Thursday 09 October 2014
Hammers manager pleased with how well and quickly new signings have integrated
New recruit Enner Valencia scored with a wonderful strike against Hull City
West Ham United manager Sam Allardyce is
delighted with how his new arrivals have adapted seamlessly to life in
the Barclays Premier League.
He retained his job following talks with the West Ham board and was tasked with implementing a more attractive playing style with a view to securing a top-10 finish.
The 59-year-old and his team have resoundingly proved the doubters wrong over the opening weeks of the current Barclays Premier League campaign.
West Ham have produced plenty of excitement, playing with confidence and scoring more goals at this stage than Arsenal and Liverpool – both of whom lie below the seventh-placed east London club in the table following the opening seven matches.
Moves to bolster Allardyce's attacking options during the close-season by bringing in the likes of Diafra Sakho, Enner Valencia and Mauro Zarate have reaped immediate rewards.
Sakho, in particular, has shone and netted his fourth goal in as many Barclays Premier League starts to secure a 2-0 win against Queens Park Rangers last Sunday.
"We knew he was a good player, he scored 20 goals last year [in Ligue 2 for French club Metz] but we didn't know how well he would adjust to the Premier League," Allardyce told West Ham's official website of the Senegal forward's rapid progress.
"His work rate, desire and his runs are so good. He has a great knack of being in the right place at the right time.
"Valencia has been brilliant as well. Mauro has found it a little bit more difficult but overall has done very well."
"If I'm honest they've settled in quicker than I expected," Allardyce said. "Kouyate made a fantastic impact before he got injured.
"Aaron Cresswell looks like he's played in the Premier League all his career. We all know about Alex Song, he's not even fit yet. When he is, we'll see even more of him."
From his time at Bolton Wanderers, managing high-profile imports such as Jay-Jay Okocha and Youri Djorkaeff during the later years of their careers, Allardyce has plenty of experience when it comes to integrating players from different levels of football, cultures and backgrounds.
He also credits another man from his Bolton days, current West Ham club captain Kevin Nolan, with helping the Boleyn Ground's new fans' favourites to make a smooth transition.
Allardyce added: "As an experienced manager I know how important it is to help new players, especially foreign ones, to settle in. We have a very welcoming dressing room here.
"Our captain Kevin Nolan builds the bonds with the new players. Because of that it helps them to hit the ground running."
"Sakho's work rate, desire and his runs are so good. He has a great knack of being in the right place at the right time"An underwhelming end to the 2013/14 campaign brought Allardyce's position at the Boleyn Ground under close scrutiny.
Sam Allardyce
He retained his job following talks with the West Ham board and was tasked with implementing a more attractive playing style with a view to securing a top-10 finish.
The 59-year-old and his team have resoundingly proved the doubters wrong over the opening weeks of the current Barclays Premier League campaign.
West Ham have produced plenty of excitement, playing with confidence and scoring more goals at this stage than Arsenal and Liverpool – both of whom lie below the seventh-placed east London club in the table following the opening seven matches.
Moves to bolster Allardyce's attacking options during the close-season by bringing in the likes of Diafra Sakho, Enner Valencia and Mauro Zarate have reaped immediate rewards.
Sakho, in particular, has shone and netted his fourth goal in as many Barclays Premier League starts to secure a 2-0 win against Queens Park Rangers last Sunday.
"We knew he was a good player, he scored 20 goals last year [in Ligue 2 for French club Metz] but we didn't know how well he would adjust to the Premier League," Allardyce told West Ham's official website of the Senegal forward's rapid progress.
"His work rate, desire and his runs are so good. He has a great knack of being in the right place at the right time.
"Valencia has been brilliant as well. Mauro has found it a little bit more difficult but overall has done very well."
Quick settlers
While the attacking trio have often been the players to leave supporters purring, Allardyce is delighted with how his recent squad overhaul has panned out."If I'm honest they've settled in quicker than I expected"Cheikhou Kouyate and former Arsenal player Alex Song have added muscle and quality in midfield, while Aaron Cresswell has produced a string of assured displays at left-back having joined from Championship club Ipswich Town.
Sam Allardyce
"If I'm honest they've settled in quicker than I expected," Allardyce said. "Kouyate made a fantastic impact before he got injured.
"Aaron Cresswell looks like he's played in the Premier League all his career. We all know about Alex Song, he's not even fit yet. When he is, we'll see even more of him."
From his time at Bolton Wanderers, managing high-profile imports such as Jay-Jay Okocha and Youri Djorkaeff during the later years of their careers, Allardyce has plenty of experience when it comes to integrating players from different levels of football, cultures and backgrounds.
He also credits another man from his Bolton days, current West Ham club captain Kevin Nolan, with helping the Boleyn Ground's new fans' favourites to make a smooth transition.
Allardyce added: "As an experienced manager I know how important it is to help new players, especially foreign ones, to settle in. We have a very welcoming dressing room here.
"Our captain Kevin Nolan builds the bonds with the new players. Because of that it helps them to hit the ground running."
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