Switzerland - Day Three

A keenly-fought and thoroughly respectable 2-1 friendly defeat by BSC Young Boys completed another long day of hard work for the players of West Ham United.

The third full day of the Hammers' pre-season tour in central Switzerland saw Sam Allardyce and his squad conduct two training sessions ahead of their opening Uhren Cup fixture.

The players were up early ahead of a 7am swimming session before returning to their hotel for breakfast.

After a short rest, Allardyce led the way as the group cycled the two miles to the club's training complex, where a short warm-up was followed by keep-ball, an 11v11 match and some set-piece and tactical drills.

After a rest and a pre-match meal, the squad boarded the team coach for the hour-long drive to Grenchen, arriving at the Bruhl Stadium 90 minutes before the 6pm kick-off.

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At the same time, club representatives attended a civic reception at the town's regional airport, which is renowned for being the watch-making capital of Switzerland. There, they were welcomed by town president Boris Banga, head of culture and sport Barbara Pestalozzi and airport CEO Andreas Wegier.

Signed pennants were presented to Banga and Pestalozzi, while a series of speeches were made, including one by West Ham thanking the people of Grenchen and Switzerland for their outstanding hospitality.

On to the match itself and West Ham's players gave a good account of themselves against a Young Boys squad just five days away from their opening Super Liga fixture.

With Robert Green, Scott Parker, Mark Noble, Kevin Nolan and Carlton Cole given the night off, it was a young Hammers team that took on the UEFA Europa League qualifiers in front of a 7,000-strong crowd.

Young Boys took an early lead through former Switzerland Under-21 international Marco Schneuwly, but it took just four minutes for Frank Nouble to equalise with a well-taken near-post header.

It was a big moment for the 19-year-old striker, who has spoken of his eagerness to impress new manager Sam Allardyce during the pre-season.

While Nouble was looking lively at the attacking end of the pitch, Abdoulaye Faye and trialists Hernani Da Rosa and Joey O'Brien were making their West Ham debuts in more defensive positions.

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Jordan Brown, George Moncur and Freddie Sears were also given chances to impress from the start, but it was Young Boys who went in ahead at half-time thanks to a powerful downward header from Switzerland international defender Francois Affolter.

Allardyce made changes at the break, with Jordan Spence, James Tomkins, Frederic Piquionne, birthday boy Olly Lee and teenager Robert Hall all given a run out.

Tomkins looked strong after taking over the captain's armband from Luis Boa Morte, while Piquionne and Hall combined well - the latter hitting the post with a rasping 20-yard shot late on.

At the other end, Ruud Boffin made two fine saves to deny Young Boys replacement Emmanuel Mayuka.

While the final whistle arrived with the Hammers still trailing, manager Allardyce and his players can be proud of a good night's work.

The official website was on hand to capture all of the day's action on camera, and an exclusive gallery of pictures is published here.

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Strength coach Mathew Monte-Columbo puts the players through a warm-up

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The setting for training was truly something to behold

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Tactics and set-piece training were an important part of the session

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Junior Stanislas sends a free-kick into the penalty area

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Grenchen played host to West Ham United's meeting with BSC Young Boys

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Bruhl Stadium was the venue for the meeting with BSC Young Boys

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West Ham United representatives attended a civic reception before the game

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Frank Nouble scored West Ham United's goal with a fine header