West Ham United have been here, there and everywhere this pre-season with trips to Austria, Germany and a trip to Portugal on the Horizon where they will wrap up their pre-season with a game against SC Braga.
After starting a week earlier than most other clubs in there training, the Hammers have had an up and down summer, where they have been defeated but also had some moral boosting comebacks and wins as they prepare for their Premier League return on the 18th of August against Aston Villa.
But just what have we learnt about this pre-season?
The fastest growing Hammers website is now on Facebook, click the link to be entered into our up and coming competitions http://www.facebook.com/pages/ForeverWestHamcom/200938616608282
5. We have superb fans- Even though most pre-season games are played at a slow tempo and can be dull affairs the Hammers faithful still travel in their droves around Europe to follow their team. In Dresden which saw the Irons defeated comfortably by their German counterparts, West Ham took a couple of thousand fans to add to the full house that was there. As well as selling out there end at Southend and taking a thousand to Oxford. Once again Hammers fans I salute you.
4. It’s not about results, it’s about fitness- I am sick to death of looking at forums when fans moan about results in pre-season, fans are quick to forget the last time that we were unbeaten in the summer friendlies was under Avram Grant, and we all know what happened then. Friendlies are about gelling new players, allowing players to regain their fitness after their summer jollies with their wife and kids. The Hammers have also played against team that are further ahead in their pre-season. We have looked solid and two of our key players have been playing in the Olympics so there is little to worry about.
Looking for experience? Just want to be heard outside of the Boleyn? We are currently looking for writers, drop us an email at foreverwestham@snack-media.com for more details
3. We are in need of a few defenders- Sam Allardyce had to get Bilel Mohsni just to help the Hammers field a decent defence in pre-season with James Tomkins away on Olympic duty with Team GB. With the Hammers moving for James Collins the Irons have started to eradicate that issue. With rumours circulating that the Hammers are closing in on another defender and full back, it could make all the difference come the 18th of August.
2. We need to learn how to defend set pieces better- Having sat through the Dresden game on West Ham TV it became clear that when a ball comes in the ball always seems to fall on the head of an opposition player. Whether that it a goalkeeping issue or a mix and match of new defenders in the side, with Jussi and Henderson both vying for that number one slot they must command the box. It is clear that Big Sam needs to get the players heading and clearing balls galore in training.
1. The form of Nicky Maynard and Ricardo Vaz Te- One of a few positives from this pre-season is the form of the younger players. Maynard in particular has been impressive, he will be vying for a starting position in a tussle with Modibo Maiga, Carlton Cole, and RVT which mean pre-season could be vital for players like Maynard. He bagged goals against Southend and Colchester means he has took the eye as well as Sam Baldock who seems set to leave, much to the disappointment of many West Ham fans. Vaz Te has kept up his confidence in front of goal, with a brace against Rot Weiss Erfurt. So despite the negative result, some individual performances have given the fans something to smile about.
Keep believing, this seasons going to be great.
Come on you Irons!
Tweet me @Bowdenwhu
Ever dreamt about getting paid for reading about West Ham? Well now you can make dreams a reality http://bit.ly/ffc-foreverwestham-lp
I wish I shared your optimism. I dont. Our back line is a mess. The first six games are crucial to our hope of survival and we look nowhere near ready. Sam has never been relegated in his managerial career, so there is that to hang my hopes on. But Im very worried.
Im sorry but i don’t agree that pre-season is about fitness and not results. Ok maybe for the first few weeks yes but when you go to Ipswich 2 weeks before the season starts with a starting 11 of first team players and you get rolled over 3-1 then you have the right to be concerned. The early stages of pre-season are about fitness the latter stages are about getting your tactics and formation spot on.
I agree with USA Dave, I am naturally a glass half full type person but you seem to be blind to what most of us are seeing if you truly believe what you have written. It is not that we have lost games in Pre-season but that we have lost games to “lesser” opponents in an awful manner, with unacceptable displays at any time. Let’s be clear we are short another CB, a RB, a LB, a wide playerin midfield and a more prolific scorer. We were told after the play-off final that our new acquisitions would be completed early to give Sam as much time as poss to get a solid unitin place for the start of the season and that hasn’t happened. If we mess up the easiest start to a season that I can ever remember I don’t see how we will be able to recover. We need DS to get his finger out , stop messing around on twitter and bring in solid decent players that can help stabilise us in the PL and to move forward from. If that gets done I’ll join you in looking forward to a decent season.
Why focus on Maynard when talking about pre season, he has done nothing and the one thing we saw from it is that the only one with an eye for goal is the one being spoken about as leaving. We are too close to the start of the season to be saying that it is all about fitness, I agree with the Avram quote and winning all pre season games but to get turned over 2 weeks before the start of the season by Ipswich and have our new CM injured in the Olympics before kicking a ball for us, our best CB playing a bit part in the Olympics, looking awful and unfit, our captain injured and no new signings on the horizon (realistic ones anyway) I for one am starting to get very worried
I went to Ipswich on saturday and watched a predictable West Ham side that really has made me worried about this season !!! Collins is very unfit , Reid will struggle in the prem , Noble was outclassed by Massimo Luongo who bossed the midfield and would be a great addition to our side , Cole , no comment , keeper didn’t look good , loved Potts in his debut but looked very shaky !! I could go on forever but feeling depressed !!! Gonna struggle and go straight back down on what I saw !!!!!