By CandH’s top blogger Allen Cummings
As far as I’m concerned the most relevant event last Friday was seeing West Ham players turning up once again at Rush Green reporting for duty – it means the new season really was on the horizon..
The fact Friday was also the day a certain journo attempted to resuscitate an old story, which was then ‘embellished’ by a red-top rag – later forced to apologise for their mis-information – while social media went into farcical meltdown – is really of no consequence.
As seasons go, the up-coming 2021-22 campaign has the potential to be a ‘big one’ for West Ham. I’m well aware many of us have seen and heard that before – on numerous occasions!
But this time there’s reason to believe there is some real substance for optimism – if we choose to recognise it of course.
An ambitious manager now firmly in place (despite all the speculation), with a mission to build on last season’s success, and a determination to reshape the club into one fit to compete at a higher level than we have been used to in the Premier League, together with the nucleus of a team of talented footballers who clearly love playing and performing together.
Some of those coming back through the doors at Rush Green may not be around to play a part when the season kick-off of course – such is the way of football.
However, one player who is certain to remain, and is looking forward to not only a big season for the club, but for himself personally is Pablo Fornals. The little Spaniard who, it is fair to say, had a stuttering start to his West Ham career following his arrival in the summer of 2018 – grew massively in confidence and stature last season under David Moyes’ guidance.
While the likes of Tomas Soucek, Vladimir Coufal and Jesse Lingard grabbed the headlines, Fornals contribution to the team was just as valuable. He’s a player who epitomises the virtues and values expected by his manager.
He’s a non stop workaholic , whether it’s in support of the defence, in the engine room of midfield or contributing goals up front. Pablo has never shirked on the responsibility placed upon him.
His two goals in the final game of last season helped set the seal on our best ever Premier League campaign – guaranteeing a European place.
An euphoric Pablo enthused afterwards: “That’s why I came here, to play in big games in Europe because this is a great club with this big atmosphere. This season I’ve played left wing-back, left winger, right winger, midfield, a No10 and sometimes as a striker. This is what I love doing – playing football. It doesn’t matter where, I just want to help my team mates.”
That’s exactly the attitude and spirit Moyes will be looking for again next season. The kind of spirit that has always gone down well with the West Ham faithful – who have regularly given their backing to any player prepared to roll up their sleeves and battle for the team and the club.
As his own game continues to develop, Fornals’ influence on the team is set to grow even more in the coming months.
His infectious wide grin illustrates just how much he loves his work – let’s hope Pablo and the rest of us have plenty to smile about when the irrelevant talking stops and the important action starts again in August.
