West Ham can expect to be at the centre of a massive “we are back” atmosphere when they appear out of the tunnel at Nottingham Forest this afternoon.
The historic midlands outfit return after 24 years away and will be looking for a huge result following their first ever appearance on the City Ground as Premier League competitors.
We will need to show every inch of our professionalism in ensuring that we bid to keep them under our thumbs for the first 15 minutes in particular which will require the sort of start which we don’t always provide.
Aaron Cresswell – who knows the ground from his Championship days – has been making the same point in his pre match interview and expects a fiercely competitive afternoon.
He told www,whufc.com: “I’ve played there in the Championship years ago, about ten years ago, but I remember it being a special ground with a lot of history, and for them to be out the Premier League for 24 years, I’m sure it’s going to be one of the toughest places to go again this season.
“But this is the Premier League and that’s what we’re up against. I’m sure the atmosphere is going to be really, really loud and really high, but it’s up to us to control that as well.”
Forest boss Steve Cooper has made eleven new signings to strengthen his newly promoted squad, including former West Ham loanee Jesse Lingard, but Cresswell says the Londoners have to focus on their own jobs and exploiting any weaknesses in Forest, rather than worry about their opponents.
“They’ve made a lot of changes to adapt to the Premier League and obviously Jesse is there and it’ll be nice to see Jesse, but our main focus is to go there and get a win,” he confirmed.
The defender was quick to dismiss any criticism of the attacker and knows he and his teammates will need to be at their best to slow the former Manchester United player.
“Jesse was unbelievable when he was at our place,” the No3 recalled. “He came in hit and the ground running. I remember him saying, how difficult it was at times at [Manchester] United and how the togetherness was nowhere near what we’ve got here. We created a great atmosphere and he walked straight in and from day one he was bouncing about and felt at home.
“Sometimes when you hear things about him, and you listen to this stuff that people are saying about him, he’s not that type of guy. He’s genuinely down to earth guy and really humble. A lot of social media stuff, that’s what people criticise him for, but I think you’ve got to judge him for being on a pitch and I can only say good things about him because at the time he was here he was arguably our best player for six months.”
About Hugh5outhon1895