Irons 1 W Bremen 2: Defeat is no disaster

IRONS 1 WERDER BREMEN 2

The Irons suffered a home defeat against Werder Bremen which will have done their confidence no good whatsoever as they go into the last week of a pre-season which hasn’t been the best.

Victory over FC Astra on Thursday night could give the squad a much needed lift but with Mark Noble claiming this hasn’t been a great way to prepare for the new PL campaign, there will be some creased brows around.

There was plenty to admire from the new Hammers at Upton Park this afternoon and its as well to remember that the Bundesliga outfit has gone 11 games without defeat this summer.

And with Dimitri Payet giving another strong performance, Manuel Lanzini making an impressive debut in the second half and Reece Oxford looking the part in a big way, there’s reason for optimism.

But to take the lead through Diafra Sakho, lose it within a minute and slip behind ten minutes later was disappointing.

Anthony Ujah’s first goal – a 25 yard effort – slipped between Adrian’s legs but there was no good fortune about the second which he firmly drilled home.

Payet and Sakho looked a very menacing pairing and Mauro Zarate was as lively as he has been throughout the summer run of matches.

Lanzini’s entrance paved the way for him to produce a jinking run past defenders before being denied and demonstrate the creativity we’ve been crying out for.

And he had a chance in the last 15 minutes when he attempted to curl the ball in from a 22-yard free kick, but his shot lacked the power to beat Wiedwald.

There’s work to be done and  a less daunting opener than the north Londoners but we have little doubt that once the team seriously gels we will be fine.

This wasn’t a disaster by any means and what pre-season has shown us is that we have a decent first team squad and some excellent ‘back up ‘ players.