West Ham defender James Collins has revealed the conversation that he had with a pitch invader during the Hammers’ 3-0 loss to Burnley in the Premier League.
The two teams met at the London Stadium in the final game before the international break, but the clash was marred by constant crowd trouble and protests by Hammers fans.
Several supporters invaded the pitch, with one taking a corner flag and planting it in the centre-circle, and it is that fan with which Collins spoke to on the field.
In an interview with the Daily Mail, he first admitted that the trouble had affected the players, saying: “It’s like nothing else I’ve experienced in football. You can obviously sense that the fans are disappointed and frustrated at the minute but that certainly didn’t help anyone. And certainly not us on the pitch.
“We went 1-0 down, then all that happened in the stands and before you know it we’re 2-0 down and the game’s gone. So yes, obviously it affected us. We’ve got vital games coming up. And to play in fear of going 1-0 down and for that to happen again or something to go off in the stand… well, that’s not great, is it?”
“I just said, “What do you think you’re doing?” I have to say I was surprised to see this was an older gentleman. He said, “Sorry Ginge, this is what I feel I’ve got to do”. I said, “You can’t do that. If you want to do something this isn’t the way to do it. We’re still trying to win the game,”” explained Collins.
West Ham face another home game this weekend as relegation rivals Southampton visit the London Stadium on Saturday afternoon, with extra security to be in place around the ground.
OPINION
It is interesting to hear about the conversation that went on between Collins and the pitch invader. And it is obvious that the fans’ actions on that day badly affected the Hammers’ performance. The supporters possibly didn’t really think about the effect that there actions would have on the players, or they just didn’t care. Either way, if this happens again on Saturday, there will be massive issues for the club. They are in trouble in the table and cannot afford to be dealing with more fan trouble.