At the beginning of last season Sam Allardyce brought in two right backs who were more than adequate to play in the Championship for the Irons. These pair of course, were Joey O’Brien who signed on as a free agent from Bolton Wanderers and Guy Demel also on a free from German Bundesliga giants Hamburg. However the question for this season is are the pair good enough quality to play in the Premier League?
The fastest growing Hammers website is now on Facebook, click the link to be entered into our up and coming competitions http://www.facebook.com/pages/ForeverWestHamcom/200938616608282
While O’Brien, a former player for Sam Allardyce, spent time at Premier League outfit Bolton, the full back’s found chances in the first team few and far between, and the right sided defender racked up around only 50 appearances for Bolton with two loan spells at Sheffield Wednesday which broke up his time at the club. While O’Brien has never shone at a club, his versatility which enables him to play on either flank or in the middle and alongside a hardworking mentality, this made him a favourable option for Allardyce who new the player well from his Bolton days. Last season, O’Brien made 27 starts for the Hammers (scoring 1 goal vs. Watford) during which time 22, goals were conceded of the 48 the outfit conceded in total. Of these 27 games, only 13 times did the Hammers come away with 3 points, a win percentage of 48%, and far from adequate for a team, then chasing promotion. However this record is also coupled with O’Brien’s average performances that may lead to many pundits and critics scrutinising the full back and questioning whether the three time Republic of Ireland international is of quality enough to play in the top flight of English football.
Guy Demel on the other hand, was quite a surprise acquisition to the squad at the beginning of the 2011/’12 season, with the player landed from German Giants Hamburg. Demel, who has featured around 35 times for his country (Cote D’Ivoire) has played at the top level in Germany as well as in Europe and in major international tournaments recently featuring, notably, in Ivory Coast’s 2010 World Cup Squad. Demel was plagued by niggling injuries through most of last season, and while the big defended failed to shine, his consistency and solid defending at the back has to be appreciated. While he was not blessed with pace, Demel’s record for last season is only 10 appearances, 10 of which were starts. During those matches, the Hammers won 8 of the featured fixtures, conceding only 7 goals, including the playoff semi finals and final in which Demel was present. Although the African defender did not have his best game in the final, it is an opinion that he should be tried and tested at the most senior level of English football and his experience at the top certainly cannot be questioned.
Looking for experience? Just want to be heard outside of the Boleyn? We are currently looking for writers, drop us an email at foreverwestham@snack-media.com for more details
As for transfer activity, the right back berth has been a quietly discussed position, and the pair will most likely look to battle it out for a starting position in Big Sam’s XI vs. Aston Villa on August the 18th. Stephen Ward was a decent full back for Wolves last season and it is surprising that he is yet to be snapped up by a bigger club, however the defender generally plies his trade of the left side. A loan option could be available to Allardyce as he often favours this method of transfer, perhaps the Irons could look up the table to those looking for first team football such as Kieran Gibbs of Arsenal? Again a move is unlikely. Of the Premier League clubs who released full backs last season Jose Bosingwa, Michel Salgado and Gretar Steinsson are yet to find clubs, and while fans would by and large, prefer a new signing in this position don’t give up on Joey and Guy yet, particularly the latter, who could have much yet to still prove in a Hammers’ shirt next season.
Follow me on twitter @markjohnson007
Ever dreamt about getting paid for reading about West Ham? Well now you can make dreams a reality http://bit.ly/ffc-foreverwestham-lp
In fairness to JOB, he lost two years through injury, that is the only reason why he did not make more appearances at Bolton and for Ireland, he was certainly the best right back at the club without a doubt and looked a real promising international player too. Unspectacular in his style maybe, but steady and reliable, very seldom making any cock ups. Only time will tell if he is ready to once again be a PL player
This is an amazing blog!
Stiensson is quality, as a bolton fan I’m amazed we let him go.