Hammers midfielder Lee Bowyer says he is ready to face the gauntlet of hate that may await him as he returns to his old stomping ground, when the Hammers face Leeds tomorrow afternoon.
Bowyer, who joined the Hammers for a negligible fee last month returns to Elland Road for the first time since returning south.Yet despite the frosty reception apparently awaiting the former Elland Road idol, Bowyer claims he is looking forward to returning to the club where he spent six years of his career.
"I'm looking forward to it," he said, "and just hope that the Leeds supporters will give me a decent reception."
Yet it appears that a good reception for their former midfield star is the last thing Leeds supporters have on their minds; a quick scan around some of the Leeds United forums this week shows comments ranging from "I can't wait to boo him" to "piece of scum, dragging our name through the mud then p*ssing off when its all finished with. I hate him."
No doubt the travelling Hammers fans will enjoy the banter - especially after Leeds supporters boasted of their record signing two years ago at Upton Park by chanting 'is that the Rio Stand', in reference to the rebuilt West Stand which was paid for - in part, at least - by the sale of Rio Ferdinand to the then emerging Leeds United. How quickly fortunes change in football.
Bowyer's new boss, Glenn Roeder clearly expects Bowyer's reception to be less than welcoming. He tried to play to play down his return, saying:
"Lee grew in stature as a player in the time he was there and he became an England player, so Leeds will always have a special place in his heart and rightly so," he said.
"It is an important game for all of us but it is extra special for Lee who had over six years at Leeds. He learned in that environment and because of that he is the player that he is today.
"But the rest of us must make it special for us as well because there are a vital three points at stake."
Whilst Bowyer's former team mate, Seth Johnson, who is set for his second start of the season called for restraint from his own supporters.
"It will be interesting", he said. "We will have to see what happens, but I just hope he gets a good reception because he did well for us in his time here.
"But I'm still not sure how the fans will react to Lee."
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