'This trip's allowed us to take a step forward'

a day ago

West Ham boss Graham Potter believes his side took a "step forward" on their tour of the USA and is upbeat on the chances of a "strong season".The Hammers concluded the Premier League Summer Series in the USA with a 2-0 win over Bournemouth, which resulted in a second-place finish to overall winners Manchester United."It's always nice to win," said Potter. "Regardless of the result, we've had a really positive few weeks."The team is really connected, and there's a lot of togetherness in the group. We're really happy with the environment, and really happy with the culture at the moment."I think we rode our luck a little bit [against Bournemouth], but at the same time, we scored some goals and got better in the second half. So, there's lots to be positive about."I think this trip has allowed us to take a step forward in terms of the tactical perspective."I think we've had good exposure to the sorts of challenges we're going to face throughout the season, including during the games."Training's been good with the players, so I think we've just taken an overall step forward."We have to recover now, head home and then get ready to continue our preparations for the new season."Every day, we're getting closer to where it all matters. As long as we just focus on the next day and keep improving, I'm really positive we're going to have a strong season."

Hashtags

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

'Good that Amorim knows he is on his last chance'

BBC News

17 minutes ago

BBC News

'Good that Amorim knows he is on his last chance'

Ruben Amorim suggested in an interview with BBC Sport's Simon Stone that he wants "to stay 20" years at Old Trafford and the team at The Devils' Advocate podcast have no problem with such a oversaw one of the worst seasons in Manchester United's history when he took over from Erik ten Hag last things are off to a more positive start this campaign with the signings of Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo, alongside pre-season success in coming out on top in the Premier League Summer Radio Manchester's Gaz Drinkwater said: "I hope he is here for 20 years as well."On last week's podcast, I said I don't want to hear this word 'suffer' anymore, because he [Amorim] literally said in his post-season announcement to the crowd on the pitch that the good times are coming now."So it is good that he knows he is on his last chance."Co-host Joe McGrath agreed, adding: "Staying 20 years would mean he is a success."It is interesting that he himself says he has used all the credit, so he knows that he really, really needs to kickstart the season with wins - with big wins as well."It will be why he is working really hard to push through the transfers. I hope we don't work so hard that mistakes are made and we regret certain things or spend certain money in the wrong way. He knows the pressure is on him. "Ole [Gunnar Solskjaer] might have suggested he wanted to manage United for 20 years but you never thought that about Mourinho or Ten Hag, but Amorim has come out and been quite vocal and said it."It is exciting because if that is the case then you have a got a very hungry manager who speaks very well, speaks so honestly and is managing Manchester United in what is going to be an interesting time for the club."Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds

Man United 'finally make their move for Benjamin Sesko as they lodge first official bid' and look to beat Newcastle to RB Leipzig striker

Daily Mail

17 minutes ago

Daily Mail

Man United 'finally make their move for Benjamin Sesko as they lodge first official bid' and look to beat Newcastle to RB Leipzig striker

Manchester United have made their first offer for Benjamin Sesko as they look to beat Newcastle to the signing of the RB Leipzig striker, according to reports. The bid is said to be worth £65million up front plus £8.6m in add-ons - but Leipzig are not yet thought to have responded to the proposal from Old Trafford. The development sets up an intriguing two-way fight between Premier League rivals United and Newcastle, both of whom were reportedly told that Sesko is keen to join them. As of Monday night, the Magpies were pushing hard to wrap up the deal. Newcastle were determined to move quickly to agree terms with Leipzig after the Bundesliga club looked to negotiate the structure of an initial approach worth £70m. Sesko even emerged as Eddie Howe 's top attacking target in light of Liverpool 's swoop for Alexander Isak, but interest from United remained. It was thought last week that the Red Devils were his preferred destination, but, unlike Newcastle, United did not table a formal offer over the weekend. More to follow.

Newcastle United make second bid for Benjamin Sesko

ITV News

19 minutes ago

ITV News

Newcastle United make second bid for Benjamin Sesko

Newcastle have submitted a second bid for RB Leipzig forward Benjamin Sesko, the PA news agency understands. The Magpies had an initial offer, reportedly worth £65.4million with a further £4.3m in potential add-ons, rejected last week for the Slovenia international. An improved offer of £69.7m plus add-ons has now been submitted to the Bundesliga club, it is understood. Recent reports in Slovenia claimed the 22-year-old, who has also been linked with Manchester United, would prefer a move to St James' Park rather than Old Trafford. It comes after he was left out of Leipzig's squad for Saturday's friendly against Atalanta. Should Newcastle succeed in landing Sesko, capped 41 times by Slovenia and who scored 21 goals in 45 appearances in all competitions for Leipzig last season, it could have a huge bearing on the future of striker Alexander Isak. Newcastle have rejected a £110million bid from Liverpool for the Sweden international, who had been training at former club Real Sociedad after revealing he could be open to a move. Isak headed back to Tyneside on Monday morning for showdown talks with Newcastle boss Eddie Howe as the rest of the squad returned from their pre-season trip to Singapore and South Korea. The Magpies are also pursuing an interest in Brentford's Yoane Wissa and the success of bringing in one, or both, of their targets could be key to what happens with Isak. Should Howe be satisfied with the 25-year-old's commitment, Newcastle will be keen to keep hold of a player who scored 23 goals in 34 Premier League appearances last season and whose contract runs until the summer of 2028.