Mark Robson has been delighted with how West Ham United U21s have taken to the intensive pre-season schedule.
The developing Hammers have spent the past week working hard in Tróia, Portugal, ahead of the 2022/23 season, and capped the six-day trip with their first pre-season fixture against Sporting CP ‘B’.
While a young U21s side were defeated 2-1, courtesy of a late penalty for the Portuguese team, Robson could take positives in his lads’ effort and work ethic in their pre-season opener.
Speaking to West Ham TV following the match at the Academia Sporting, the U21s lead coach reflected on the squad’s training camp in Portugal, how the new faces in the team are getting on, and much more...
Mark, how would you sum up the week in Tróia for pre-season training?
“We’ve had a really, really good week. We’ve stayed in Tróia and had access to really nice facilities and a fantastic training ground. We’ve had a good week from a technical perspective, and we also got some tactical stuff into the boys as well. It’s been really good and positive.
“We finished the week with the game against Sporting CP in what was really hot conditions. The boys were excellent though. They had a right go in terms of their work ethic. We were a bit rusty at times in certain areas, but you can expect that in the first game of pre-season. But there was also some really pleasing aspects too.”
What sort of test were you hoping for against Sporting CP in the pre-season opener?
“Against Sporting, every time we got past them, they brought us down. There were a lot of fouls in the game and, in a competitive game, they more than likely would have seen a couple of lads sent off. But, having said that, we didn’t want to see anyone sent off because we wanted it to be a tough game for our boys in the first match of pre-season. In that respect, we couldn’t get any rhythm or flow because it was foul after foul.
“It was a good experience for our boys because I’m expecting that sort of thing when we play in the Premier League International Cup later in the season. It’s different to what we’re used to in league football and would have been a really good experience for our lads.”
Before Saturday’s game, it’s been days of double sessions, gym work and early morning cardio. How have the lads responded to the schedule?
“I think the lads have coped with what we’ve asked them to do really well. It’s been really, really hot and we’re asking them to really push themselves, and that can be really tough. And then we were getting them out for a second session in the afternoon as well.
"But I have to say that all the boys have been absolutely fantastic, as have all the staff as well. It’s been a really positive week and now we’re heading back to England in order to prepare for the rest of pre-season, ready for what we hope will be a successful campaign.
“I’ve been pleased to see the team bonding aspect of this trip too. We’ve had a couple of activity sessions in the evenings, and we’ve brought in Jack Hicks-Flynn to help us with our psychology, and he has been brilliant with the squad this week. That will continue through the season.
“We want to keep building on that team bonding so we have a good group of players who really get on well together and, when they go on the pitch, they want to fight for each other. I’m starting to see signs of that.”
This camp has given you the chance to look at the newly signed-professionals and a couple of the U18s as well…
“We’ve been very fortunate to see some of our lads go away with the first team to Evian, which has opened the door up for one or two of the younger ones who have just come up from the U18s.
“We’ve had one or two lads with us who are just out of school too. Lewis Orford played the second half for us against Sporting CP, and Ollie Scarles played about 30 minutes, and they’re both young players who have done really, really well this past week. They’ve impressed not just me, but the rest of the staff and some of the older players we have in the group.
“Some of the second-years have come out as well; lads who signed pro deals in the summer and have just come up. They’ve all fitted in really well with the team. In training, they’ve showed some real quality and I’ve been impressed with them. I hope they can continue it through pre-season.”
It’s been a busy fortnight, away in Scotland and then Portugal. How is the rest of pre-season shaping up?
“We’ll back in at Rush Green next week and we have our next pre-season match on Friday, away to Ebbsfleet United, so we’ll be preparing the team for that. Of course, there are two first team friendlies on Tuesday against Boreham Wood and Ipswich Town, so we’ll see anyone from our group is needed for those games.
“Whatever happens, we’ll be continuing our work. We’ll be looking to kick on, ready for the start of the season. The plan is in place for us and I feel like we’re ahead of schedule, so we’re happy with how we’re progressing.”
