The resumption of Premier League football cannot come fast enough for those of us who write about it or watch it. West Ham’s campaign continues, as if you need reminding, with a tasty trip to North London to take on local arch – rivals Tottenham Hotspur. It is a Saturday lunchtime kick off so less than 48 hours to go – and West Ham have released their now customary behind-the-scenes video showing some of the Hammers squad hard at work in training for the Spurs clash.
Clearly Lopetegui’s influence continues to grow as West Ham develop their playing style in his mould. We’ve gleaned some useful pointers from the video and it is clear that the fast, one or two touch game is being drilled again and again into the Hammers players.
Coach Oscar Caro takes the session and can be heard repeatedly shouting “quick, quick” and demanding continual one or two touch football followed by quick passing, following on from the ‘force the mistake’ mantra on display before the Ipswich Town game.
Fast pressing is also demanded of the players on display and is clearly another Caro / Lopetegui area for development as The Hammers seek to grow their possession-based, more aggressive style which worked so well against Ipswich. Spurs, though, will prove a tougher test of West Hame’s progress to date.
Winger Crysencio Summerville looks absolutely on-fire. Fast, quick footed and with great shots and goals hit repeatedly in the training video – he must surely be impressing the coaching staff and Lopetegui in particular: In this form I cannot see how he gets left on the bench. Exactly what we need to take on and beat Spurs.
It remains to be seen who arrives back in time and ready to hit the ground running for a Saturday lunchtime kick off: Paquetá, Antonio, Alvarez and Kudus all have pretty daunting journeys back from their midweek matches.
The energy shown by Summerville will be in stark contrast to the fatigue which some of the international returners will be feeling: Maybe it is finally time for Lopetegui to ring the changes and unleash Summerville against Spurs from the start.
