Last time we won every game, we got relegated! West Ham captain Mark Noble plays down pre-season form
- New boy Felipe Anderson played a starring role as West Ham eased past Ipswich
- Manuel Pellegrini has spent big this summer and started with six fresh faces
- Anderson made his presence known by scoring the first goal after three minutes
- Ellis Harrison equalised but Marko Arnautovic scored a winner in the second half
Another convincing win for West Ham in their preparation for the new season.
But Mark Noble, for one, is not carried away by the latest result in an impressive run.
He remembers the last time West Ham enjoyed as much pre-season success. That was in 2010 and under the management of Avram Grant.
West Ham’s club-record signing Felipe Anderson shone as they beat Ipswich on Saturday
He headed in the opening goal after just three minutes had been played at Portman Road
Marko Arnautovic secured the win after Ipswich new boy Ellis Harrison had drawn them level
‘We won every match – and then we got relegated !’ recalled Noble. He was pleased to win at Portman Road but knows that the serious business starts on August 12 at Anfield against Liverpool.
A daunting prospect – but for Lukasz Fabianski, it is a match to relish simply because it is in the Premier League.
Fabianski faced the prospect of second tier football this season after he was relegated with Swansea. Then came an £8 million rescue act by West Ham and the Poland international made his debut on Saturday.
Manuel Pellegrini has spent big this summer and started the game with six new faces
He could have been preparing to face Sheffield United on Saturday. Instead it is beaten Champions League finalists Liverpool eight days later.
‘Relegation, that wasn’t the best feeling but as a footballer you have to be ready for the different things. Going down with Swansea, that wasn’t ideal. It was not a great feeling.
‘Now I am just happy to be here and I am excited about the future. You can see there is quality in the group of players here. Hopefully we can now get better and better and be ready for the Premier League. We will get sharper and sharper.’
Jack Wilshere sees off the challenge of Tristan Nydam (left) to retain possession of the ball
The 4000-plus West Ham fans certainly went home happy. It is fair to say they have not exactly taken the current board to their hearts but they have to acknowledge the ambition of Davids Gold and Sullivan and Karren Brady.
Some £90 million-plus has been spent in the transfer market to but the likes of Felipe Anderson, Andriy Yarmalenko, Issa Diop. And, of course, Fabianski.
Jack Wilshere and Ryan Fredericks will prove to be two significant signings – and both cost nothing.
Goals from Anderson and Marko Arnautovic sealed the win with Ellis Harrison scoring for an Ipswich team who looked lively and inventive under new manager Paul Hurst.
Hurst’s summer spending amounted to a mere £1.5 million but in the likes of Harrison and Andre Dozzell ( the son of former Ipswich star Jason), Ipswich can anticipate a season of promise to counter the bleak pessimism that surrounded the club in recent years.
Ryan Frederick goes past his man with ease and wins a free-kick for having his shirt tugged
Goalscorer Arnautovic and Mark Noble applaud the travelling support at the final whistle
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