New first team coach Glynn Snodin says the pre-season
training trip to Austria has played a vital part in helping him to
settle into life at West Ham United.
The former Charlton and Southampton coach was appointed by Alan Curbishley last month and, having travelled out to Graz with his new colleagues for a week of training, matches and team bonding, admits that things couldn't have gone better.
"It's great to be away, because it gives everyone a chance to get to know each other that much more," he says. "We're with each other virtually 24-7, which means you get to know the characters and personalities of people.
"We're on the training field morning and evening, eating together three times a day, and there have also been a couple of squad activities, so it's a good chance to build relationships and develop the team spirit.
"From my point of view, I obviously know Curbs and Merv, and a few of the backroom staff, from my time at Charlton, which has made things easier, but I'm still getting to know the players, and they have been fantastic.
"There's a lot of banter with me being a Yorkshireman - the Cockneys have given me a typical welcome! - but there are a few other northern lads back at the training ground, so I'm not completely on my own!"
Having been in the small village of Bad Radkersberg - near the south east Austrian border - for three days now, Hammers have been training hard around their two friendly matches, despite conditions being far from ideal.
"It's been unbelievably hot," he says Glynn. "The lads are training and playing in temperatures of 35 degrees, and when you are this close to them you realise how much work they put in.
"They have worked extremely hard, and the work has been real quality. These are players at the very top of their profession and it just a pleasure to work with them.
"The main thing when you are coaching at this level is to have that mutual respect between each other, and for the players to believe in what you are telling them. So far, it has been a joy to coach them, and I'm sure they will prove their quality in the Premier League next season."
The former Charlton and Southampton coach was appointed by Alan Curbishley last month and, having travelled out to Graz with his new colleagues for a week of training, matches and team bonding, admits that things couldn't have gone better.
"It's great to be away, because it gives everyone a chance to get to know each other that much more," he says. "We're with each other virtually 24-7, which means you get to know the characters and personalities of people.
"We're on the training field morning and evening, eating together three times a day, and there have also been a couple of squad activities, so it's a good chance to build relationships and develop the team spirit.
"From my point of view, I obviously know Curbs and Merv, and a few of the backroom staff, from my time at Charlton, which has made things easier, but I'm still getting to know the players, and they have been fantastic.
"There's a lot of banter with me being a Yorkshireman - the Cockneys have given me a typical welcome! - but there are a few other northern lads back at the training ground, so I'm not completely on my own!"
Having been in the small village of Bad Radkersberg - near the south east Austrian border - for three days now, Hammers have been training hard around their two friendly matches, despite conditions being far from ideal.
"It's been unbelievably hot," he says Glynn. "The lads are training and playing in temperatures of 35 degrees, and when you are this close to them you realise how much work they put in.
"They have worked extremely hard, and the work has been real quality. These are players at the very top of their profession and it just a pleasure to work with them.
"The main thing when you are coaching at this level is to have that mutual respect between each other, and for the players to believe in what you are telling them. So far, it has been a joy to coach them, and I'm sure they will prove their quality in the Premier League next season."