Jarvis out to impress in Andorra

Matt Jarvis says West Ham United must put on a show for the Club’s loyal supporters in Andorra on Thursday.

The Hammers will be cheered on by more than 450 of the 1,200 fans inside the Estadi Comunal d’Andorra La Vella when they take on FC Lusitans in their UEFA Europa League first qualifying round second leg tie.

West Ham go into the game with a seemingly comfortable 3-0 advantage, but winger Jarvis says the presence of so many committed supporters will be incentive enough to ensure no complacency slips into their game.

“I think it just shows how good the supporters are, selling out Upton Park for the first game of pre-season,” Jarvis enthused. “It’s a Europa League game and it’s fantastic to be back in Europe and it’s incredible to be able to sell out the game.

“It just shows the sort of fans we do have, especially the ones who are coming out here as well. It’s a good journey to come out and really enjoy the away leg.

“I don’t think we’re going to need any more incentive than that which we give ourselves. We want to do a professional performance, see it out and improve on the things we did in the first game. The manager is obviously going to be watching again and it’s an opportunity for the senior and young players to impress again.”

For Jarvis, the game represents another chance to put on a show manager Slaven Bilic after he caught the eye in the first leg a week ago.

The No7 tore the Lusitans defence to shreds at times, racing down the flanks and providing cross after cross, one of which was headed home by captain James Tomkins.

“This is a great opportunity to show the new manager what you can do and a great platform to be playing in the Europa League,” he confirmed. “It’s obviously pre-season as well, so it’s an opportunity to play some games as well and get your fitness levels up and show the manager exactly what you can do.

“You’ve got to think of yourself at some point and the main aim is to stay fit through pre-season and really impress the manager. It’s a fresh start for everyone. Competition for places is no greater incentive for a player to show his best.

“I spoke to the manager privately in Ireland, as did all the players I presume, and he has told us all it is a fresh start and everyone will get an opportunity.”

Looking further forward, should West Ham safely negotiate their mountain-top date with the Andorran league runners-up, Jarvis is relishing the prospect of another bumper crowd for the home leg of the second qualifying round.

Birkirkara of Malta or FC Ulisses of Armenia will provide the opposition, and while the travelling contingent supporting the visitors might not be the biggest, the England international is clearly confident that the Claret and Blue Army can sell-out the Boleyn Ground once more.