David Moyes could not be happier that a significant number of fans will be inside the London Stadium this afternoon (Sat).
Atalanta represent top opposition for the Betway Cup clash as the Hammers look to complete an unbeaten pre-season.
It will be the first opportunity for the Irons supporters to get a close up look at a team tyhat performed wonders last term and will this season take their place in the Europa league.
Already – with four October games moved – it’s apparent how busy the new programme will be and today will give us the best opportunity to see just where the squad are as they face their final prep game for the Premier League clash against Newcastle.
Hopefully by then, however, there will have been a new arrival or two although as the saying go that again looks likely to go down to the wire.
“It’s fantastic to have a significant amount of you back today,” he wrote in his column for the Official Programme, which is available to buy online here.
“It will be the first opportunity for some of you to watch live the West Ham who performed so well last season and I know the players are looking forward to your wholehearted support.
“I know you will appreciate just what was achieved last season. We now have another big campaign ahead of us and we are all excited at the club about the prospect of European football back at West Ham.
“There are big challenges which lie ahead and there is much to be positive about but, more importantly, we want to keep improving the team and ensuring the squad keep playing as well as they did last season.”
Moyes believes the Hammers’ pre-season has gone well so far, with the players working hard to build up their fitness ahead of the Premier League kick-off at Newcastle United on Sunday 15 August.
And the boss says Saturday’s fixture with an Atalanta side which has finished third in Serie A in each of the last three seasons will provide perfect preparation for both that game and the European challenges that lie ahead.
He added: “Today sees our biggest test so far. Atalanta finished the season really strongly, coming third in Serie A and qualifying for the Champions League.
“They are a little different from many other Italian sides. They are aggressive in their play and their approach and have a lot of very good players in their squad. I am looking forward to the game and it will be a big test for us.
“We are really grateful that Atalanta have made the trip to London Stadium to play us and we hope the game will be beneficial to both us and them as we both prepare for the season ahead.
“The new season is now just around the corner. We know it will be a challenging one but we approach it with confidence and excitement. We have a good set of players and personalities at this Club, as they demonstrated so many times last season.
“We will approach every game trying to win it with the aim of another positive season as we all look to keep pushing West Ham United forward.”