When Teddy Sheringham speaks, he speaks from experience. Over 400 Premier League appearances – 76 For West Ham United in the Championship and Premier League from 2004-2007. 28 Goals Whilst wearing Claret and Blue and part of the promotion winning side.
Teddy Sheringham brought enormous expertise to West Ham
Quoted this week, Sheringham passed judgement on the transfer window and managing expectations.
“Every Premier League manager is under pressure. That’s where you’re at now,” Sheringham said. “I do think that Lopetegui is under pressure to play attractive football from the get-go.
“He’s been fully backed with the signings he wanted, so there are no excuses. I think Lopetegui will expect to hit the ground running.”
“All the fans will back the new man, but the expectations are really high.”
He’s right about that. expectations are enormous and the pressure on Lopetegui now intense after the board backed him with £170 million-plus of investment to shape the Irons to his blueprint.
The important part is to back the ‘new man’ through thick and thin – success will surely take time as the team needs to gel: West Ham go into the first fixture without new signing Aaron Wan-Bissaka and midfield ‘Machin’ Alvarez through a hamstring injury. So, what we see on show tomorrow will be far from the finished article, just as the Irons’ team when Sheringham arrived in 2003.
Sheringham’s spell with West Ham saw him add a level of enormous experience in our attack, whilst not the fastest Teddy was a genius at winning the ball in the air, laying off and creating chances for those around him.
Shades of what is to come from Niclas Fullkrug? If the German’s impact is as good as Teddy’s was on our then-developing team, it will be a job well done.
His dominance in the air and skill levels in the build up could be a massive part of West Ham’s success, despite not being the fastest on the pitch – just like Sheringham 20 years ago.
Let’s hope Fullkrug fulfills his position at West Ham and doesn’t become a Haller or Scamacca🤞he’ll be a hit..
Let’s hope it’s a Fullkrug season, not a Half one!! lol
Nice article Martin. As comments around the Hammerverse appeared about Fullkrug’s age, my mind went straight to Teddy Sheringham and what he accomplished. I recognize Teddy was a transcendent talent but I see elements of him in Fullkrug that, given players like Bowen, Kudus, and Summerville around him, could bode well for us. Time will tell but it’s an exciting moment for West Ham, fraught with possibilities.
I think there will be distinct parallels, neither play full games, both= first half or impact subs. Both brilliant in the air and added another dimension.
Guile, touch, superb headed goals. I can but hope.
Why is Wan- Bissaka missing? Surely he’s fit to go straight into the team after completing a full preseason with Untied?
I agree with Teddy. Lopetegui isn’t going to have much of a honeymoon period. With the huge amount of money spent as well and all the new players he is going to have to show a more entertaining and ultimately more successful brand of football.