As the saying goes, a week is a long time in football, but in West Ham terms, the last two weeks have felt like an eternity.
I’ve never completely understood why international fixtures interrupt the Premier League calendar so early in the season, and I don’t think I’ll ever get used to it.
Ironically, I actually quite enjoyed watching England play under the new management of Lee Carsley, but nothing quite matches supporting and following West Ham.
These early international fixtures are an unwelcome interruption and seem to occur at precisely the point when the team are about to find some rhythm. This is especially true when the club has recently hired a new head coach, Julen Lopetegui, and added a host of new signings.
Just as excitement builds and we begin to get accustomed to the habits and tactics of the new coach, everything grinds to a halt.
Personally, I was starting to discover the nuances of players like Guido RodrÃguez and Max Kilman. I was especially looking forward to seeing more of Aaron Wan-Bissaka, who has greatly impressed me.
Unfortunately, like the rest of us, I’ve had to endure the international break, and frankly, I’m relieved it’s over.
So, bring on the pre-match rituals, the excitement, and the anticipation of the manager’s line-up decisions. We West Ham fans can finally enjoy proper club football again… at least until October, when the next international break comes around.