Before kick-off on Saturday, the London Stadium announcer had clearly been instructed to make a big deal out of West Ham’s attendance being the highest in Championship history.
There was some whooping, some hollering and plenty of self-congratulation. The tone, probably inadvertent: look how massive we are guys.
It is a complicated record to set and cheer. On the one hand: fair enough to West Ham and their 50,000 season ticket-holders in the second tier. On the other: you are in the second tier.
The reason the attendance is exceptional at all is because the Hammers bungled their position of privilege in the Premier League. At best it is a back-handed boast.
The three relegated clubs have all endured sticky starts in the Championship. Wolverhampton Wanderers needed a late penalty to draw at home to Blackburn Rovers on the opening night of the season. On Sunday, Burnley were outplayed by West Bromwich Albion.
