Another sunny preseason friendly and Big Sam's lads got another run in the sun at nearby Colchester. Once again, lots of changes meant that it was hard to take too firm a message from the game, but there were some notable performances from some of the Hammers youngsters, with the young American Seb Lletget in particular using the opportunity to impress after he came on as a second half substitute.
Joe Cole really looks lively and seems to have captured some of the bristling edge e had way back in his first spell with the club. A fortuitous goal was his reward. James Collins also has looked sharp so far preseason and manages so ofetn to provide the crucial block just when we seem exposed. He bagged the Hammers second after finding way too much space from a Joe Cole corner - don't expect similar generosity from Premiership defences! Less encouragingly, Modi Maiga again found the net elusive despite good opportunities and Colchester did get a consolation with the last touch of the game.
Otherwise there was no sign of the recent triallists - Engelaar and ? Bramble...hard to know what to make of these but attributing 'considerable experience' to both would be charitable as they are both well into the autumn in their respective careers.
The evening also provided a welcome chance to meet some old friends, including Freddie Sears who played for most of the game - no doubt everybody wishes him the very best as his career enters a crucial phase where he needs to rediscover his form as a youth in order to realise his full potential.
And so it's off to Germany where hopefully the Hammers will get a tougher test than that which they have encountered so far which, with no disrespect to Cork, Boreham Wood, Bournemouth and Colchester, has only been modest. Three matches versus Bundesliga opposition in 10 days will provide a more revealing test of where this squad is at.
Joe Cole really looks lively and seems to have captured some of the bristling edge e had way back in his first spell with the club. A fortuitous goal was his reward. James Collins also has looked sharp so far preseason and manages so ofetn to provide the crucial block just when we seem exposed. He bagged the Hammers second after finding way too much space from a Joe Cole corner - don't expect similar generosity from Premiership defences! Less encouragingly, Modi Maiga again found the net elusive despite good opportunities and Colchester did get a consolation with the last touch of the game.
Otherwise there was no sign of the recent triallists - Engelaar and ? Bramble...hard to know what to make of these but attributing 'considerable experience' to both would be charitable as they are both well into the autumn in their respective careers.
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| How Freddie might have looked if things had bounced differently |
The evening also provided a welcome chance to meet some old friends, including Freddie Sears who played for most of the game - no doubt everybody wishes him the very best as his career enters a crucial phase where he needs to rediscover his form as a youth in order to realise his full potential.
And so it's off to Germany where hopefully the Hammers will get a tougher test than that which they have encountered so far which, with no disrespect to Cork, Boreham Wood, Bournemouth and Colchester, has only been modest. Three matches versus Bundesliga opposition in 10 days will provide a more revealing test of where this squad is at.
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