“Four coming in here for West Ham, will it fall to one of them… it might just be Carlton Cole! VAZ TE!!! Ricardo Vaz Te might just have fired West Ham back to the Premier League!”
Wow, what a day that was for all associated with our beloved club! A season of hard work and endeavour to bounce straight back, a season that was spearheaded in the second half by that man Ricardo Vaz Te.
Signed by Sam Allardyce in the January transfer window to bolster his attacking options, the Portuguese striker made quite an impact. With 12 goals in just 18 games, including an incredible hat-trick, Vaz Te quickly became a fan’s favourite (we even claimed ‘He scores when he wants’). Since that unforgettable day, he just hasn’t managed to rediscover that form.
Although he wasn’t firing on all cylinders, I didn’t actually think he was doing too bad at the start of the season, however his progress was halted when he suffered a dislocated shoulder in a home defeat to Arsenal in October. He returned on a miserable afternoon in late December away at Reading. After a lacklustre display from the Hammers, he actually looked bright, along with other substitute Jack Collison and despite a glaring miss (for which he apologised to the fans!) he was one of the better players on the pitch that day.
Then came an important home game to Norwich City and Vaz Te started. There’s no other way to say it, he had an absolute shocker! Nothing went right for him and his performance was abysmal, not helped by the fans moaning but we had a reason to, he was awful! His touch was bad, his passes were off, he was lazy and he kept giving the ball away. However, there was a glimmer of hope in the second half when he saw his header hit the post but it just was not his day.
Since that home game against Norwich, Vaz Te has been a shadow of the player that we saw last season. In my opinion, it was a definite turning point. He seems to have lost his confidence and flair. He’s never been a hardworking player but he’s been so lazy recently. Even when given the opportunity to burst forward, beat a man and possibly get a shot away, he seems to shy away too, often checking his run and passing backwards. It’s almost as if he’s scared to give the ball away.
Many of you will say “Oh well, he’s a Championship player anyway, he can’t do it in the Prem!” Well I beg to differ; I think he can do it in the big time. He was undoubtedly one of our main players last season and when he got the ball everyone was on the edge of their seat, he has shown he’s got the ability, I don’t think you could claim it was a fluke. So why hasn’t he shown it this season? I think it’s down to his confidence; he looks to play safe instead of darting forward for fear of letting the team and fans down.
I think deep down, he is a good player and he can produce in the Premier League, he just needs to ‘rediscover’ himself that explosive form that he had last season. Perhaps a start would be getting his old hair back! Either way, whether he sorts himself out and improves or not, we all need to stick by him. Not just because he plays for West Ham but also because without him I’m not sure we’d even be in the Premier League, his goals were vital, and if that’s not enough then just remember without him, May 19th 2012, that special day that will live long in everyone’s memory, could have turned out oh so differently.
Most Importantly…COYI!
What are you talking about which bunch of fans haven’t stuck by him? he’s under-performed but I’ve not heard many critisize him especially because Nolan has been missing for a while. Strange arcticle I must say.
Not saying anyone hasn’t stuck by him, just saying we need to as I think you’ll agree, at times he’s been woeful this season! I’ve heard quite a few have a pop at him and Nolan. But, I suppose it is a game of opinions!
Best player on the pitch last night. We would be top 6 if Sam played him up top!
Hugh Bevan , you are joking right!? or did you watch a different game!? Vaz te last night was at best, average. Yes he scored but there was probably 7 hammers players that were better, get a grip!
What ????????????? Vaz Te has been Hammers BIGGEST under performer this season by a mile. Last night was one game where he did something positive for once. He owes us big time for a series of lazy, disinterested and lacklustre games this season, and one performance doesnt repay the debt !!
Hugh do u actually watch west ham? This is the man that kept moaning about Collins and calling for him to be dropped! For me Hammer if the yr is a 3 horse race, Diame, Collins or Reid. Noble, O’Brien and Jaski also deserve a mention.
Vaz best player on the pitch?? He did well but he still looked very lazy and flat footed for much of the game..James Collins was a beast last night..and u said he cost us 5 games on his own this season…
Last season he often played on the left allowing him to cut inside and hit those powerful dipping shots at goal that we saw constantly. Now hes played on the right his game has to be more about using his pace to get down the line and counter attack but his crossing his woeful. I personally feel we need a bigger threat on the right flank but he does seem to have a good partnership and understanding with Demel. Vaz is one of the main reason we a playing Premier League football and the fans will always have a soft spot for him but i think hed be better used as an impact sub rather then starting him and hope he performs how we all no he can.