Promotion earns respect for Hammers boss

By James Truby
June 11 2005

Season 2004-2005 has been a long season, for Alan Pardew it was make or break as the demands of a volatile Upton Park faithful at times threatened his position.

Defeats at Preston and at home to Derby County, were notable dark days for a man who had to endure the boo boys that reminded him that he was now manager of a club with high expectations.

To his credit, Pardew always fronted his critics and never allowed his team to face their demanding faithful alone. He was never afraid to hit back and at times one got the feeling that Alan Pardew and West Ham were not going to be the match made in heaven that so many desperately needed. However from these dark moments the team appeared to gain strength and this was to be so noticeable in the after match comments made by some of the players.

Were some of the fans right to boo? Did they help or hinder the team?

Pardew often found it difficult to understand the criticism, he had previously worked at a club where their history did not hold their future to ransom, while he had to totally rebuild a team from scratch after the Roeder years and for him this was a hard pill to swallow. In many ways a lot of the critics (myself included), had a hangover from our days in the top flight with the likes of Cole, Ferdinand, Lampard, Di Canio and co, yes some of those players left but whatever Brown could sell it just seemed that another young player would suddenly come into the first team and of course there is always the more appealing prospect of a mid week match against Arsenal as opposed to a trip to Gillingham.

To put it bluntly, we had been used to a lot better and the amount of time we spent in the Premiership had led us to a rather complacent attitude that we were part of the furniture. This was of course taken away and like all fans we expect it's return to be immediate, we are no different and it was from this that we were to endure many a tense afternoon at the Boleyn. Booing your team in football is the same as singing, it sends out a message and sometimes that message needs to be said whatever your argument may be. West Ham fans have always spoke their mind and if they see a poor game then they let the manager know, whatever the division and no matter how honest a performance. Sir Alex Ferguson was said to be one match away from the sack in 1990 after much criticism from the fans, his team rallied around, won and drew strength. For Alan Pardew's West Ham this is the same, they had to comeback when everyone wrote them off , they proved their detractors wrong and now they can move on all the better for their experience this season.

Yes at times the atmosphere at Upton Park did hinder the players but it may of been the experience they needed to gain before embarking on their premiership adventure.