But West Ham can take a lot of encouragement from their unbeaten pre-season buildup to Premiership 05-06 which has seen four wins and four draws.
Pardew will relish in the skill Danny Gabbidon has shown at centre-back, who, minus giving away a penalty in today's match has looked solid and up to task against both TSV Munich 1860 and Osasuna who are certainly top quality sides.
Konchesky is a player surrounded by mixed sentiments, some fans doubt his ability and would it seems prefer the man who went the other way to Charlton, Chris Powell. However Konch has linked well with Etherington along the left, getting a few crosses in himself and looks solid in his defensive capacities.
Matthew Etherington has the world on his shoulders to prove he is Premiership class. He has many doubters though few it seems in the West Ham contingent. Not surprising, because Hammers fans know the skill and quality Matty adds to the side and will be encouraged to see that he looks in fine form scoring once in pre-season and maintaining a good quality of deliveries throughout the campaign buildup. Etherington is without doubt the key player for West Ham and seems in full confidence which will please his manager.
Noble looked tasty and was a potent and immediate impact on the game coming on as a substitute in the second half. Alan Pardew will have big hopes for Mark, who could be a useful player in the Premiership, probably in a role as a super-sub.
James Collins looks like a defender who, too, can only improve, with some solid performances under his belt.
Mikolanda the Czech trialist looked to have impressed Pardew, scoring twice against swedes Vastra Frolunda and once against Yeovil but despite the news that West Ham have offered a deal, there has been no follow up to say whether it has been accepted.
In goal, Roy Carroll is a keeper who, despite much criticism commands his box and looks comfortable. He will be an asset to the side, whilst Shaka Hislop's performance in the Osasuna shoot-out must have fired confidence within Shaka, his manager and the fans. Hislop saved two penalties and found himself unlucky not to drag Osasuna's fourth penalty out after getting his hands round the ball in a shootout which saw West Ham lose 8-7. The Upton Park favourite got a rousing reception when replacing Carroll with 15 minutes remaining and Shaka looks like a player who will do the fans proud when called upon.
On the flipside of the coin, Benayoun has been a little quiet, considering the expectations fans have of him. He hasnt come in and set the park alight immediately but with the majority of fans seemingly convinced of his quality already he may be suffering from complacency or just sheer pressure. However, there is a sense that we havent had long enough to see what he can do only playing a few minutes in friendlies against Palace and TSV Munich. Whatever his quality ultimately he is a fine alternative to some of the weaker midfield options such as Fletcher, Williams and the now thankfully departed Chadwick.
In midfield too Pards seems convinced Dailly is the central midfield solution, again playing him in that role today. If he seriously thinks Christian will bring anything to the Hammers lineup as a holding player here he is seriously misguided. This daft tactic is nothing but wasting a shirt which could be filled by the enthusiastic and talented Mark Noble.
The striking lineup is the prime concern for most fans, predominantly where our big name striker signing will come from. The three mainstays of the frontline have performed well and will look to continue that into the Premiership campaign. Blackburn here we come!
Pre-Season Results Roundup:
Falkenbergs FF 1 (1) - West Ham 3 (1)
Rodevag (27) Harewood (pen 33, 59)
Zamora (87)
FC Trollhattan 0 (0) - West Ham 3 (2)
Fletcher (16)
Zamora (35)
Sheringham (63)
Vastra Frolunda 0 (0) - West Ham 3 (0)
Mikolanda (51,83)
Ali Khan (og 90)
Yeovil Town 2 (2) - West Ham 2 (1)
Bastiani (3) Mikolanda (38)
Zamora (m/pen 66)
Zamora (85)
TSV Munich 1 (0) - West Ham 1 (1)
Krontiris (51) Harewood (33)
Crystal Palace 0 (0) - West Ham 1(1)
Etherington (36)
Den Haag 1 (0) - West Ham 1 (0)
Elia (61) Newton (m/pen)
Zamora (80)
West Ham 1 (1) - C.A. Osasuna 1 (0)
Ferdinand (14) Punal (pen 74)
Noble scores Oroz scores
Ward misses Romeo misses
Zamora scores Webo scores
Collins scores Delporte scores
Williams scores Sota scores
Newton scores Clavero scores
Mullins scores Flano scores
Benayoun misses Cruchaga misses
Gabbidon scores Izquierdo scores
Repka misses Cuellar scores
Osasuna win 8-7 on penalties
Pre-Season Form:
W W W D D W D D
Written by Barney French.