West Ham’s board have responded on a new signing with a show of confidence, while manager Graham Potter has picked out four players for special praise.
Whisper it quietly, but the mood around West Ham United is beginning to shift.
Most Hammers fans remain unhappy with West Ham’s decision to do business with Spurs by selling Mohammed Kudus to them for £54.5m.
But whatever your stance it has enabled Graham Potter to start making signings and – by all accounts – has done the atmosphere in the dressing room a favour too.
Raising some much-needed funds has seen the Hammers bring in Senegal left wingback El Hadji Malick Diouf in a £19m deal.
More comings and goings on the cards for West Ham
That has been quickly followed up by the savvy capture of another flying full-back in the shape of free agent Kyle Walker-Peters.
Both players have been praised for their character as much as their playing ability.
It is all part of Potter’s wider plan to get West Ham United again.
David Moyes was big on having a leaner squad where players felt they had a chance of game time.
It helped foster a great team spirit and family mentality in the group.
That’s something Potter has not been shy in declaring he wants to bring back.
Towards the end of last season an increasingly fed-up Potter boldly warned West Ham’s players he would change them if they don’t change.
Feedback from players two weeks into pre-season is that the atmosphere has completely changed.
There is more togetherness, players are smiling, happy with training and the direction the club seems to be heading in.
Not a single West Ham player has spoken about losing Kudus – which speaks volumes.
West Ham owners react to new signing Diouf
The new arrivals have added an extra energy to the group and the fans as have the young players – 12 of whom travelled to Germany with the squad.
There will be further departures and arrivals.
Potter has told a West Ham star he fell out with to find a new club according to reports.
A big hint has been dropped that the Hammers could be closing in on a third exciting signing.
It may only be pre-season, but for the first time in a long time, there is an air of positivity around West Ham.
Now the West Ham owners have reacted to a new signing as Potter singles out four stars for praise.
New boy Diouf seriously impressed fans on his Hammers bow against Grasshoppers.
It wasn’t just supporters the 20-year-old wowed, though.
Diouf was identified by Potter and head of recruitment Kyle Macaulay with the deal brokered by majority owner David Sullivan in his role as de facto director of football.
It was put to the top spokesman for West Ham’s owners that Diouf’s first showing in the claret and blue suggests the club may have unearthed a gem.
The response shows the unity at the club right now.
“Agreed, the new boy looked very decent indeed,” the top spokesman for West Ham’s owners told Hammers News.
It wasn’t just fans and the owners Diouf impressed either.
His manager Potter was full of praise too, picking him and three other Hammers out for special words of positivity.
Positive Potter singles out four Hammers stars for praise
“The group have come together nicely, it’s been a really positive week – lots of positives,” Potter told West Ham TV.
“I thought he (Diouf) did well, you can see what he brings to the team, attacked the back line a lot, got in some good crossing positions, looked dangerous, played with enthusiasm.
“He’s only been with us a few days but the first signs are really positive.”
Another player singled out by Potter was bit-part underdog Andy Irving.
The midfielder scored another pre-season goal after making a habit of it last summer.
But Potter said it was the way Irving helped West Ham control midfield that impressed him most, noting the Hammers lost some of that stranglehold when the Scot went off at half-time.
The Hammers boss also picked out captain Jarrod Bowen for his game-changing ability and youngster Callum Marshall for his brilliant finish in the second half.
“The first half was a good controlled performance and Andy contributed to that well,” Potter added.
“It was nice for him to score – Jarrod did really well for the goal.
“The second half was a bit more open but I think Callum’s goal was a really, really well taken goal.”
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