss in the referee’s changing room. Alvin Martin called “Tails” and West Ham were through. West Ham would be playing in Europe for the first time in ten years.

The draw was made in early October although the format was, to say the least confusing. Each English team would play four Italian sides, but they would be competing in a league of four English teams. So West Ham’s results against Cremonese, Reggiana, Cosenza and Pisa would be pitted against Derby County’s, Tranmere Rovers and Bristol City’s against the same four Italians. That meant in theory West Ham could possibly win all four games yet still finish bottom of the group if the other English teams had better goal difference.

Game one for the Hammers was away to Cremonese in November. Situated on the left bank of the Po river in Lombardy, Cremona is a town of beauty. Unfortunately it was an x-rate performance that saw the Italians come out as 2-0 winners in front of a paltry 1,600 fans. Nearly 200 West Ham fans arrived 10 minutes after kick off, having made the 26 hour journey by coach and joined a further 500 already in the Stadio Giovanni Zini. The Italian’s seemed hell-bent on assaulting Julian Dicks at all costs although he remained calm under pressure. The two nil victory for the Italians was too surprising as they had come into the game undefeated in the league prior to the game.

Game two was a home tie with AC Regiana from Emilia-Romagna. With the rain pouring down in East London and with the club retaining ticket prices on the high side for such a “prestigious” European tie, only 6,700 came to Upton Park to see West Ham win two-nil thanks to a brace from Clive Allen. However, the game was best remembered for the sending off of Trevor Morley for an off the ball incident. It was interesting to note that the games played in England featured Italian officials who seemed to be more lenient to their fellow countrymen to say the least. On the flip side, English referees went to Italy to referee games there.

If West Ham felt that the Italians in Cremonese hadn’t been interested in the competition, then the trip two weeks later to Cosenza in the south of Italy proved it beyond doubt. Only 800 fans turned up for the game in the Stadio San Vito, of which 250 had made the ridiculous long journey to the game from London. Most arrived during the afternoon of the game to be met with a huge storm and the pitch flooded. English referee Michael Gilkes initially postponed the game but faced with the “larger than life” West Ham fans outside the ground, agreed to re-assess later in the evening, by which time the water had been cleared.

Nothing had changed on the pitch though in terms of discipline. A memo had apparently been sent to all clubs involved in the competition to warm them to behave but it obviously wasn’t translated into Italian as they tried, but failed to intimidate the likes of Martin “Mad dog” Allen, Julian “Terminator” Dicks and “Chicken” George Parris. Hardly men you would want to pick a fight with.

The game was decided by another Clive Allen effort, this time a spectacular effort from some distance. The win gave West Ham a chance at progressing to the semi-finals but they needed a win in the final game, at home to Pisa.

Again the Hammers fans were hardly inspired to come and watch with only 7,100 paying to watch the game (although this was double the average attendance for this round) which will again be remembered for the trouble on the pitch rather than the skill. The game was essentially a dead rubber, with Cremonese already assured a semi-final place from the Italian side, and Derby County’s superior goal difference meaning the Hammers needed to win by five or six. However, try telling that to the Italian’s who again tried to kick West Ham off the park. Matthew Rush, the young West Ham midfielder became the ninth English player to be sent off at this stage of the tournament, joining Pisa’s Giovani Fasce (also the ninth Italian) for an incident in the second half.

Brentford and Derby County competed for the English place in the final, battling out a 5-5 draw with the Rams going through on away goals. In Italy it also went to form, with Cremonese easily overcoming Bari to set up the final, played at Wembley Stadium. The stadium was barely a third full for the final in March, with only a dozen or so Italians bothering to attend to see their side win 3-1. The following season West Ham found themselves in the Premier League and their opportunity to conquer England lost for another few years.

The tournament ran for a few more years, giving clubs such as Luton Town, Southend United, Port Vale and Charlton Athletic a very rare chance to play in Europe. English clubs didn’t fare very well with only Notts County emerging as winners of the tournament in its four year re-birth. The last winners were Genoa, beating Port Value 5-2 in 1996 before the tournament was once again consigned to the great trophy room in the sky along with the likes of the Leyland DAF Trophy, The Screen Sports Super Cup and the Watney Trophy.

Postscript: After a plea on Twitter, Danny Last has vowed to never stop until he gets the tournament re-instated.  As a Brighton & Hove Albion fan he quite fancies a trip to the likes of Vicenza and Verona.  Stay tuned to see how he gets on.

Swansea’s uncharacteristically lacklustre display at Loftus Road sparked concern amongst Swans fans due to the manner in which they slumped to a 4th consecutive defeat. However, efficient with their possession and direct with their approach, Swansea City delivered the perfect response to their woeful performance against Rangers by comprehensively claiming victory over Steve Kean’s Blackburn.

Gylfi Sigurdsson opened the scoring for the Welsh side, before Nathan Dyer and an own goal from Dann ensured Swansea stopped the rot and returned to winning ways. In doing so, condemning Blackburn to their 5th successive defeat.

Swansea’s trio of Allen, Britton and Sigurdsson returned to their exquisite selves on Saturday. Commanding play in midfield as well as showing a dogged hunger to regain possession on the rare occasion that they lost the ball.

Showing far more idea and shape in the final third, Swansea demonstrated that they are far from a one dimensional side as they moved through the phases with greater urgency and pace than they’ve done in previous weeks.  Swansea delivered many crosses into the penalty area and progressed into dangerous positions with far fewer passes which proved immensely effective.

The Swans appeared to have the perfect balance of rhythmic passing movements and penetration, allowing them to dictate the flow of the game whilst also punish their opponents by making their time on the ball count. Both Dyer and Sinclair controlled play out wide, neither fearful of taking on Blackburn’s full backs, they were largely to thank for Swansea’s dominance.

Having been critical of Sinclair’s slightly predictable play over previous weeks, the winger showed greater versatility to his game against Blackburn from start to finish. Taking the ball to the byline before delivering tempting balls into the box, occasionally moving infield and taking defenders on to mass effect whilst also playing as more of a team player, tracking back and completing far more challenges.

With 10 minutes of the opening half remaining, Gylfi Sigurdsson unleashed a thunderbolt strike from long range, forcing a great parried save from Paul Robinson. From the resulting corner, Sigurdsson found himself free on the edge of the box. Allen did well to pick him out with a great pass and the Icelander retained his composure to fire the ball past Robinson and open the scoring with his 7th goal for the club, his first at The Liberty.

The home side continued to assert their authority as Danny Graham came close before Nathan Dyer doubled Swansea’s lead with 2 minutes of the half remaining. Following some intricate passing in the box, Graham, who could have taken on a shot himself played the ball out to Dyer, who’s sliced effort beat Robinson, making a Blackburn comeback extremely unlikely going in at the break.

Organised and disciplined, Swansea’s persistence to push forward with pace proceeded after the interval and they continued to reap the rewards as a completely refreshing, spirited and faultless display was rounded off in the 63rd minute. Superb footwork and trickery from Scott Sinclair saw him weave through the Blackburn defence before pulling the ball back for Sigurdsson, who’s effort ricocheted off the post, hitting unfortunate Rovers defender Dann, who’s touch directed the ball into the back of his own net, compiling further misery on Blackburn’s afternoon.

Caulker’s height at the heart of Swansea’s defence again proved invaluable, as he denied Yakubu any time to influence the game, keeping him in check and cutting off his supply.  Having been static and shown little vision off the ball in their past four games, Swansea were looking a rejuvenated side, creating options by moving into great spaces.

Swansea’s performance was one of the highest ilk, and should restore the team with confidence that may have been lacking recently. Next up for the Swans, another side fighting for their Premier League status as they travel to Bolton, hoping to complete the double over Coyle’s men whilst I would not be tipping Blackburn Rovers to beat the first against the drop to the Championship come May time.

City were condemned to a third successive defeat on Friday afternoon due to a goal either side of the break from Cisse. Newcastle’s superior quality in the final third and their first-class clinical ability saw them run out 2-0 winners at The Liberty despite a dominant display from the home side.

The result keeps alive Newcastle’s chances of qualifying for the Champions League whilst Swansea’s third consecutive defeat raises further question marks about their cutting edge.

The timing of Newcastle’s opening goal did not help Swansea’s cause as it allowed the visitors to sit deep and absorb Swansea’s pressure. Seemingly content in the knowledge that they were to face large spells of the game without the ball, Newcastle showed great resilience and defended well when they needed to.

Although many may look at the stats and find it perplexing as to how Swansea were defeated given that they enjoyed almost 70% of possession, the difference was Newcastle’s ability to capitalise on their opportunities.

Despite Swansea making the brighter start and looking to assert their authority from the outset, Newcastle quickly demonstrated how they have found themselves fighting for a top four finish as January signing Cisse latched onto Cabaye’s through ball and found himself clear of Caulker and Williams in order to slot the ball past keeper Vorm with less than 5 minutes played.

Steven Caulker was undeniably the best Swansea player on the field against Newcastle. Single handedly trying to offer the urgency and ignite an exhilaration of pace that was otherwise lacking from the Swansea side. Making surging runs through the centre of the park, the defender posed the home sides biggest threat pushing forward, showing maturity beyond his years he offered versatility to Swansea’s approach. The majority of meaningful attacks came through the on loan centre back who continued to show his significance and importance to the Swansea side.

The visitors were looking far more incisive during their rare spells in possession as they broke with far more urgency and pace than their counterparts.  As well as sparking many dangerous attacks, Caulker was proving pivotal at the back, making vital interceptions to deny further clear cut chances.

Pardew’s side acknowledged that they would not win a passing battle with the home side therefore bided their time and pounced on some poor positional play from Swansea.

Once more Angel Rangel failed to complete his defensive duties as Swansea were forced into sacrificing the attacking threat of Dyer and at times Sigurdsson, in order to compensate for Rangel’s poor positional play. The defender was constantly exposed at the back, not possessing sufficient pace to push forward as often as he did.

With all his goals for Swansea so far coming away from home, Sigurdsson came close to opening his Liberty account on a number of occasions in the first half as he tested Krul with sensationally well struck long range efforts.

Newcastle were taking full advantage of their early goal, as they played the majority of the game with two defensive rows of four, making it hard for Swansea to break through.

For all of Swansea’s possession, their lack of off the ball movement made it increasingly difficult for the home side to progress into dangerous areas of the pitch.

Swansea continued to dominate possession after the restart, however they appeared to be playing with far more penetration as they were working their way into the final third and looking far more likely to test Newcastle keeper Tim Krul.

Brendan Rodgers opted to make a double substitution 20 minutes into the second half as Graham and Sinclair were entered into the fray in place of Dyer and Moore.

The changes almost made an instant impact as Sinclair was presented with a chance to haul the home side back on level terms, however from a tight angle blasted the ball into the side of the net.

Newcastle’s advantage was doubled 20 minutes from time when Cisse demonstrated great skill in order to chip the ball over the top of Vorm, with perfect placement, the Senegal striker scored his 7th goal in 4 games.

Swansea City may feel deflated having dictated so much of the game, however their one dimensional approach and strive to produce ‘the perfect goal’ cost them once more.

Swansea next face a trip to Loftus Road where they will be hoping to get back to winning ways against relegation candidates QPR. For Wednesday’s fixture, I would be inclined to hand a start to Jazz Richards at right back as I feel he is far more solid a defender than Rangel despite not offering the same threat pushing forward.

To me nothing sums up life in a Northern Town than watching football in Barnsley. The name itself has to be uttered with a Yorkshire tint in your voice and you cannot leave the town without sampling some Northern hospitality. It is smack bang in the middle of Yorkshire, and fiercely proud of its traditions.

The town is not just famous for being the birth place of England’s finest umpire (Bird), finest chat show host (Parkinson) and er, the second Englishman to manage the Republic of Ireland (McCarthy). It is the scene of one of the most iconic British films of all time – Kes. The youth of today have missed out on a rite of passage by not being made to watch this classic film in school. I can still remember those lessons near the end of term when the TV/Video trolley would be wheeled in and the teacher would make a big song a dance about the mystery of what was about to be shown (invariably it would be a double maths or english lesson so that they could make up our school reports and thus get down the pub at 3.30pm on the final day of term). It was always Kes though (although once or twice it was Woody Allen’s The Sleeper but only once we were all 16 and could be exposed to the “Orgasmatron”).

And there is only one scene that you need to know from that film. Brian Glover’s football match…

And from one football mastermind to another….Sam Allardyce. “At times this season we have played like Swansea“…That is quite a quote for any manager to compare their team’s play to the free-flowing attacking style of the Premier League newboys, but to come from Sam Allardyce it takes some believing. When certain fans publicly questioned his comments, he apparently said “All fans talk bollocks”.  Nothing like making yourself popular then Sam. Quite when we have played with the ball on the ground is a mystery to West Ham fans across the planet. Frankly, some of the recent home performances against the likes of Doncaster Rovers, Crystal Palace and Middlesborough have been classic displays of “Big Sam”. Despite the club having six forwards on the books, goals have been hard to come by, probably because the ball is hoofed up the pitch to players who cannot control it. Last Saturday in the game that was hyped as the “promotion showdown” West Ham lost 4-2 at home to Reading. Sam’s veiled comments this week have suggested that it has been the negative reaction of the fans rather than his tactics that has led to the poor home form. Tactical genius or what? In the four games we have played against the top two this season the Hammers have taken just one point.

But it has been the form on the road that has still given hope that an immediate return to the land of milk and honey was possible. Impressive wins on the road against teams around the play offs such as Cardiff City, Blackpool, Hull City and MIddlesborough had been tempered with the lack lustre home form that had seen just one win in the last seven at Upton Park. But here was a chance to get the show back on the road with a trip up the M1 to Barnsley.

Barnsley are a second tier team. Nobody can ever argue with this fact. They have played over 1,000 games at this level, more than any other club. In their 105 year history they have spent 74 seasons in the “second” division. They have gone down more than they have gone up, but for one season they dined at the top table of English football. Back on the 9th August 1997 they walked out at Oakwell to make their Premier League debuts against…West Ham United. After their opening forty five minutes of Premier League action they were 1-0 up thanks to a goal from Neil Redfern in the 9th minute. But West Ham bounced back with goals from John Hartson and Frank Lampard in front of 19,000 fans.

Barnsley’s top flight life was to be short lived. Heavy defeats to Arsenal (5-0), Chelsea (6-0) and Manchester United (7-0) underlined how difficult it was at the top level, although they did win away at Anfield when beating Liverpool actually meant something. Relegation was confirmed in April although they were ninety minutes away from a return in 2000 when they lost 4-2 to Ipswich Town in the Play Off final. Since then, it has mostly been life in the Championship.

Since then many managers have come and many have gone (ten in fact) trying to bring the dream back. This season it has been simply a “Barnsley” season. Almost safe already from relegation but no chance of a play off spot, they lost top scorer Ricardo Vaz Tê to West Ham in January and consequently the goals have dried up.

This was going to be my second game of the day – A Championship filling around my Rugby League sandwich. After heading across from supporting the London Skolars at Doncaster I would be heading straight after this down the lanes of South Yorkshire to Wakefield for their local derby against Castleford. But for now I was settled in the East Stand Upper Tier, ready (hopefully) to see the West Ham on the road form (although the last time I said that we then lost to Derby County).

Barnsley 0 West Ham 4 – Oakwell – Friday 6th April 2012
Will the real West Ham please stand up? It is almost impossible to know which West Ham will turn up on a weekly basis, but after 35 minutes of this game it was obvious that the team who still believe they can gain automatic promotion had put their big headphones on and got on the bus up the M1.  This was possibly one of the easiest games West Ham had faced this season, being rarely challenged by a team who are woefully short of goals and confidence.

The game was only six minutes old before Nolan gave West Ham the lead.  The home players, manager and fans claimed the West Ham captain was offside when he tapped home a Taylor corner (see what you think to the left).  The perfect start.

One of the major issues that the West Ham fans have levelled at Allardyce this season is his constant tinkering with the starting XI.  Whilst this was true for this game, the move of playing a midfield three of O’Neill, Nolan and Noble was simply stifling the life out of a Barnsley team very early in the game.  The ball was often played to the feet of both Vaz Tê and Nicky Maynard and it was the centre forward who doubled the Hammers lead in the 22nd minute when nobody failed to close Maynard down and he was allowed to run, and run and run before shooting low into the corner of the net. “We play on the floor, we play on the floor.  We are West Ham, we play on the floor”.

Just over ten minutes later and the game is over.  Barnsley’s keeper Button goes walkabout and despite beating Nicky Maynard with some fancy footwork his clearance goes straight to Mark Noble and he lobs the ball back into an empty net from the corner of the area with a fantastic strike.  ”We talk bollocks, we talk bollocks, we are West Ham, we talk bollocks”.

The referee brought an end to the torment and the fans reminded Allardyce again about the fact they talked bollocks but he didn’t even acknowledge them.  He is a big man, after all.

The second half starts with the Yorkshire rain falling on my head in the (exposed) East Stand.  I am told by the Fullers back at Northern HQ that BBC keep giving me a close up, and every time I appear to be on my iPhone. In truth I am struggling for some words to describe some of the excellent passing (on the floor and to feet) that the Hammers are displaying.  A fourth is never far away and in the 54th minute former home favourite Vaz Tê gets the goal that his performance deserves when he clinically finished from close range after the keeper can only parry a shot.  Three minutes later it could have been five when Maynard’s shot from distance hits the bar and bounces back into play.

The fourth goal starts a congo in the West Ham end.  Soon the line is a couple of hundred strong and with no room left to conga the stewards are forced to break up the fun.  ”We dance when we want, we dance when we want.  We are West Ham, we will dance when we want”.  Not to be left out the Barnsley fans start their own at the far end and gain a large round of applause from the Hammers.

The West Ham substitutions take the sting out of the game and it winds down slowly.  With five minutes left it appears as if there has been a fire drill as few home fans are still in the ground. When in Rome and all that so I made my way out and back on the road for the Long Good Friday part 3.

After Reading’s win earlier in the day, West Ham answered their critics with a display of patience passing football.  There can be few onlookers who can argue that this wasn’t a vintage West Ham performance – perhaps the fans were right all along, eh Sam?