The past couple of seasons have seen ‘unsung heroes’ emerge at the Boleyn Ground, with the likes of Gary O’Neil and Matty Taylor perhaps not receiving as much praise as they were due. These types of players are often renowned for their hard work-rate and all round commitment to the team, and it’s fair to say O’Neil and Taylor offered each in abundance.
During our promotion season, and subsequent first season back in the Premier League, Gary O’Neil, despite not being a fans’ favourite put in an excellent shift for the Hammers are managed to grab himself a couple of goals along the way. Despite not possessing the natural ability and flair that fans love to see nowadays, the Englishman would give his all for the team, and what more can you ask for?
The same can be said for the experienced Matty Taylor – a few wonder goals in his Portsmouth days aside, Taylor’s individual moments of magic are fairly limited. Nonetheless, similar to O’Neil, Matty Taylor’s performances in the centre of midfield during the second half of last season in particular, deservedly earned him a starter’s place for a while.
In terms of a potential unsung hero during the upcoming campaign, I suppose we’ll just have to wait and see. I have said in previous articles that I am pleased with the business the board have done this summer, getting rid of so called ‘dead-wood’ and bringing in young, exciting prospects. Despite having a poor pre-season results wise, I certainly believe that the squad has a lot more quality that it did last year, and I am expecting fairly consistent, impressive displays from the majority, if not all of the side.
On paper, I honestly believe the current side is more than a 13th placed Premier League side, but then again, games are not won on paper. Looking at the current playing staff at the Boleyn Ground, I do not see players similar to the likes of O’Neil or Taylor anymore – hard working, determined, but quite honestly, no more than squad players over the long term. The likes of Cheikhou Kouyate and Diego Poyet are players who are, and will continue to genuinely challenge for a first team spot, and possess the quality to nail one down and help the club progress for years to come.
Therefore, it’s fairly difficult to see where an unsung hero will come from this coming campaign, as I would not be surprised to see impressive seasons from a vast majority of the side. There is undoubted quality in the Hammers’ side now, and with the signings that have been made this summer there is no time for excuses.
Kouyate and Cresswell are already showing what good signings they are, and I am very hopeful that our loan RB Jenkinson will also prove inspired. Of the regulars, downing is showing some of the work ethic and accuracy he was brought in for. One of these I believe will provide your answer.