It isn’t only West Ham United’s huge army of fans who were relieved to see their talismanic captain pictured with Chairman Daniel Kretinsky in Prague as he sealed the deal to say at West Ham next season.
The Hammers’Danish goal keeper has been describing the importance on West Ham’s squad of hearing the news that first the manager and then skipper Jarrod Bowen had committed to the club for another season, despite relegation to the second tier.
“Consistency is always good, and I think Nuno staying was really important. Then it was fantastic to hear Jarrod was staying. He’s our captain, our leader, so it was huge to know that he wasn’t going anywhere.”
Reflecting on the board room changes of last month from the player’s perspective, Hermansen has given a big thumbs up to the aura of positivity that has surrounded the first team squad, surprisingly, despite falling through the Premier League relegation trap door:
Throughout pre-season, the mood and spirit around the Club has been really good, and I’ve enjoyed coming in and working hard every day. I think we’ve turned a corner from last season, and we’re all looking forward to going again when the new season gets underway” (whufc.com)
And as for his verdict on the challenge of playing in the most competitive league of them all? As a Championship veteran, Hermansen knows the league only too well:
“It’s going to be physical, but I hope we’re able to control the games a bit more. I think we’ve seen signs of our ability to do that in pre-season, so we’re going to try to build on that going forward.”
From the old Bobby Moore Upper to the Billy Bonds’ stand these days – sometimes- have to admit I have not renewed my season ticket… I’ve been watching since ’03 and a supporter since about 1970..
Favourite player – Dean Ashton: Still watch YouTube repeats of the Cup Final of 2006 hoping in vain that Shaka Hislop grows six inches and stops Steven Gerrard’s injury time equaliser. Can tell I’m getting old knowing I saw both Mark Noble’s debut and his last game at West Ham.
Pulling on a Claret and Blue replica shirt still makes me feel the same butterflies as when I was seven years old. Magic.