Blackburn Rovers await West Ham United tomorrow, with a second long trip within three days. According to local news outlets, the Irons squad is flying to Blackpool Airport this afternoon rather than endure another gruelling coach journey.
After the 450 mile midweek journey to Cardiff, going by road would have meant the West Ham teams’ tired bodies would have faced the even longer 490 mile round trip to Ewood Park – probably five hours each way – hardly the best preparation after minimal recovery.
However, a two week international break beckons during which time Scott Parker can really start to work on his tactics without the irritations of a game to interrupt his progress.
From the Hammers’ PR images released ahead of the Blackburn game, it is clear that this new broom has swept very clean in all corners of the training ground: Several players banished by Nuno are evidently now off the naughty step and, if appearances are anything to go by, are loving life under their new boss.
Maxwel Cornet, the forgotten man under successive managers, evidently got some 1:1 time with his new coach:
Presumably new West Ham manager Scott Parker is pointing out directions to the medical centre
Edson Alvarez, similarly, looks energised and content with his lot which suggests he’s in a better place now that his nemesis Nuno Espírito Santo has departed the training centre.
Welcome back Edson..
And one look at Alphonse Areola’s expression says it all. Training has just taken on a new dimension for the French former number three who hasn’t featured in a West Ham side since well before relegation: Parker’s chosen shot stopper at Fulham, remember.
Areola – does that smile reveal that he knows something we don’t for the starting XI tomorrow? We can but hope: I’ll wager that’s a “yes”
After Scott Parkers’ selection of a rusty Soungutou Magassa as a defensive midfielder on Wednesday, the smart money might be on another similar selection involving Magassa or Alvarez tomorrow: That would certainly account for the Mexican’s more upbeat demeanour during the training session and might even please a certain vocal selection of the fan base who have been long advancing the Mexican as the solution to the Hammers’ midfield problems.
Cannot wait for the team sheet to be honest, as the Parker revolution gets into full swing. Team news here at 13.45 tomorrow.