Flamboyance United

 I am not sure what it is about East London, but they love the eccentric players at Upton Park. Back in the olden days there were Bobby Moore, then Sir Trevor Brooking, and in more recent times Paolo Di Canio and who could forget Carlos Tevez.

 Whether it be the goals which kept the Hammers up in the season of 2006/07, or the flamboyance of the Italian Di Canio, the fans at the Boleyn love a player who not only gives their all for the claret and blue, but have a presence about themselves on the field.

 Step in Demba Ba. The boy from Senegal who took a strike at his German club Hoffenheim in order to push through a deal to the English Premier League. Reports surfaced that he had dodgy knees, and subsequently he failed his medical at Stoke City during the Januay transfer window.

 West Ham took a punt on the striker, with Ba telling the fans that he would be the one to score the goals to keep the Hammers up. Whilst skeptical at first, the boy has given myself and the fans in England a sense of belief that he can be this season's equivalent of Carlos Tevez.

 Just look at his stats for the club since debuting in the league against Birmingham City. He was a late sub against the Blues and was impressive seeing one of his shots rattle off the crossbar. He followed this up with an inspired double against fellow strugglers West Brom at the Hawthorns, which saw the Hammers come from 3-0 down at halftime to earn a vital point.

 His next league start was on the weekend against Liverpool. Demba was at his lethal best, scoring from a diving header and being a menace for Jamie Carragher all game. He has been likened to a young Didier Drogba, with his great touch, skill and strength on the ball.

 The supporters at West Ham love their football. They call themselves "The Academy of Football", with many of England's best starting their careers in the East End. When reports came out in January that Sam Allardyce was being lined up to replace Avram Grant, the fans spoke out against the move. Allardyce, a seasoned campaigner of the long ball game, would have been seen as an un-West Ham like manager. Many supporters even said that they'd rather see the club relegated to the Championship than see Allardyce take over.

 They adore their football at Upton Park, and their is never a dull moment as the Hammers look to avoid relegation yet win the FA Cup at the same time.