Conjecture from supporters and journo’s regarding the new era and old is one thing. But when a former Hammers favourite who spent time looking at the team under the last manager and then this summer with the newly installed ‘Head Coach’ speaks, it is worth listening. West Ham United are still in a state of flux and the ‘growing pains’ are clear for all to see: Mixed messages, failed new systems, player rifts – all symptomatic of change not coming easy to East London.
However, wise words of encouragement have come from former West Ham defender Anton Ferdinand, speaking on TalkSport last night. Ferdinand, who made over 130 league appearances for The Hammers between 2002 and 2008 spent the pre-season tour of Florida with West Ham’s squad and so is perfectly qualified to pass judgement: “..It is never going to be an easy start looking at the fixtures we have had over the first period of the Premier League. But I was lucky enough to go away with the team over the pre-season tour in America.
Seeing what he was introducing and one of the things to do. To me it is very very exciting, we have got a lot of new players. A new style of play. A lot of players that were here still over the last three, four years of David Moyes. A lot to undo from that era and start doing what the new manager wants.”
Perhaps as supporters we under estimate how much needs learning afresh when such a big change of coaching style and philosophy takes place? Ferdinand continued: “So I am still very excited, I think the manager needs time and the fans need to be patient. But I am very very excited in terms of the new project and what Tim Steidten has put together along with the manager. And I think once it clicks all this pressure will go away and the fans will be absolutely buzzing”.
If Anton’s up-beat analysis is correct then there are signs that maybe we are through the worst – the real proof will be in points scored between now and the end of the year. The Head Coach along with Technical Director Tim Steidten and Sporting Director Mark Noble all have their part to play in turning the new influx of ten signings from this summer plus the existing players into a cohesive, tactically aware top quality team. And there is still a long way to go.
