Chris Woods says the West Ham United coaching staff cannot help but be excited by the way the Hammers are playing in pre-season.
The goalkeeping coach spoke to West Ham TV following Saturday’s thrilling 3-2 pre-season victory at Southend United – a game in which debutant Dimitri Payet scored two spectacular goals and set up the Hammers’ own-goal winner.
Woods admitted the Hammers would still need to work on their defending ahead of the start of the 2015/16 Barclays Premier League campaign, but said the overall feeling among the backroom team was one of real optimism.
“It was definitely an entertaining game,” said the former England goalkeeper. “When you play teams like Southend, they make it difficult for you and they want to come out and prove something.
“We just had to come out and do the professional thing and we obviously went a goal behind, but Dimitri played exceptionally well, played a number of really telling passes and scored two great goals.”
With six goals scored in their opening two pre-season matches, Woods said manager Slaven Bilic and his staff were pleased with the number of opportunities the players are creating.
“I think that’s what it is all about, creating chances, and everybody says that if you are creating chances you are in the right place on the pitch,” he continued.
“With somebody who can see a pass like Dimitri did, that’s a forward’s delight. It’s the first time we have really seen him on the pitch and if the forwards can make the runs, they will love that and it’s really good to see.”
After two weeks when one half of the squad was based in Ireland and the other was concentrating on UEFA Europa League football, the group came together in full on Monday.
“It has been a little bit different but it is what it is and we have to do the best that we possibly can. Everybody has bonded together and made the most of an awkward situation at times.”
With all the players now working under the eye of Bilic and his staff, Woods says the coaches can start working out exactly what areas need improving and the strengths that already exist.
“Obviously we are looking to improve all the time and we will use this period of the pre-season to iron a few things out,” he added. “The manager needs to explain what he is looking for and that takes some time, as well.
“From a defensive point of view, it’s nice to keep clean sheets but at the same time it’s nice for the defence and goalkeeper to get some work in in these sorts of games.
“I think clean sheets and saves build confidence and they are what we are working towards.”
The goalkeeping coach spoke to West Ham TV following Saturday’s thrilling 3-2 pre-season victory at Southend United – a game in which debutant Dimitri Payet scored two spectacular goals and set up the Hammers’ own-goal winner.
Woods admitted the Hammers would still need to work on their defending ahead of the start of the 2015/16 Barclays Premier League campaign, but said the overall feeling among the backroom team was one of real optimism.
“It was definitely an entertaining game,” said the former England goalkeeper. “When you play teams like Southend, they make it difficult for you and they want to come out and prove something.
“We just had to come out and do the professional thing and we obviously went a goal behind, but Dimitri played exceptionally well, played a number of really telling passes and scored two great goals.”
With six goals scored in their opening two pre-season matches, Woods said manager Slaven Bilic and his staff were pleased with the number of opportunities the players are creating.
“I think that’s what it is all about, creating chances, and everybody says that if you are creating chances you are in the right place on the pitch,” he continued.
“With somebody who can see a pass like Dimitri did, that’s a forward’s delight. It’s the first time we have really seen him on the pitch and if the forwards can make the runs, they will love that and it’s really good to see.”
After two weeks when one half of the squad was based in Ireland and the other was concentrating on UEFA Europa League football, the group came together in full on Monday.
“It has been a little bit different but it is what it is and we have to do the best that we possibly can. Everybody has bonded together and made the most of an awkward situation at times.”
With all the players now working under the eye of Bilic and his staff, Woods says the coaches can start working out exactly what areas need improving and the strengths that already exist.
“Obviously we are looking to improve all the time and we will use this period of the pre-season to iron a few things out,” he added. “The manager needs to explain what he is looking for and that takes some time, as well.
“From a defensive point of view, it’s nice to keep clean sheets but at the same time it’s nice for the defence and goalkeeper to get some work in in these sorts of games.
“I think clean sheets and saves build confidence and they are what we are working towards.”