Ignorant pundit Paul Merson has made a pathetic Butlins dig which belittles West Ham and has left many fans raging.
There had been much derision of the Europa Conference League after it was introduced last season.
UEFA’s third tier competition has been compared to the Intertoto Cup – the last trophy West Ham officially won in 1999 – and has been the subject of much mocking by English fans.
But serial winner Jose Mourinho, who has recently been linked with a move to West Ham to replace David Moyes, showed what it meant to him when he got a tattoo of the trophy after leading Roma to the inaugural Conference League title last season.
West Ham are now the favourites to win the competition, especially after the draw for the quarter and semi-finals last week coupled with the fact Lazio and Villarreal have both crashed out.
There are some quality, big-name sides left in the competition. As well as West Ham the last eight involves Fiorentina, Basel, Nice, Lech Poznan and Anderlecht.
Ignorant Paul Merson makes pathetic Butlins dig which belittles West Ham and leaves many fans raging
Hammers supporters have loved every minute of their European adventures. And of course winning the Conference League will not only end a 43-year major trophy drought but also ensure West Ham qualify for next season’s Europa League.
The Conference League has brought light to West Ham’s otherwise gloomy season.
But ignorant Merson has made a pathetic Butlins dig which belittles West Ham and leaves many fans raging.
Speaking about the Conference League on Sky Sports over the weekend, Merson absolutely savaged the competition.
The pundit, who supports Chelsea, mocked the tournament saying the Blues would not want to be seen in the Conference League.
And Merson effectively said the competition is worthless, saying the prize for the winners is a trip to Butlins.
“They (Chelsea) wouldn’t want to play in the Europa Conference League, no chance,” Merson said on Sky Sports.
“You win a trip to Butlins if you win that don’t you?
“They won’t want to play in that on a Thursday night, no! Europa League? Yea course… the Europa Conference, I don’t see big players wanting to play in that on a Thursday.
“I mean half the teams you don’t even know.”
READ: Mischievous Mourinho names club he thinks will win the Conference League as West Ham eye glory
Yes in the group stages there are some real minnows in the Conference League.
But Merson is being facetious and showing real ignorance and arrogance with this dig.
And all he is doing is showing himself up.
West Ham fans have been responding to his dig in big numbers. And many are saying they have now lost respect for him as a pundit.
If it was good enough for Italian giants Roma and Mourinho – who got a tattoo of the trophy on his arm no less – then it is plenty good enough for West Ham.
You can see Merson’s full rant in the post below.
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