Raggy Soma admits that he is working harder than he has ever done
ahead of his first full season in England and quips: "I'm
not enjoying it at all!"
"The games are OK but the training is very hard," he adds.
"In Norway we have five months of preparation, not five weeks.
"But it is great to be here from the beginning of the season this time around.
"Last season I came into things with the campaign in full flow and it took longer to get in shape than I had counted on.
"It's harder here because everything is so concentrated, and in Norway there is a bit of room for time off, and a trip to Spain as well.
"So from five months to five weeks is quite a difference, and every month of work that I was used to is concentrated into one week here!
"Right now I am kind of stiff and sore but I think when the season starts my body and mind will be ready."
Raggy - an £800,000 signing from Bryne - was going to play for his old club in Norway during the break, but couldn't get clearance.
"I hadn't played much over here so I was going to play for my old club to stay fit, but it wasn't possible," he explains.
"The rules say you have to be on loan for three months, but West Ham wanted me back with the other lads.
"And the FA didn't want to make an exception, so I just trained with Bryne instead - but there was no problem."
He says he will be bide his time as he awaits his opportunity, but, with Igor Stimac and Stuart Pearce now departed, he has certainly moved up the pecking order.
"I just have to grab my chance whenever I get it, but I will be patient and not rush things," he insists.
"Of course I want to start the season but I haven't got that much experience, so we'll just have to see."
Of the summer's events, he says:
"I was very surprised when Harry left - and a little bit worried.
"With a new man coming in I thought I might be left in the cold.
"So I was very relieved when Glenn took over because Glenn knows me and what I can do.
"I'm really happy that Glenn got the job and you can see by the signings he has made that good players are coming to the club.
"I just have to do my best and hopefully, in time, I can become a regular for West Ham."
And he insists that the existing talent can perform well in the Premiership, despite the loss of Frank Lampard.
"Frank will be missed but I think there are enough good players here to take over from him."
"I definitely think we can have a good season; we have quite a good team, and there are a lot of excellent young players at the club."
"The games are OK but the training is very hard," he adds.
"In Norway we have five months of preparation, not five weeks.
"But it is great to be here from the beginning of the season this time around.
"Last season I came into things with the campaign in full flow and it took longer to get in shape than I had counted on.
"It's harder here because everything is so concentrated, and in Norway there is a bit of room for time off, and a trip to Spain as well.
"So from five months to five weeks is quite a difference, and every month of work that I was used to is concentrated into one week here!
"Right now I am kind of stiff and sore but I think when the season starts my body and mind will be ready."
Raggy - an £800,000 signing from Bryne - was going to play for his old club in Norway during the break, but couldn't get clearance.
"I hadn't played much over here so I was going to play for my old club to stay fit, but it wasn't possible," he explains.
"The rules say you have to be on loan for three months, but West Ham wanted me back with the other lads.
"And the FA didn't want to make an exception, so I just trained with Bryne instead - but there was no problem."
He says he will be bide his time as he awaits his opportunity, but, with Igor Stimac and Stuart Pearce now departed, he has certainly moved up the pecking order.
"I just have to grab my chance whenever I get it, but I will be patient and not rush things," he insists.
"Of course I want to start the season but I haven't got that much experience, so we'll just have to see."
Of the summer's events, he says:
"I was very surprised when Harry left - and a little bit worried.
"With a new man coming in I thought I might be left in the cold.
"So I was very relieved when Glenn took over because Glenn knows me and what I can do.
"I'm really happy that Glenn got the job and you can see by the signings he has made that good players are coming to the club.
"I just have to do my best and hopefully, in time, I can become a regular for West Ham."
And he insists that the existing talent can perform well in the Premiership, despite the loss of Frank Lampard.
"Frank will be missed but I think there are enough good players here to take over from him."
"I definitely think we can have a good season; we have quite a good team, and there are a lot of excellent young players at the club."