Playing in over 30 degrees celsius, not much was expected from today’s friendly against Hungarian Champions, Ferencvaros, at the Sportstadion Langau in Austria.
It was however, a chance for some of the fringe players to impress new boss, Julen Lopetegui.
Already, a player down, with Flynn Downes heading back to England to complete a medical at Southampton ahead of his £18m transfer, neither side did much to threat on goal during the 90 minutes, though Lukas Fabianski conceded a brace in the first half.
Wes Foderingham replaced the Polish keeper for the second half, and pulled of a good save against the Serbian, Aleksandar Pesic.
With continual transfer links to Callum Wilson at Newcastle, Danny Ings, who recently turned down a transfer move to Southampton did his chances no harm when he came on in the second half and scored a goal from a free kick bending the ball over the wall, and beyond the keeper.
Another player who has been the source of much speculation, Nayef Aguerd put in a good shift during the second half, and with rumours suggesting the transfer war chest is not as big as once thought, it may be that he now stays at West Ham, which will free up cash to strengthen other areas. He also scored the equaliser in the last minute of normal time.
Many of the younger players, managed to get an appearance, with Freddie Potts playing the longest. Strikers, Gideon Kodua, and Callum Marshall may well be loaned out to lower league clubs when the season begins, having played at Wycombe and West Bromwich Albion earlier in the year.
Andrew Irving made his long awaited debut, playing in familiar territory having played last season for Austrian side, Austria Klagenfurt.
West Ham fans saw glimpses of new signings Luis Guilherme, and Max Kilman for the first forty-five minutes, and it was good to see an injury free Max Cornet who looped a shot over the bar earlier on in the game.
All in all, a good training exercise for the squad, ahead of our opening game on 17th August.
Crikey calm down a bit…first game after a few days training against a team who are not far off starting there season so going to be fitter and quicker yet we still held them which says a lot about a renewed spirit in the side…bonus points Ings and Aguered scored so maybe that will interest those wanting them a bit more and wont hurt the price!
Seems main criticism is.defence which is unfair considering only one new signing played.
It’s not rocket science that complete back line needs overalling.
Still r/bk, l/bk and another c/bk still to come, hopefully.
Reckon it would have been a good exercise for the management. Good to see Potts play, disappointed to hear Downes is having a medical. Ings scored, LOL, but maybe he suits Lopetegui. Nice to see Irving too, and the youngsters.