As first games of the season go, West Ham couldn’t have asked for a worse scenario.
Manuel Pellegrini’s men faced the reigning Premier League champions at home, and while they put up a fight for the first half or so, the inevitable collapse happened in the second half, as Manchester City drove home with a 5-0 win in the bag.
However, the fans still turned up, made the noise required to lift their players’ spirits through a difficult time, and that’s why West Ham remains such an attractive club for players.
Issa Diop said as much in an interview for France Football this week, asked directly about the support the team receive on a weekly basis.
He said: “They’re incredible. Every week, the stadium is full, there’s 60000 people behind us every week. Everywhere we go, the away fan section is full. We can’t ask for more, and they’re very, very respectful. I live in an area where there’s loads of Hammers fans, and they’re really nice to me.”
This might have come as a shock to the young defender, whose first impressions of West Ham fans came via Hollywood.
He explained: “When I was younger, I saw a film called Hooligans (the French name for Green Street) that showed very different West Ham fans to the ones I know. If you want to know what West Ham is, it’s not hard. It’s one word: “Nobs”. “Nobs” is our captain, Mark Noble, who sometimes tells us what it’s like to be a Hammer.
“When you come to the stadium, in the dressing room, you see the pictures of former players, you read their stories, and I’m in my element here. If you asked me what I’d want to change these days: nothing. I’m happy. I wouldn’t swap it for anything in the world.”
Instantly becoming a fan favourite after his great performances last season, the 22-year-old will continue to grow at West Ham over the years, and it seems like he wants to stay there long-term.
Diop featured in 38 appearances in all competitions last season, scoring two goals and picking up five yellow cards.
