are one game away from the Europa Conference League final and could end a 43-year wait for some major silverware and club legend Tony Cottee says that is a very big deal.
A Hammers man through and through, the former striker will be amongst fans at AZ Alkmaar as David Moyes’ men look to press home their advantage on Thursday, having won the home leg 2-1.
Getting to the final and getting their hands on the trophy would see captain join an exclusive club featuring Bobby Moore and Billy Bonds. Cottee, thanks to , explains how much it means
The Hammers head to AZ Alkmaar with a 2-1 lead but has been at pains to say the tie is not over.
I was at the game last week and AZ certainly showed enough to merit what David has said. They’re a good possession team, young, very energetic.
But I think the second leg is tailor-made for , they’re a really good counter-attacking team.
They’ll let them have the ball but I’m pretty sure we’ll score at least one goal on the night.
How big would it be for West Ham to go on and lift this trophy?
It depends where you are as a football club. The Conference League… is it good for or ? Of course it’s not. It might well happen to Tottenham this year.
For West Ham it’s completely different. It’s 43 years since they beat Arsenal to lift the FA Cup – I was there as a 14-year-old – so for a club like West Ham you can’t over-emphasise what a big deal this is.
Any thoughts on the big contrast between league and European form?
At the start of the season two key personnel left the dressing-room area – Mark Noble, the captain, and Stuart Pearce, who was a big part of the coaching staff.
On the other hand you had about ten new players coming in so I’m not surprised in many respects. But barring absolute miracles they’re going to be safe this season.
Compared to the previous two seasons it’s obviously not been good enough but I’m not surprised it has been a transitional season.
But fair play to the boys, I think if West Ham can win the Conference League and qualify for the Europa League, it’s the same as finishing in fifth position.
There is constant speculation about . How hard a decision do you think he’s got to make?
I don’t think it’s hard at the moment because I think Declan is fully focused on winning games for West Ham and picking up the cup.
Only Bobby Moore and Billy Bonds have lifted cups for West Ham so if you get in that class then you’re an iconic legend for ever more. We all know he’s got a big decision coming in the summer.
He’ll have the pick of any club in the world if he decides to leave. There’s two things Declan wants to do; he wants to play in the Champions League and he wants to win trophies.
As a player you made your big move to Everton, do you feel supporters understand the conflicting emotions players in that situation go through?
I think it’s about leaving in a dignified way. If Declan lifts the cup and gives the West Ham fans one of the best nights of their lives you’re not going to hold it against him for ever more.
I left in the 1980s and it was really difficult for me – I’m a West Ham fan – but when you feel as a player that you need to go somewhere else to achieve your dreams you take that moment.
It’s a short career. It’s not about money, it’s about what Declan wants to achieve as a footballer.
Tony Cottee was talking with Online Casino Ground.
