Greetings from High Possession, High Press West Ham

Gav Considers The Prospects For The Season As He Returns After The Summer Break

Overall, and despite Saturday’s loss, it’s great to be back. I hope that you have all had a fantastic Summer and are ready to go again under our new gaffer, Julen Lopetegui.

The transfer window has been one of the best we’ve ever seen at West Ham. The squad looks strong, with extra quality added in all of the areas where it was required, which bodes well for the campaign ahead. Despite this temperance is required in the face of some over-hype from sections of the media who are suggesting that West Ham are Champion’s League qualification candidates.

On my way to the game, standing on the platform where I change tube trains at Wembley Park, a Canadian chap from Newfoundland, named Dave asked me if he should get on the next train. I replied that he should but should consider changing to the overground at West Hampstead and head to Hackney Wick from there. So we got chatting on the journey and shared experiences of the Premier League while his wife and daughter attended the Taylor Swift concert. Turned out that he’s a Newcastle fan with a decent knowledge of the game, and so we shared a Lager, which he kindly bought, at the Crate brewery and shot the breeze before heading up to the ground. His entrance was through gate A so very conveniently for him slap bank opposite the bridge on that side of the ground. I learned that Newcastle fans don’t have much love for Villa so I’m sure Dave was shouting for the Irons on the day. If you’re reading this, Dave, I hope you had a great day and a safe journey back afterwards.

Notwithstanding the new signings the starting line-up only included Guido Rodriguez this weekend. You wonder, were he fit, if Alvarez would also have featured ahead of the ex-Real Betis man. It would seem that a gentler introduction to the Premier League is being afforded to many of the recruits and many may wonder if that is a sensible approach. For me Guido struggled with the pace of the game…a pace that is likely to become even more intense over the coming few fixtures as the Summer break cobwebs are chased out. El Machin’s first game in the Claret and Blue was one that he hit the ground running in… but this is a rare occurrence and so it may take time for some to bed in.

As well as the new signings we also have some academy players starting to make strong cases for inclusion to the first team squad. I would have Freddie Potts and George Earthy at the head of the queue knocking at the door to first team inclusion but Callum Marshall, who Sam met on holiday, and Michael Forbes, are other strong candidates with the two players going on loan to either side of the Bristol tracks at City and Rovers respectively. The new manager had a good look at these lads in pre-season and, by all accounts, was encouraged by what he saw. It remains to be seen if any of these lads can make the step up, and some, like Divin Mubama, may need to take steps backwards, by leaving, to go forwards again, but they’re certainly ones that I’ll be keeping a close eye on this term.

Any additions to the team that took the field on Saturday, that can help move the ball quicker, will be welcome additions in my view. Despite enjoying the majority of possession, and superior number of passes, much of the interplay is still laboured. There were times when players were caught knapping, as they dwelt far too long on the ball, while at other times the extra touches taken by those in Claret and Blue shirts allowed Villa to close down, form a solid defensive shape and close off passing lanes…making us either force the play or pass backwards down dead avenues. I expect Lopetegui, and his coaching team, to improve players and I hope that this area of their game is the one that develops most as the new look squad get to know each other better.

In comparison to many social media comments that I’m reading I’m not setting my expectation levels too high for the kind of free-flowing, attacking football that was desired by those wanting David Moyes replaced. The fact that we’re already pressing higher and keeping the ball for longer periods is encouraging however I feel that a typically patient approach to our forward play, under the new manager, will leave some with hopes of witnessing a return to the West Ham Way not fully satisfied under the new regime. Notwithstanding that I’m hopeful we can be united in support of the team…they’re going to need us fully behind them if they’re to get back to European qualification. Achieve that and I, along with many other, shoulds be more than happy. On the flip side we won’t be playing too many Thursday nights and Sundays this season. Decent runs in the cups should also be on the agenda…starting with Bournemouth next Wednesday evening.

The draw for the EFL Cup could have been a little kinder to us but a stern test will benefit the new look Hammers. As in previous seasons I’m of the firm belief that this competition should be taken seriously and want to see a strong starting eleven. It’s a trophy that we’ve never won, discounting the War Cup, and a great pathway to secure European football.

So it’s great to be back again. As many of you will know I tend to take a break in the closed season as the main topic of discussion is transfer tittle-tattle, ITKs spouting their wisdom and all the, ahem, B******t speculation about player movement. It’s really not my thing but now the action is back underway I look forward to sharing the next nine months’ roller-coaster ride with you all.

There have been many changes to the Women’s game during the Summer, with the F.A. relinquishing control to the, newly formed, Women’s Professional Leagues Limited (WPLL). As with the men I won’t be writing about the Ironesses until the new season kicks off