Having seen West Ham achieve two draws and two defeats so far in their friendlies, fans might be a little perplexed with the results, but the whole point of playing friendly matches is to prepare the team for the forthcoming 'serious and meaningful' fixtures ahead. As all the Austrian tour fixtures are being televised, it is safe to assume that those assistants who work for Conte of Chelsea, Hammers first opponents in the Barclays Premier League, and Guardiola at Manchester City Hammers third opponents, will have compiled DVD footage of what has been on show . It is also safe to assume that Slaven Billic is also aware that the teams and players he puts out will be under close scrutiny, and as such it would be churlish to judge the team's performances using a results based logic. Having been an International manager on the big stage Billic is no stranger to 'slinging a wringer' when it comes to what his teams display in friendlies and training, after all he was brought up in a totalitarian state where walls had ears! Why on earth would he show his best hand to his competitors so close to their potential league encounters?
To us watching on TV, Slaven's body language was that of a contented father having witnessed his son fall of their bicycle for the first time, knowing that they can only get better! - Ed
