Tomas Repka – I know we all love him now, but remember his first few games for the club? His first ended in a red card and early bath after two late tackles left him sent to the changing rooms. Repka couldn’t have given a worse first impression in that match against Middlesbrough, and even managed to get sent off in his return match after his ban. That season, Repka went on to earn a whopping ten yellow cards. But Super Tom turned it all around when he pledged his allegiance to the Hammers and helped them back up to the top flight before returning to Sparta Prague to be close to his family.
Wayne Bridge – Where do I even start with this one? A less than impressive display from the defender meant that the West Ham faithful found it hard to warm to him. Well why would they when he was at fault for all three goals? Bridge had a torrid time marking Theo Walcott and the winger took full advantage, gifting a goal to Van Persie and taking one for himself in the process. Bridge also put the cherry on the top by conceding a penalty late on to gift Arsenal a 3-0 win. He was dragged off in the 78th minute, but by then the damage was done.
Stephen Bywater – Oh Stephen. Making his debut aged just 19 in 2000 when Shaka Hislop had to go off with a broken leg, Bywater let in four goals in the first half. Thankfully, the attacking side of the team went on to score 3 goals in the second half to bring the score to an impressive 5-4 West Ham victory. This is a really good bit of pub trivia by the way – just watch the baffled faces as you ask ‘Which goalkeeper let in four goals on his debut and still ended up on the winning team?’.
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Hello Katherine, I’m not going to join the ‘Stat Police’ on here but I wanted to recall what I think was doubting Tomas first game which was actually at home to Newcastle. He played a blinder and had Shearer in his pocket and everyone thre that day, including me, was saying what a find we’d made. It only went pear shaped the following week…I think. I also remember the horrible Mark Viduka winding him up to the point of distraction on another occasion which was not a pretty sight to behold!!