There was a change of scenery for Cheikhou Kouyate this week, as he swapped Chadwell Heath for London City Airport to surprise a Season Ticket Holder
There was a change of scenery for West Ham United powerhouse Cheikhou Kouyate this week, as he swapped Chadwell Heath for London City Airport to surprise Season Ticket Holder Gavin Bayer.
The Senegal midfielder was keen to remind Hammers fans just how important they are to the playing staff and took great delight in thanking a gobsmacked Bayer for renewing his seat in the Bobby Moore Stand.
All in a day’s work for the 25-year-old, who is now setting his sights on Sunday’s Barclays Premier League showdown with Manchester City. Fresh from their derby defeat at Old Trafford, Kouyate says beware the wounded animal, though he admits if ever there is a good time to take on Manuel Pellegrini’s men, this is likely it.
Cheikhou, we’ve come down here to meet a supporter this afternoon and clearly he was shocked…
CK: “We came to surprise him and thank him because the supporters are really important to us and Gavin has renewed his Season Ticket for next season. So we came here to thank him and to show that the supporters are really important for the Club but also for us, the players. I enjoyed coming here to say thank you and hand over his gift.”
Next season, of course, is going to be particularly special, with it being the last at the Boleyn Ground…
CK: “Next season is the last one at Upton Park, after that we’re off to the Olympic Stadium, so next season will really be special. We hope the supporters will come in their numbers, to really try with us to get into the top six or seven and try to grab a European place. The players are important, but the supporters are also really important for the Club.”
You’d imagine it’s going to be tough to get tickets next season…
CK: “Upton Park is legendary, that's where West Ham has grown up and they've played a lot of games there. The atmosphere there is top phenomenal, a lot of people are going to miss it, even me who's not been there so long, it's as if I've been playing there for years. But we'll see next year how it goes.”
The Senegal midfielder was keen to remind Hammers fans just how important they are to the playing staff and took great delight in thanking a gobsmacked Bayer for renewing his seat in the Bobby Moore Stand.
All in a day’s work for the 25-year-old, who is now setting his sights on Sunday’s Barclays Premier League showdown with Manchester City. Fresh from their derby defeat at Old Trafford, Kouyate says beware the wounded animal, though he admits if ever there is a good time to take on Manuel Pellegrini’s men, this is likely it.
Cheikhou, we’ve come down here to meet a supporter this afternoon and clearly he was shocked…
CK: “We came to surprise him and thank him because the supporters are really important to us and Gavin has renewed his Season Ticket for next season. So we came here to thank him and to show that the supporters are really important for the Club but also for us, the players. I enjoyed coming here to say thank you and hand over his gift.”
Next season, of course, is going to be particularly special, with it being the last at the Boleyn Ground…
CK: “Next season is the last one at Upton Park, after that we’re off to the Olympic Stadium, so next season will really be special. We hope the supporters will come in their numbers, to really try with us to get into the top six or seven and try to grab a European place. The players are important, but the supporters are also really important for the Club.”
You’d imagine it’s going to be tough to get tickets next season…
CK: “Upton Park is legendary, that's where West Ham has grown up and they've played a lot of games there. The atmosphere there is top phenomenal, a lot of people are going to miss it, even me who's not been there so long, it's as if I've been playing there for years. But we'll see next year how it goes.”
Manchester City on Sunday, it’s obviously going to be difficult, but anything’s possible…
CK: “Anything's possible in football, but we mustn't forget who we’re up against. They're a wounded animal, because they need points, so they have to wake themselves up to win.
“We need the points as well, because we want to remain in the top ten. It's not going to be easy because we'll be up against one of the best teams in the country and last year’s champions of England. If we're going to get anything there, we have to enjoy it and really play as a team and work as a team.
We’ve beaten them once already this season, does that boost confidence?
CK: “It's not going to be easy. It's away from home and they'll be out to win, because they've played three or four matches, I think, without winning. A team like Manchester City can't afford to make mistakes, so for us it's a good time to catch them. It's a good time to face them. But we mustn't underestimate them, there’s life in them yet.”
You’ll be going head to head with Yaya Toure, a formidable battle…
CK: “Yaya is a role model of mine, an idol. I dreamed of being like him when I was younger. He has played for top clubs and given great performances. For three, four years, he was the best African player.
“He's a top man who is ready to help, ready to help all the African players. For me it's always a pleasure to come up against him on the pitch. It's always special when I play against him. I've played against him for Senegal against the Ivory Coast and we've generally lost, I think we drew the once. Hopefully Sunday will be the day for West Ham.”
CK: “Anything's possible in football, but we mustn't forget who we’re up against. They're a wounded animal, because they need points, so they have to wake themselves up to win.
“We need the points as well, because we want to remain in the top ten. It's not going to be easy because we'll be up against one of the best teams in the country and last year’s champions of England. If we're going to get anything there, we have to enjoy it and really play as a team and work as a team.
We’ve beaten them once already this season, does that boost confidence?
CK: “It's not going to be easy. It's away from home and they'll be out to win, because they've played three or four matches, I think, without winning. A team like Manchester City can't afford to make mistakes, so for us it's a good time to catch them. It's a good time to face them. But we mustn't underestimate them, there’s life in them yet.”
You’ll be going head to head with Yaya Toure, a formidable battle…
CK: “Yaya is a role model of mine, an idol. I dreamed of being like him when I was younger. He has played for top clubs and given great performances. For three, four years, he was the best African player.
“He's a top man who is ready to help, ready to help all the African players. For me it's always a pleasure to come up against him on the pitch. It's always special when I play against him. I've played against him for Senegal against the Ivory Coast and we've generally lost, I think we drew the once. Hopefully Sunday will be the day for West Ham.”