Julen Lopetegui was full of praise for his Hammers side after a hard-working week in Austria as part of our pre-season schedule. Our Hammers yesterday played to a 2-2 draw with Hungarian champions Ferencváros, in what was our first taste of life under the new Head Coach.
It marked the end of an intense week in the Austrian sunshine as West Ham battled back from 2-0 down to claim a draw, thanks to goals from Danny Ings and Nayef Aguerd.
Lopetegui wasn’t too fussed about the result, but was more focussed on player fitness and condition, as we look to get set for the return of Premier League football next month.
“Today was the first test we have had on the pitch – it’s hard, and a good thing for us, because we are playing against a team who are starting their Champions League campaign next week, so they have been working for a month,” said Lopetegui after the draw, as reported by the clubs Official Website.
“It was a very hard test, and this allows us to put one step more, to increase our rhythm, our work and our ideas, knowing of course that we are playing with a lot of Academy players too.
“It’s a good thing for them to have the experience with us, and now we have to continue working. We rest for one day and then we work at our training ground in London before we go to the USA.”
The Head Coach was delighted with the work shown from the players in his first spell with the side since arriving this summer, whilst admitting things are now set to ramp up as the players continue to build for the new campaign.
We have worked very hard here, maybe that is why they did not have a lot of energy today, because we have done a lot of work this week,” added the Spaniard.
“We play two matches against Premier League matches in the USA, so we will increase step by step, to make sure we are in the best condition for the start of the season.”
