The match up against Manchester United was clearly a great compliment to how far we have come as squad since our time back in the Npower Championship. But with injuries still keeping out crucial figures such as Andy Carroll and Mohamed Diame, many fans feared our season would start to crumble, however, one man look set to feel at least one of those voids and his name is Alou Diarra.
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Diarra was outstanding when he competed against the likes of the sensational Paul Scholes and Thomas Cleverley and proved that he was capable of challenging at Premier League level, after years spent playing in France.
When Diarra first signed for West Ham United, it looked as though we signed yet another player crippled by injuries, however, it appears as though that rough patch has now passed and it’s fair to say he didn’t look a foot out of place in the heart of the claret and blue midfield.
Up until now I feel the Hammers to some extent, have had to rely on the sheer power and presence of Momo Diame, it was hard to see how well we would cope without such a vital player and if it would put too much pressure on the inform Mark Noble to carry the side. Much to my surprise, it looks as though we have got the perfect man to feel the shoes of Diame, in the former Marseille central midfielder, Alou Diarra.
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Diarra doesn’t base his game on driving forward and taking on the opposing players as Diame does, but what he does do is mark players out of the game and position himself perfectly to help break down attacks. Although he is more of a defensive player than Diame, he is not afraid to go forward and try his luck either picking out a team mate or having an effort on goal.
In central midfield we have plenty of options, with the likes of Mark Noble, Momo Diame, Jack Collison, Kevin Nolan, Joe Cole and Alou Diarra, bearing in mind a couple of them can play out wide too. Too be honest I would hate to be in Big Sam’s position when choosing who will start and who will only make the bench.
Once we have Diame back from Injury I expect Sam Allardyce to opt for Diame and Noble holding, with Cole and Ricardo Vaz Te in the wide positions, with Carlton Cole up top on his own, with Nolan operating the role just behind him, leaving Diarra and Collison to settle for a substitute role. Despite that no doubt Diarra will be pushing for a starting place and really get Big Sam thinking.
With players returning from injury and Diarra hitting a bit of form I can really see us performing well in our next few fixtures. With Sunderland our next league fixture I fancy our chances, with a solid 2-0 victory, shortly followed by a trip to Old Trafford for the second leg replay of the FA Cup third round which will be a struggle, but you never know in football. Then match up against a questionable QPR side which has 2-1 win written all over it.
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It will be interesting to see the starting line-ups in the next 3 matches, whoever is chosen I expect us to perform well and put up a real good fight. COYI! Follow me on Twitter @JimboWHUFC77
Matty Jarvis over Vaz Te all day long, both him and cole can effectively swap flanks too!
I agree with Terry. Vaz, as well as he performed last year, looks uninterested and not capable of performing in the Premier League. Jarvis is starting to find his feet and seems to be putting the ball in the right areas with his delivery. With Carroll back, Cole and Jarvis will have something to aim for and I think he could flourish in the 2nd half of the season. If not, no loss, send him back to Liverpool and persue other targets in the summer.
Agree with Terry, Jarvis over a frustrting Vaz Te every day of the week
Diarra is a current French INternational, starts most games and has been captain
it’s not exactly a surpirse that he’s good
Said all along that Vaz Te is just not good enough.No end product and seems to lack heart and interest. Jarvis is the perfect winger, i.e. he makes space then whips it in when the forwards expect it, and Diarra is a full French international so clearly is up to speed.
The future bright the futures westham COYI
If vaz gets a couple goals he will get back to how he was last year he’s been out for 12 weeks don’t forget
What a difference Sam has made to the team since coming in ,turning a squad who were a disgrace into a squad that will put a very good game up against anyone , obviously we have the odd mare along the year but can,t wait for the next game .Top half finish this year COY!!!!
We’ll get a lot more out of Jarvis if we play him on the right where he belongs. He’s an old fashioned winger who wants to go outside his full back and whip in crosses from the byline. Playing him on the left forces him to do this with his weaker foot.
On current form (half a season) Jarvis seems to me over hyped and not worth the money.
Vaz Te has got goals in him and contrary to popular opinion, I’d prefer Vaz Te on the pitch rather than Jarvis.
But it’s not about that, it’s about the squad having more quality in depth in the squad. Too often this season Jarvis or Taylor or Oneil haven’t done the business and we haven’t had a quality option on the bench to change things. Our attacking options were extremely limited if our wingers weren’t doing it. No service. No penetration.
Now we’ve got Cole, Vaz Te, Jarvis and Taylor!
COYI !!
I can’t believe how quickly things have changed in less than a month! Lol. All the doom and gloom caused by the injury fuelled run of defeats seem almost to be a distant memory! With the return of a few vital,players and activity in the transfer window and BOOM! The whole place is rocking again!!! The most important thing to come from the blogs is that we are all talking about different players in different positions which is great for debate but also shows we are now getting real strength in depth at last! With possible more quality signings to come I like many cant wait for the rest of the season! COYI!
I thought Jarvios was much better vs Norwich, and looked good when came on v United
Him and Cole should be starting, Vaz doesn’t look anywhere near fit to me