Fingers crossed after Wilshere’s pre-season bow

It was pretty obvious once the second half of the first pre-season friendly started yesterday evening that Jack Wilshere had – as he promised – been putting in the hard yards.

Out for most of last season, the midfielder made it clear there would be little rest for him this summer and he became a regular visitor to Rush Green.

And his performance during that second 45 minutes against Altach was full of the sort of promise for which we have been hoping over a long time.

Some of us – and I count myself among them – had all but given up on him and of course there is still some proving to be done. Fingers crossed the ankle and general fitness holds up.

Manuel Pellegrini has regularly kept the faith and reckons he is an absolutely outstanding operator ..why else would he have handed him a three year deal.

It was of course the beautiful ball for Issa Diop’s goal that caught the eye but there was plenty else to admire via the way he held midfield together whilst producing some great disguised flicks and passes.

It’s a very crowded midfield at the Hammers this season, packed with quality players, but given Pelle’s view of the man it will be a big surprise if he isn’t involved whenever fit.

Yes, early days I know, and we are still awaiting that striker or two but with the likes of a fit Wilshere, Pablo Fornals, Felipe Anderson, Andriy Yarmolenko, Declan Rice and Manu Lanzini around these are exciting times.

COYI