WEST HAM chief Karren Brady returns with her weekly diary in The Sun.
This week it’s West Ham’s win over Tottenham Hotspur, Rafa Benitez and the Hammers dreaming of ending Liverpool’s Champions League hopes
Sat, May 6
NO LONGER do we have an Oxfam defence, that’s one that gives freely to needy causes, and so today West Ham supporters can sit back and watch the trials of other teams trying to break free from the relegation zone.
One home goal and three consecutive clean sheets have done it for us.
Manuel Lanzini’s winner against Spurs last night carried a lot of significance, both at the London Stadium but also at White Hart Lane where title dreams were tucked back under the pillow.
I don’t think many Hammers people are sobbing at this.
Sun, May 7
BLACKBURN manager Tony Mowbray is shortly flying to India to see Rovers’ owners, the Venkys.
It seems much more likely he’ll return with a free chicken than the open purse he needs to aid the relegated club’s challenge for immediate success in League One.
The downward plunge of the Premier League champions of 1994-5 began immediately the chicken-bits suppliers controversially sacked Sam Allardyce seven years ago.
And, when it comes down to the nitty gritty, it’s the fans who are left with the carcass.
Mon, May 8
DETAILS of the pay-out to football agent Mino Raiola in the world record £89million Paul Pogba transfer from Juventus to Manchester United are revealed today and it appears that he operated for all the three parties and made £41m for himself.
By any stretch of the imagination this is an obscene amount of money. I have not met Mino and I hope I never do.
In my experience most agents are only interested in making themselves rich and are extremely difficult to deal with.
Tue, May 9
THE time-old question “who judges the judges?” is answered today by FIFA: “We do.”
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The newly cleaned-up version of world football’s governing body looks just like the Sepp Blatter regime, suddenly sacking the two ethics committee chairmen on no grounds that they are prepared to tell us about.
If you are suspicious that the pair were doing their jobs only too well, then you are very naughty for being so cynical.
Wed, May 10
LAST NIGHT over 1,000 West Ham fans gathered for the WHU Player Awards, which ended with Michail Antonio picking up the Hammer of the Year trophy.
The legendary Billy Bonds also gave a moving tribute in memory of the greatest Hammer of all, Bobby Moore, who was honoured with our Lifetime Achievement award.
Michail has been absolutely outstanding since he joined the club nearly two years ago, and his new deal is fully deserved.
Thu, May 11
CHAMPIONSHIP champions Newcastle are lucky to have Rafa Benitez as manager and the 57-year-old is lucky to have Newcastle with their huge and deeply loyal following.
I sense Benitez is happy at a club with a similar working-class character to Liverpool where he is still regarded with much affection, not least for winning the Champions League.
In Sports Direct owner Mike Ashley, he has the west financial means to give the Premier League a real go next year.
Mike talked about ‘making your own luck’ but in football you also need a good manager and great players.
He has at least one of these ingredients. And in my experience the rest follows - as long as you have a big cheque book, which Mike certainly has.
Fri, May 12
MANUEL LANZINI is no doubt delighted to see that Lionel Messi has West Ham’s little wizard’s shirt among his collection on a wall at his home.
It is recognition of the No 10’s beguiling skill just as much as his second place as the club’s Player of the Year.
Lanzini, like the winner Michail Antonio, is to us as crucial an attacking link as Philippe Coutinho is to Liverpool.
Jurgen Klopp’s side visit the London Stadium on Sunday when we hope to continue in the role of destroyers of good hope.
Last week we hammered a nail into the Spurs title balloon, this time we intend to damage Liverpool’s Champions League chances. That’s the way of competitive football.
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