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Diop happy with Hammers friendly display

Issa Diop was happy following the first pre=season friendly despite watching as two goals were conceded against Altach.

The French defender scored following a fine ball in from Jack Wilshere with Carlos Sanchez and Michail Antonio notching the others.

And afterwards he said: “It was a good workout,  We worked well physically but we conceded two goals, which was too much, but we won, which is the most-important thing.

“It was important for everyone to play a game and no-one was injured, so it’s good.

“It was a good match in a good stadium on a good pitch and Altach were a good team and they played well. Everything about the match was good.”

Now the squad head off for Hong Kong and the four team Asia Tournament and he is looking forward to the experience telling the official site:”I am happy to score but obviously it was just a friendly game, so to get a goal is not very important, but we always want to win every game, so of course I am happy about this goal.

“A win of any kind is always good for the confidence, even in preseason, so now we will get back to work and get ready for China.

“It’s a new adventure for us in a new country, so it’s going to be a good trip and I’m very excited about it!”

ClaretandHugh says: It’s never a great idea to read too much into a first pre-season game but any win is always welcome and to be in that habit from the start is a confidence builder for what’s ahead in the Orient. The first game against  Manchester City represents something of a dress rehearsal for the opening Premier League game and we will be in a position to know much more about where we are when the two sides clash at the Olympic Stadium next Wednesday. It would be good to see another striker appear by then but as things stand we can expect Chicharito and Antonio to be involved again. Has to be said that Little Pea appeared to pick up where he left yesterday with little involvement from the No 9. Antonio took his goal well and Issa was left unmarked for his, as was Sanchez for the first, but it was an encouraging first game with fitness levels looking better than in previous seasons. 

 

About Hugh5outhon1895

Hugh Southon is a lifelong Iron and the founding editor of ClaretandHugh. He is a national newspaper journalist of many years experience and was Bobby Moore's 'ghost' writer during the great man's lifetime. He describes ClaretandHugh as "the Hammers daily newspaper!" Follow on Twitter @hughsouthon

One comment on “Diop happy with Hammers friendly display

  1. Do not understand why Chicharito was given the no. 9 shirt when we are looking to buy a centre forward, it smacks of desperation, surely the only reason he is still at the club is because we have failed to buy a younger better centre forward. Looking at him in the friendly there was nothing to warrant us keeping him.

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