THIS weekend sees the start of the Academy season as West Ham
United travel to Bolton Wanderers and here Tony Carr gives his
thoughts on the season ahead.
"In terms of preparation, the balance between games and
training has been very good," said the West Ham United Academy
Director.
"With regards pre-season results we haven't done
particularly well and defensively I think we've conceded too
many goals, which is something we need to tighten up on.
"But results are not the be all and end all in pre-season. In
some games we've used trial players, which can disrupt the
shape of the team, and really the main goal is to prepare the squad
for the new season.
"We concluded our pre-season schedule with a tournament in
Japan, which was a very interesting week and successful in terms of
how the boys coped with the experience.
"We looked a bit tighter in defence over in Japan, so the
signs are good and hopefully we will come into the new season
peaking at just the right time.
"All in all, pre-season is about fitness and preparation and
trying to get the squad to a point where come the first Saturday of
the season everyone is ready and raring to go."
Tony and his squad flew back from the Osaka Tournament in Japan,
where they finished third, under some pretty unusual circumstances,
but he believes his players will be able to cope with the tough
schedule this week.
"We heard over the weekend that BA had gone on strike and we
were worried that we might be stuck an extra few days in Tokyo.
"Thankfully though when we flew out on the Sunday the only
thing we had to contend with was a 20 minute delay. That and the
fact there was no food on the plane, but all of the boys had
brought sandwiches and the like with them so nobody starved.
"It's a tough schedule because we only got back from Japan
at the start of the week, then some of the boys will have played in
the Reserves last night and now they are preparing for the first
game of the Academy season.
"But that is what it has to be and the players cope remarkably
well."
It has been another successful summer of Hammers Academy stars past
and present representing their countries. West Ham United had three
representatives at the Nordic Cup in the shape of Lorcan
Fitzgerald, Jordan Spence and Lee Hales, while this week Anton
Ferdinand was chosen for the England Under-21 squad.
Tony added: "It's a fantastic honour that these boys
represent their country and we just have to get on and try and
promote younger players through the ranks.
"Some of the older Academy players have gone out on loan at
the start of the season, which is another step in their
development.
"They will be playing for and against teams who desperately
need the points, and at this stage winning starts to become really
important. They start to develop their mental strength and
determination, and learn how to use their ability to help win a
game, as well as simply developing their technique and skill.
"We are now looking forward to the start of the season and
after a tough couple of weeks we will see how the players
respond."
Tony's Pre-season Test
18th August 2005