We had a golf day this week, organised fantastically by Tony Cottee, with one current or former West Ham United player per team playing with three supporters, testing themselves on a tough course. As always on these days there are some dubious handicaps being thrown about and some of the club house scores had a massive question mark over them ie: Jimmy Walker's team! But the weather was great and the company was good. We thank the London Club for their hospitality, Tony Cottee and his team for their organisation and the supporters who participated. We also raised over £2,000 to split between our club charities the Richard House Hospice and Bobby Moore Fund.
On the subject of Bobby Moore, this weekend's match is dedicated to raising money and awareness for the charity that was set up in his memory. There will be collections going on around the ground so I urge supporters to give generously, but not only that pick up a leaflet and watch the DVD that will be played before the match to educate yourselves about bowel cancer. It goes without saying Bobby Moore is a true legend of the game and held in the highest regard especially at West Ham and he left behind him a great legacy. Be true to his memory at the weekend by supporting this very worthwhile cause.
I welcome the players, staff and fans of Newcastle. With three games to go there is still plenty to play for this season and they will not come any tougher than Newcastle at home who are undefeated in the last six and on a very good run of form. Kevin Keegan seems to be getting the balance right and with Owen, Martins and Viduka looking sharp and playing in a dovetail formation, we will have to be at our best to contain them.
With two very difficult games coming up after this it is vital we do not lose the game this weekend to ensure we keep a gap between eleventh and tenth place. It's been a frustrating season for everyone involved with the club but I think it would be unjustified for us not to finish tenth as that is the least everyone deserves.
On reflection it has been a difficult couple of weeks with the same problems occurring i.e. injuries and that has forced the manager's hand with team selection and rushing players back in who are not quite match fit. Losing Matthew Upson and Jonathan Spector the day before the Derby game was a huge blow and ultimately it has effected the team's confidence and has resulted in a very frustrating time for all. However, the changing room spirit is very high, the lads are very much together and I think that is the one thing that has remained strong and evident throughout all the tests that have been thrown at us.
It was a strange atmosphere last Saturday. It was obvious confidence was low against a team who we should have beaten convincingly and although the performance was below par I think the spirit that we have got us the result in the end. I do sympathise with the terraces however, being booed off by a minority of fans when you have won is a hard one to weigh up. It has hurt the boys but we will respond in the right manner this weekend. I do send a message out to those who booed Luis Boa Morte before he had even come on the field, there is absolutely no place for this kind of behaviour towards a player who, by his own admission, may have struggled with form this season but has always given 100 per cent effort for the team. West Ham as a club, supporters and players alike, are bigger and better than that and I urge you to stay positive and help us finish the season in the top half.
Lucas Neill