With key players absent on international duty, these mid-international break training sessions are challenging for coaching staff who are keen to improve the team but of course don’t get to drill the whole squad.
West Ham United, though, with their reduced circumstances this season, have fewer players away than in the ‘old days’ of the Premier League thanks to player departures and others – like skipper Jarrod Bowen – simply being overlooked by their national coaches.
Hence there is a pretty decent contingent present on the training field for this two week ‘Scott Parker reset’.
Yesterdays ‘inside training’ video shows clear blue water between the old days of Nuno Espírito Santo and the new-era Scott Parker training session. The very public participation of former ‘discards’ Edson Alvarez and Soungoutou Magassa – both featured from the outset along with perennial discard Maxi Cornet – shows Parker’s pledge to wipe the slate clean has being carried out.
Integrated and back in full training along with Edson Alvarez: Soungoutou Magassa
There’s been much written about either one of Alvarez or Magassa being the solution to West Ham’s defensive frailties – with a defensive midfielder sitting in front of the back four being suggested by footballleagueworld.co.uk who claim ‘Parker will be reversing the decision which angered West Ham’s bosses’ – that decision being Nuno’s refusal to play either of the midfielders and leaving them to languish outside the match day squad.
From the video evidence yesterday I’d say it is clear those days are long gone. Magassa has already started one game – hooked at half time – but I’d wager either the Frenchman or his Mexican midfield colleague, once upto speed, will be putting in an appearance in a reshaped Parker side this autumn: as the FLW article concludes:
“Hammers fans have long been calling for Alvarez and Magassa to be given a chance to solve their side’s midfield problems, and with the club’s hierarchy seemingly sharing that view, Parker should focus on reintegrating the duo over the international break.”
Looks like that’s another box ticked then: Job done. Now get them playing.