Ian Pearce is hoping to put his injury problems behind him once and
for all - though he is resigned to missing the start of the season.
His injury problems are well documented, though he hoped to have a fresh start this campaign.
A knee problem, however, has blighted his preparations and he is just keeping his fingers crossed he will not need an operation which could rule him out until Christmas.
He made 14 starts and three substitute appearances last campaign, and says:
"Last season, to be fair, I knew when I came back it was going to be a season where I had to recover and get fit again.
"As soon as I got back in the team we went on a nice unbeaten run of games, but then I got a little niggle which I fully expected.
"When you have a bad injury you are always going to get secondary injuries as you are adapting to getting fit again.
"Oviously I was disappointed towards the end of the season when the manager wasn't picking me when I was fit, but you have to keep your head down and get on with it.
"Now I want to get back in the team and when I do start getting a regular game."
Despite his injury, summer reports suggesting his old club Blackburn and Fulham were interested in his services, but he says:
"I know there has been stuff in papers where my name has been mentioned but it has never been my intention to get away.
"You just take it with a pinch of salt to be honest.
"I really love West Ham; I really enjoy the club and like the players that are there.
"It is a really, really nice atmosphere."
Ian is looking forward to working under the new regime after the upheaval that took place in the summer, and adds:
"That was the club's decision but I've seen Harry quoted as saying what a good club West Ham is, so they've obviously left on reasonably good terms.
"But it is on with the new era now, and we all have to get behind Glenn.
"Everyone knows what a good coach he is and the players appreciate that; we know that we've all got to pull together instead of putting in little digs here and there."
He is unmoved by criticism of the appointment, and says:
"That always happens in football; people jump on people as soon as they can.
"But I think he will prove in time that he is the right man for the job."
His injury problems are well documented, though he hoped to have a fresh start this campaign.
A knee problem, however, has blighted his preparations and he is just keeping his fingers crossed he will not need an operation which could rule him out until Christmas.
He made 14 starts and three substitute appearances last campaign, and says:
"Last season, to be fair, I knew when I came back it was going to be a season where I had to recover and get fit again.
"As soon as I got back in the team we went on a nice unbeaten run of games, but then I got a little niggle which I fully expected.
"When you have a bad injury you are always going to get secondary injuries as you are adapting to getting fit again.
"Oviously I was disappointed towards the end of the season when the manager wasn't picking me when I was fit, but you have to keep your head down and get on with it.
"Now I want to get back in the team and when I do start getting a regular game."
Despite his injury, summer reports suggesting his old club Blackburn and Fulham were interested in his services, but he says:
"I know there has been stuff in papers where my name has been mentioned but it has never been my intention to get away.
"You just take it with a pinch of salt to be honest.
"I really love West Ham; I really enjoy the club and like the players that are there.
"It is a really, really nice atmosphere."
Ian is looking forward to working under the new regime after the upheaval that took place in the summer, and adds:
"That was the club's decision but I've seen Harry quoted as saying what a good club West Ham is, so they've obviously left on reasonably good terms.
"But it is on with the new era now, and we all have to get behind Glenn.
"Everyone knows what a good coach he is and the players appreciate that; we know that we've all got to pull together instead of putting in little digs here and there."
He is unmoved by criticism of the appointment, and says:
"That always happens in football; people jump on people as soon as they can.
"But I think he will prove in time that he is the right man for the job."