There are few characters left in football like Julian Dicks.
The West Ham legend is a key member of the coaching staff but is still not afraid to tell it as he sees it, as he reminisced about his playing days, his relationship with Slaven Bilic — and the rivalry with London neighbours, and Saturday's lunchtime visitors, Spurs.
“I hate Tottenham — I’m West Ham, and I don’t like Tottenham,” said Dicks, with a menacing grin.
“People might have a go at me, but it’s true. You have got Birmingham and Villa. You’ve got Liverpool and Everton. But West Ham hate Tottenham. It’s true to say they really do.
“I’m not sure it’s the other way round. But for the supporters and for me, as a player, I hated Tottenham. Just to beat them is a good feeling.
“At the end of last season, it killed their title hopes and, if there’s one club we want to stop winning the title, it’s Tottenham.
“Hopefully, this will be like the game last season. The crowd will get up for that one, they will make it rocking. If you do that, you have a chance of winning the game.”
When manager Bilic took over in summer 2015, one of the first phone calls he made was to Dicks to bring him into his coaching staff.
They were great friends as players at West Ham, and the link between club legend and the supporters was important for Bilic. But the days back then were very different.
Despite being on the staff, Dicks is not worried about being diplomatic as he recalls what he and Bilic got up to as room-mates the night before an away game.
Dicks said: “We got on really well — we both smoked, both liked heavy music, both liked a drink and we became room-mates.
“We got on well, on and off the pitch — I’ve got stories I can’t really tell!
“But, back then, players used to smoke in the hotel. We’d have a bottle of wine, half-a-bottle of Jack Daniel's, we’d listen to Iron Maiden. We had great times together.
“When he got the West Ham job, I got a phone call, I met him in London and, a couple of days later, we were flying out to Cork.
“We’ve had a fantastic relationship and I didn’t need to think twice.”
Nothing will ever beat his playing days, but Dicks is building his coaching reputation and earning respect as a vital member of Bilic’s team.
“I think some people forget I could also play football, I wasn’t just going out kicking people. I had no problems with my ability – but I used to love kicking people! Of course, it’s gone out of the game now.
“I watch games now and think, ‘That’s a good tackle’. Then the ref gives a foul and they get booked. For me, the game has gone too far that way now.
“There’s no leeway any more.
“There used to be a referee from Bristol, Roger Milford, I said to him once, ‘You’re having a f**king nightmare’. He turned to me and said, ‘You seen your f**king game today?’ You used to have a laugh and now you can’t talk to them.
“I never wanted to get into coaching or managing. All I ever wanted to do was to play football. I retired at 29, because of my knee, and I felt quite bitter. But I worked my way up before coming back to West Ham.”
Dicks admits the move to the London Stadium has taken a lot of getting used to, but the 1-0 win over Tottenham in May was a start.
“It was one of the best nights and best atmospheres I’ve ever witnessed and that includes at Upton Park,” he added. “It will take some time to get used to the stadium and it’s been tough at times.
“These days, the pressure builds from the fans and press, and it becomes impossible.
“We’ve always battled, and you get more results doing that than playing pretty football, so if you can mix the two...”