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West Ham’s Unsung Hero?

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Gary O'NeilWell, that was the perfect West Ham performance at the weekend wasn’t it? 3 goals, a lot of good football played through out the game, and some very impressive finishing. Obviously we would have liked to keep a clean sheet but if it wasn’t for an outrageous penalty being awarded we would have done so. Also while we are on the subject how funny it was when Youssouf Mulumbu threw his toys out of his pram, and decided to boot the ball at Gary O’Neil (who had played a blinder in his slightly deeper role).

 

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As we were having a few pre match pints, in a very cold and slightly snowy beer garden in east London, we began as usual, to talk about the pros and cons of players that had been selected for the days match. I put in my usual moan about Ricardo Viz Te and then we got on to the subject of a certain Gary O’Neil.

Now for once, in fact probably for the first time ever we all agreed on something, Gary O’Neil is an absolute grafter but I think it is fair to say that when you hear that name it doesn’t excite you. In fact the first thing I ask myself is who else can play in his position?

When Gaz first signed for us I was really impressed with his displays. Although they might have been slightly over shone by Scott Parker, I thought that we had signed ourselves a player who is grafting for the team, and genuinely wants to play for us, which is a lot more than can be said for a lot of the others at the club that season.

Typically as soon as he started to catch a few eyes and turn a few heads he got injured. Of course it wasn’t just a little knock, it was an injury that would not just rule him out for the season but possibly end his career. Thankfully for West Ham United and of course for Gary O’Neil himself, He regained full fitness and got back into the side after around a year. After a long layoff it can be very hard to get back to your old self, especially when are the type of player he is. He seems to of done just that though and I really don’t believe he gets the credit he deserves.

When Gaz first put pen to paper for West Ham, I was also unaware that he had been capped at every level for England from Under 16s up to Under 21s. England have had an extremely strong midfield over the past 10 years so maybe you can forgive him for not breaking into the first team but to be capped at the levels has done is still an achievement.

 

On Saturday Andy Carroll stole the headlines with two fantastic goals but what about the finish from the man that doesn’t excite us? I didn’t see many unexcited faces when he opened up his body and steered a delightfully placed shot into the top corner. You could even argue that, that goal won us the game. As I watched the replay of what was a truly sublime finish, I heard a lot people asking the question “Where did that come from?” But this isn’t the first time he has attempted that type of shot. I’ve seen him try that a few times this season and although they haven’t ended up in the back of the net he has came really close.

Lets not forgot that he also whipped in a delightful corner for Andy Carroll to power home, and if man of the match was given out at half time it would have had his name written all over it. He carried on with his energetic display right up till the last kick of the game and was an absolute pest in the middle of the field. He carried on running and working hard, much to frustration of the West Bromwich Albion players, none more so than Youssouf Mulumbu.

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After Gaz had cancelled him out of the game all afternoon, Mulumbu decided enough was enough. He picked the ball up and drop kicked it right at him. Much to amusement of the West Ham faithful, Mulumbu was sent off. As we sang a chorus of cheerio to Mr Tantrum, Gary O’Neil must have had a smile on his face.

His all round energetic display had not only helped West Ham towards Premier League safety but answered any of his critics that he may have. With Mark Noble out for the rest of the season I think we have a very able replacement in Gary O’Neil and after Saturdays display I think unsung hero could be an understatement come the end of the season.

By Adam Cooper

@adamcooperwhu

 

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5 comments

  • The Cat says:

    Well said….. Gary take a bow!
    It’s players like him that go unnoticed and deserve credit for their tireless grafting for the cause. I’ve also noticed that the opposition players don’t like him. If the opposition players don’t like him, it’s because he is doing his job and harassing them.

    Keep up the good work Gary as it’s players like you every team needs and to come back from a career threatening injury like you have done to EVERYONE’S surprise tells you all you need to know about the nature of the man!

  • Bruce says:

    Well said cooper, great read. COYI!!!

  • Dave salad says:

    Dont watch west ham enough to know much about the man in question but still an enjoyable read nonetheless.

  • Rory Manning says:

    Very good read yet again mate, when I first see Gary O’Neil I thought do me a favour but you do put your point across very well, still undecided about him tho. Can’t knock his work rate and willing but for me his still lacking in ability. But least you know he will always do a job tracking back and breaking up the play. COYI

  • Spence55 says:

    A decent, honest, if unspectacular player who will always put a shift in and I for one was delighted to see his brilliant goal on Saturday as he deserved it. A squad type player who we will need in the Prem. Definitely worth a new year long contract in my book.

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