West Ham United striker Andy Carroll has lifted the lid on the brutal way the team welcomes new players to the club.
The Hammers have endured a tough second season under Slaven Bilic although improved form of late has pushed the club up to the relative comfort of midtable.
Despite a difficult first campaign at the Olympic Stadium and the sour end to the recent Dimitri Payet saga spirits remain high in East London.
While Payet left for Marseille, Bilic brought in Robert Snodgrass and Jose Fonte who should both heed Carroll’s warning after he revealed the brutal way the team welcomes new players to the club in an interview with club sponsor Betway.
West Ham United’s Andy Carroll celebrates
Report delivers update on fight over future of West Ham statue, lifts lid on main stumbling block
“I think the team does that (helps new players settle in),” Carroll told Betway.
“When ‘Cress’ (Aaron Cresswell) first came in, I asked him if he knew anyone and he didn’t.
“The next thing you know, he was in with the group and everyone was just battering him for everything.
Aaron Cresswell in action against Manchester City
“He didn’t know what to do, he didn’t expect it. It was just the lads and the banter, and then from one day not knowing everyone he felt like he was mates with the lot of them.
“I think that’s what the dressing room does here especially.”
David Sullivan makes a desperate plea to disgruntled West Ham fans
Snodgrass and Fonte will be hoping to help their new side restore some positivity when they travel to Southampton on Saturday after a humiliating 4-0 defeat to Manchester City on their debuts last time out.
And Cresswell will also be hoping he is not on the end of some real criticism from his teammates after enduring a torrid time against Pep Guardiola’s side, gifting them the opening goal and being run ragged by Raheem Sterling throughout.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
