Is his Hammers career over already?

West Ham’s number seven Sam Baldock has quickly become the forgotten man since his instant impact following his summer arrival.

Sam Baldock, known for his large ‘organ’ quickly became a fans favourite because of his likeable character and hard work on the pitch has found first team football hard to come by of late thanks in part to the fantastic form of Ricardo Vaz Te and Carlton Cole.

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His arrival in the summer built great excitement and is still to this day one of the most viewed videos on Whutv. His fine early season form for MK Dons meant the Hammers moved quickly to secure their man, and beating Southampton to his signing in the process. But since his quick start in Claret and blue goals have been hard to come by and with the arrivals of Vaz Te and Nicky Maynard in January he has failed to start a game, whilst only making a handful of substitute appearances.

Little Sam is known for his predatory instincts in front of goal has failed to score since his penalty miss in the FA cup third round tie against Sheffield Wednesday. At the time he vowed to hit back

in style and prove that miss hadn’t affected his confidence. But in truth he hasn’t really been given much of a chance to prove himself since by Big Sam; who then went out and bought two more strikers on deadline day, thus limiting Baldocks first team opportunities.

Although many fans would love to see him get his chance in the top flight should the Hammers get back up many have accepted it is unlikely he will, and it is widely expected he will be loaned out to a championship club to gain more experience with Ipswich Town showing an interest in the 23 year old.

I think we all know and as does Sam Allardyce that the boy has talent and is the closest West Ham have had since Tony Cottee, but the form and performance of the team at the minute means unless

an injury occurs a change in the system and team is unlikely. Vaz Te and Cole have formed a good partnership with Cole on his own up top when the Hammers are defending and when on the attack

he is joined by Vaz Te, which gives the Hammers vital balance.

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But in my view he has become the forgotten man because he struggles to play in Big Sam’s system, Allardyce likes to play with one up top with wide men either side of Cole. And when Baldock was firing on all cylinders he played in a front two with Carew, a man who makes turning milk to quick.

So with that in mind Allardyce bought in two more experienced players and it looks to have paid dividence with Vaz Te’s superb form banging in 11 goals since his arrival. Vaz Te’s ability to both play on the wing and up front gives him the edge for me, as when Baldock played out wide he struggled to get involved in the game. Vaz Te’s trickery and speed has played a huge role in the Hammers upturn in fortune.

I am one of Baldock’s biggest fans, and his early season form was a joy to watch, but I just can’t see where he can fit in our current system and with Allardyce unlikely to play two up top if we are

promoted I just can’t see Baldock receiving a first team call up in the Premier league. Which is a real shame as when he first signed him I thought he would be the man to fire us back up to Premier

League.

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I think being loaned out if we get promoted will be the best thing for him, as long as the Hammers put a call back option as part of the agreement, as I still believe he could cut it in the Premier league as he is the fox in the box striker we had been missing. And if we don’t go up, well then I see him playing a huge role in our 2nd attempt of promotion.

Come on you Irons!

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