Dean Ashton is  – like all of us – is well ready for the start of the season and a huge game against Manchester City.

There were universal groans when the fixtures emerged showing yet another massive game as our seasonal start – pretty regular situation over recent campaigns.

However, IF there is a good time to meet Pep Guardiola’s outstanding side it’s probably on the first day although we will have a dress rehearsal against them in the Far East pre-season Asia Cup tournament when they represent our first opposition in the tournament.

Day One of the season is always noteworthy for surprise (rather than shock) results so there’s every chance that we can upset an applecart under a manager who would love to get one over on his former club.

And as he fills the Hammers team with the sort of inventive and creative players he loves there’s an added reason for belief.

Ashton gives another telling www.whufc.com:“I don’t really worry about West Ham against the bigger teams. I always feel the side has a performance in them in these sorts of games.”

“ There’s no doubt it will be a difficult game though. It’s a chance to see the new faces given an opportunity.

He was pleased with how West Ham performed against the top sides in the Premier League last season and says a slight improvement against teams around the Irons in the league could see Manuel Pellegrini’s Irons can go even further.

He continued: “Some of the performances last season, against some of the weaker sides in the league, weren’t good enough. When the big games come around though, the side always looks like performing.

“Perhaps there needs to be a slight change in mindset. That will be helped by the players coming back from injury and those new ones coming in, who will be looking to achieve things and drive the team forward.”