13 March 2024 , 17:29
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David Moyes is urging the employers of east London to let West Ham fans clock out early tomorrow afternoon.
The Hammers face Freiburg in the second leg of their Europa League round of 16 tie at the unusual kick-off time of 5:45pm.
And Moyes is hoping flexible working arrangements can see supporters make it to the London Stadium early enough to create a febrile atmosphere and help overturn a one-goal deficit.
“We've got a strange kick-off time for a club in London,” Moyes said. “We've got to hope fans get through the rush-hour and flexible working hours will allow people to get to the game in time. Culturally we don't normally kick-off games at this time but we understand Europe and TV.
"Most people who live in and around London will tell you it is difficult to get to places at that time in the evening.”
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Many supporters purchased advanced tickets for this showdown expecting it to be an 8pm start because all of their home ties in the past three seasons have started at that time.
That has led to fears of there being plenty of empty seats but Moyes knows that the quality of atmosphere will depend on how his team plays in their biggest game of the season so far. “If we perform well we'll get that atmosphere,” he said. “We need to give the supporters something.
“We're a goal down and we need our home support. We had a penalty decision which didn't go in our favour in the first leg and you don't know how much of a role the home support played in that not getting given.”
West Ham have won 13 of their past 16 home European encounters and the manager is urging his players to show they can thrive again with the pressure on. “If you want to be on the big stage then now is your chance to put your act on,” he added. “We are on the big stage. If you can't perform, don't go on stage.”
West Ham were denied a late penalty in the first leg last week. (Dave Winter/REX/Shutterstock)Moyes has drawn parallels with their triumph against Sevilla in this round two years ago - when West Ham overcame the same first leg scoreline to advance 2-1 on aggregate. And midfielder Tomas Soucek, who levelled that tie, hopes they can repeat the trick.
“It’s very similar and if you compare it, this will be a great game,” he said. “I know how we played from the first minute and it was the best atmosphere since I came here. The stadium was on fire and I hope this happens again. We need the crowd to give us that fire on the pitch to help us go through.”
Emerson Palmieri is a doubt and Maxwell Cornet remains sidelined but there are no fresh injury concerns.
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