Winger Dan Kemp believes the intense training camp organised for the U23s will prepare them in the best possible way ahead of a long season.
Kemp scored the winner in the team’s 2-1 victory over Dagenham and Redbridge on Saturday before the young Hammers jetted off to Slovakia a day later.
Terry Westley’s players face two matches in Eastern Europe, the first being against Spartak Trnava on Tuesday evening (18.30 BST), and Kemp believes the upcoming tests will prove vital when the regular season begins.
“To go away, it breaks the pre-season up a little bit. It’s nice to go and experience different scenery,” he said.
“It will be very hard out there because we’re playing against two very good teams and we’ll be training very hard to get ready for a long season.”
“But all the boys are looking forward to the trip. It’ll be great for bonding as well, and hopefully we can pick up some good things in Slovakia.”
Kemp’s winner in the triumph over the Daggers last weekend earned the youngsters their first victory of pre-season.
It will be very hard out there because we’re playing against two very good teams and we’ll be training very hard to get ready for a long season.
Dan Kemp
The Hammers took the lead in the first half after a neat finish from Jahmal Hector-Ingram but were harshly pegged back late in the second after a penalty drew the hosts level.
However, the U23s superiority over the course of the 90 minutes was rewarded in the dying embers after Kemp’s composed finish.
“It was a great feeling,” Kemp admitted. “Obviously it was very late in the game so to come up with a winning goal and to celebrate in front of our fans was brilliant.
“It was a great win and good performance from the boys. We played to our philosophy and moved the ball really well. We created a lot of chances and, to be fair, it probably should have been more comfortable than it was. But the most important thing is that we played well and it’s also nice to get the win.
Kemp’s progression over the last 12 months has seen him go from being a regular in the U18s to a Dylan Tombides Award nominee, and eventually to an England youth international.
But the youngster remains grounded as he prepares for another crucial season in his development.
“Last season was great but I’ve now put that behind me and now it’s time to keep on progressing and do even better this year. I need to make sure I cement a place in the U23s team and do the things I was doing last year even better.
“I think my plan is to stay here and fight for my place in the U23s and hopefully I can do really well again and then we’ll see where it goes from there.”