With the Hammers strikers misfiring this season like a D reg work van, it begs the question why Sam Allardyce doesn’t unleash the partnership that most Hammers fans want to see at the Boleyn against Watford this Wednesday, Nicky Maynard and Carlton Cole.
Big Sam’s preference to start with Vaz Te has left me slightly underwhelmed the last two games, although offering some obvious raw pace he tends to give the ball away far too often and doesn’t seem to get into those all important scoring positions.
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Along with most fans, I can’t grumble at recent results and the performance at Blackpool was of course impressive but our current formation tends to support a big guy up front which Maynard certainly is not. As soon as Cole enters the fray to replace Maynard from his now familiar bench seat, the hammers midfield comes alive from his undoubted quality at linking the play. If only Maynard could be introduced to mop up Cole’s intelligent knock downs the Hammers could be cementing their Premier League space.
So what is Big Sam waiting for, maybe it’s Carlton’s fitness that is the issue? He definitely looks a thicker set this year and if rumours over a Ledley King style dodgy knee and a very light training regime are to be believed perhaps his appearances have to be rationed.
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Knowing Big Sam’s determination to stick to his guns we will probably see the same formation from now until the end of the season but hopefully he cannot ignore the threat of Cole up front and maybe Maynard floating in from the wing in the Vaz Te role.
In my opinion, Maynard and Cole would be the fiercest strike force in the Championship but to coin the phrase ‘in Big Sam we trust’ has to come into play. The bustling Brummie has worked wonders to turn a group of players you would be forgiven for calling under achievers into a tough, determined team that until recently were sitting pretty at the top of the Championship table.
So Cole and Maynard may have to wait. Let’s hope when they do get some match time together they can make up Big Sam’s mind for him by banging in the goals to lift the Hammers back up where they belong.
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Maynard’s finishing was poor on Sunday, give little Sammy Baldock a start tomorrow night up top with Coley, in my opinion they’re our best 2 forwards. Vaz Te on the right/Taylor on the left, Noble and Nolan in the middle with our usual(ish) back four of JO’B, Faye, Tonks and Linda. By far our best 11 (well I’d rather Collison or Lansbury to Nolan but we all know that ain’t happening).
Why not Maynard and Baldock? Who says we need a lump up front? Lower table sides all have centre halves who can easily deal with an aerial threat. What they don’t have is centre halves who can deal with genuine pace, getting turned and facing their own goal. Unleash them Sam !
why not??
because cole is lazy and does not score enough.
we must give baldock more time on the pitch and use cole in emergencies only.
I think its at least worth a try.. but do agree that Baldock shouldn’t be overlooked. He looked sharp against Palace despite missing two good chances and if he’s not starting should at least be the first sub on when it’s not happening for us.