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FIVE key players for West Ham next season

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Ravel Morrison (West Ham)The odds seem to be in West Ham’s favour when it comes to our preseason preparations. Things are actually going well. We’ve bought some good value and good sounding players. The team seemed happy and healthy in France, and social media would suggest there’s some great bonding going on amongst the players. The signs are indicating that we may see a good team take to the field this year, and with that in mind, here’s who I think will be five key players for West Ham this season.

Adrian

Not that the man needed any more motivation to do well, but with a less than stellar display of goalkeeping on display from Spain at this year’s World Cup, Adrian must surely see a chance at getting into the national team if he can keep improving and continue to deliver world class performances (even as third keeper, it would still be a great achievement.) He’s brilliant on the pitch, but his strong relationship with fans will be crucial to encourage support and positivity from West Ham fans throughout the season – something especially valuable when times get tough.

Mark Noble

I realise Noble has his critics; I am not one of them. The man is a tireless worker for West Ham. He joked once that he’s done all of Kevin Nolan’s running for the past three years, but truthfully, he has actually done all of Kevin Nolan’s running for the past three years. My hope is that this year Noble is able to do less cleaning up, and more moving forward, but whatever role he plays in this season, I’m certain it’ll be a crucial one. Mark Noble, still key to West Ham, after all this time? Always.

Ravel Morrison

If the kid can finally decide to concentrate on playing football, he will be outstanding for the Hammers. He seems to be committed to returning to West Ham, and his online bromance with Andy Carroll suggests he’s actually settling into the senior team and building some camaraderie with his peers. We know Morrison is an exceptionally talented player, and if he can harness it and focus on scoring some more goals like his one against Spurs last season, he’ll be key to any success West Ham achieve this season

Winston Reid

Ever since Avram Grant left, Reid’s been one of my favourites. He’s been quietly confident in the back four, and has been crucial in West Ham maintaining clean sheets. Having said that, since last year’s ankle injury, he just didn’t return to being his best for the close of the season. After a proper summer of warming up and training with the squad, he should be back to good and ready to return to being a dominating force in the back four.

Someone New

One of the new boys is sure to be key for West Ham – otherwise, perhaps we shouldn’t have signed them. So out of (at the time of writing) Mauro Zarate, Cheikhou Kouyate, Aaron Cresswell and Diego Poyet, who will shine the brightest? For me, I think it will be Cresswell who ends up being pivotal to the season. We’ve had a very unsettled and inconsistent left back position for all of last season, and the idea of putting the eager to impress Cresswell there is something exciting.

Of course, this is my summer optimism running rampant, but I have faith in the above players to make a strong impact for the Hammers.

Who do you think will be key this season? Would you pick a different five players? Let us know below.

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4 comments

  • gary bell says:

    i also think winston reid will shine if he stays fit ,adrian what a bargin free ,and also a fit andy carroll will do well

  • Westhamwag says:

    Still worried about Ravel – didn’t he have a groin problem when he couldn’t play for us and then went to QPR on loan. Don’t remember him having any ops to right the injury. If he don’t get picked for the team will be suddenly have a groin problem again…..

  • Ollie says:

    The last time I was optimistic pre-season was under Avram Grant… I think I would have had Andy Carroll on that list. The spine of the team is what’s most important – Adrian, Reid, Noble and Carroll. And if it all goes wrong at least we have a nice kit.

  • COYI247 says:

    Relieved to hear people appreciate Noble like I do. Where I sit in the Alpari, I have to listen to people giving me grief when I suggest he should be in the England squad. He is a fantastic player and always puts in a shift. He had just one or two bad games last season (not through want of effort). That is all; what other player in the country has been as consistent as that?
    Sadly, I feel the precise opposite about Nolan. Whilst he is wonderful for team spirit etc, apart from the handful of brilliant games after his 2 suspensions, he was basically a complete passenger. It was sickening to watch it. When he wants to, Nolan can be electric – devastatingly good, but game in game out he has been the complete opposite of the gutsy Noble. Allardyce needs to make Nolan perform to his best every game or he has to go.
    I am worried about how Koyate and Noble can fit in together. Maybe, as suggested, one can release the other from defensive midfield into creative duties higther up the field. What West Ham REALLY needed was (and remains) is a reliable creative midfielder, rather than another defensive one.
    Morrison could be exactly that. What was most impressive was that when other players were panicing, they could pass to Morrison, who would know how just how to get out of trouble: So mature and such awareness. He could improve on making that dynamite pass – but that will come – and score more goals. So, it it is time for Morrison to step up to the plate: be a mature, responsible TEAM player…or he too has to go!

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