A quirky tradition has developed among the West Ham United squad in the last couple of years.
After big wins and impressive performances, once manager David Moyes has concluded his post-match meeting with his players, the music goes on. The first track on the playlist in the months gone by has always been the same. ‘Cotton Eye Joe’ blares through the speakers, and the Hammers squad deservedly celebrate.
‘Cotton Eye Joe’ could be heard from the home dressing room once again on Sunday evening. An impressive 1-0 win over Manchester United warranted another rendition of Rednex’s 1995 dance-mix.
“I don’t know if I can say too much about Cotton Eye Joe,” Aaron Creswell told West Ham TV. “There is someone who might kill me if I say what really happened, but [our soft tissue therapist] Craig Mazur absolutely loves it.
“So we’ve just come in after three points, and the gaffer does his speech, and then the music comes on and it’s ‘Cotton Eye Joe’ and next minute Craig is there, no top on, swinging it around, and all the lads are just buzzing!
“It’s something we’ve had over the last couple of years now and it's just that great atmosphere we’ve got. We’ve had spells this year that have been really tough and everyone has been low on confidence, but nights like this make it special.”
Nights like this are, indeed, always special. Cresswell has come to cherish the special moments during his nine seasons in Claret and Blue. He himself has tasted victory over Manchester United on a number of occasions with West Ham, even scoring a sensational free-kick against them in a 2-0 win in 2019.
Each big performance, each hard-fought victory, holds a special place in the full-back’s heart.
“There’s no better feeling. That’s what you’re in football for. Every win you get, when you see the lads dancing about to the music and everyone is just in a great place and in a happy mood.
“I’m sure a lot of West Ham fans went home in a good place with that performance. The atmosphere was fantastic and it was a great victory.”
Not that the Irons got an easy right versus the Red Devils. Cresswell and his teammates had to fight and scrap in every tackle, chase down every ball, and make the most of every touch to claim the deserved three points.
Saïd Benrahma’s first-half strike may have been the difference, but the Irons enjoyed their fair share of opportunities. The Irons could have secured an even greater win, if not for two disallowed goals and some close penalty calls in the Manchester United area.
“We’ve had some tough games over the last three,” Cresswell continued. “Crystal Palace was disappointing and I thought we’d done well against Liverpool, and in the first half against Manchester City.
“The goal changed the game. On another night we could have had three or four, but right throughout the game we were in a good place. We were compact and together and we caught them on the counter. We had some great spells.”
It was a particularly impressive evening for a group of West Ham’s newest signings. The likes of Lucas Paquetá, Thilo Kehrer and Nayef Aguerd were among the names that shone for the hosts, although every player who stepped out for West Ham deserved plaudits for an esqusite showing.
Everyone, according to Cresswell, more than played their role in the huge three points. And each were almost definitely involved in the ‘Cotton Eye Joe’-themed celebrations.
“It’s always a tough transition when you bring in eight or nine players and, certainly for the boys who have come from abroad, it takes time for them to settle in,” the No3 added. “It’s a new language, a new team, a new everything.
“We knew it would be tough but I think this game, some of the performances from the new lads…Thilo Kehrer was excellent, as were Lucas Paquetá and Nayef Aguerd. All the new boys who have come in were excellent.
“Tonight was a real big effort, on the back of playing on Wednesday night. I know they played as well but I thought the lads were excellent. Everyone played their part. That atmosphere was special tonight too, especially in the last ten minutes, when you’re digging deep and everyone is cramping up.
“But what a night, and it’s a massive three points. We’re not completely safe but we’re getting close to being mathematically safe.”
