A player who exited West Ham United nine months ago was in attendance at the London Stadium for our Europa League clash with Bayer Leverkusen last night.
The West Ham vs Leverkusen Europa League clash was an enthralling one to watch for the Hammers fans.
David Moyes set up his team on the front foot, and we caused Xabi Alonso’s side all sorts of problems inside the first-half.
That performance last night was literally all we ask for as a fanbase – it’s just such a shame that Moyes himself, pundits and fans of other clubs don’t seem to grasp that fact.
Player in crowd for West Ham vs Leverkusen clash
Had our approach to the game out in Leverkusen last week not been so cowardly, who knows what might have happened?
It really was a cracking performance last night – one that united the fanbase. The only thing that left a sour taste in my mouth was the fact that Lucas Paqueta didn’t bother to show up to support his teammates.
And what made the Brazilian’s absence even stranger was a photo that has emerged showing someone who doesn’t even play for us at the moment in attendance…
Player in crowd for West Ham vs Leverkusen clash
As the Hammers took the game to the Bundesliga champions, the London Stadium was absolutely rocking.
Whilst Paqueta was MIA, Emerson Palmieri and Alphonse Areola watched on from the stands.
However, there was somewhat of a surprise face in the London Stadium crowd as well. Sean Whetstone took to his official X account to post the picture:
Areola, Emerson and Downes nervously watch the second half of the Europa League quarter final at the London Stadium pic.twitter.com/qIYniFbZvG
— West Ham Football (@westhamfootball) April 18, 2024
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Flynn Downes left West Ham to join Southampton on a season-long loan in the summer of 2023.
The 25-year-old will apparently be sold by the Hammers this summer, but he’s a boyhood West Ham fan at heart, so he’ll always be linked to the club.
It was great to see Downes supporting the team in East London last night, unlike Paqueta! Moving forward, perhaps it will be better to have more players with the midfielder’s passion for the club at the London Stadium.
The Brentwood-born midfielder turning up for the West Ham vs Leverkusen clash shows that he still cares deeply about us.
If he does move on in the summer transfer window, it will be a real shame.
