After this season West Ham can never complain about fixture congestion and tiredness again.
The Hammers were spoilt to three unforgettable years of matches almost every three or four days.
As a result, there was a constant buzz around the club.
Missing out on those European nights sprinkling a bit of magic over the season has been difficult to adjust to for West Ham fans.
Exiting both domestic cups at the third round stage and being in Premier League no man’s land – with no hope of a European spot and no danger of relegation – has removed all jeopardy from the campaign.
It has also left the fixture list bare.
Lack of games for Potter to make West Ham his own
Graham Potter was appointed on January 9th. Yet he has overseen only 10 games in three months.
West Ham have played just two matches in 33 days ahead of the trip to Wolverhampton Wanderers on Tuesday.
In theory it is great for a new manager like Potter to get his ideas across to the players.
It certainly takes away any excuses about preparation, which were justified during sticky spells for David Moyes while West Ham were taking on all-comers in Europe.
Putting those ideas and the theory into practice in real games has been Potter’s biggest issue in what has been a mixed start to his Hammers career so far, though.
Three big things spotted in West Ham training for Wolves
The West Ham boss has been so concerned about his players getting rusty during the latest ridiculous break between games that he arranged a behind-closed-doors friendly against Brentford.
Although it was just a friendly, it kind of sums the club’s season that the Hammers lost 1-0.
Players not away on international duty have been training hard at Rush Green.
Those who have been away will be coming back in dribs and drabs this week.
The highest 16th placed West Ham can go with a win is 14th, above Spurs.
But the last thing Potter’s side want to do is let 17th placed Wolves gain ground on them.
Because it will be a lot harder for the Hammers to attract players in the summer if they finish one place off the relegation zone.
So West Ham need to be in the zone for this one at Molineux.
Preparations are stepping up for Wolves at Rush Green and West Ham have released footage from a session
Evan Ferguson’s worst nightmare is one of three big things were spotted in West Ham training for Wolves.
West Ham’s £5m training ground improvements now clear to see
Back in November, Hammers News exclusively revealed West Ham were spending £5m on improvements to the club’s much-maligned training complex.
Scaffolding was seen in the background of footage since then.
A West Ham spokesman has revealed to Hammers News back then that that works would continue until at least February, saying ‘we’re improving it all the time’.
“We’re spending £5m on improvement works at the training ground,” the West Ham spokesman told Hammers News at the time.
West Ham’s training facilities have been a longstanding joke among fans – both inside and outside the club.
Well the latest footage shows that work has been fully completed now and the building looks a lot more modern, sleek and befitting a Premier League club.
The grey, blue, black and claret clad building can be seen at the start of the footage, which you can watch at the bottom of this story.
Super sharp Fullkrug is Ferguson’s worst nightmare
After scoring a beauty for Republic of Ireland this week, Ferguson hit out at his lack of game time at West Ham.
The on loan Brighton man is yet to start for the Hammers.
Ireland assistant boss John O’Shea also hit out at Potter’s treatment of Ferguson.
The 20-year-old also vowed he will be pushing to get more game time when he returned to east London.
The last thing Ferguson will want to see then as he goes back to training is Niclas Fullkrug looking fit and super sharp.
Fullkrug wins praise from the West Ham staff as he twists and turns in a drill. The German is looking lean, mean and ready to play a part against Wolves.
He also scored a lovely goal in a small-sided high-intensity match. The 32-year-old starts a one-two before ghosting past the defenders, sitting down Wes Foderingham by faking a shot and then dinking it over him.
Being that Fullkrug is actually owned by West Ham and Ferguson is only on loan, it gives Potter the first real major dilemma of his tenure so far because the rest of the team pretty much picks itself.
Emerson out to impress Potter without his sidekick Paqueta
After losing his place to young Ollie Scarles, Emerson Palmieri has been linked with a move away from West Ham.
The Brazilian-born star is seen in training with compatriot Luis Guilherme.
But there is a notable absence from his side, Lucas Paqueta.
Fans will note that Paqueta informed Brazil he was not available for selection due to the start of his spot-fixing trial last week.
The trial is scheduled to end next week and Paqueta is required to be at the hearing – hence his absence from training ahead of Wolves.
Paqueta and Emerson are inseparable on and off the pitch.
It may be both leave the club this summer if reports are anything to go by. But Emerson certainly looked like a player with a point to prove as he shone in drills and small-sided games.
Emerson was restored to the starting XI against Everton last time out.
It will be interesting to see if he keeps his place at Wolves on Tuesday.
