I’ve seen many people since towards the end of last season suggest that Momo Diame is only a big game player, and only performs against the top teams. Some have suggested that he is only interested in the big games and some have suggested that he is trying to impress the opposition managers into signing him.
His performances against Chelsea, Man United and Arsenal at Upton Park would certainly be the main reasons for some people thinking that it is more than coincidental.
I decided that there was a way to perhaps put this “myth” to bed. I went onto football statistics website WhoScored.com and selected Momo. I then took his match ratings versus what I considered to be the “big” games (Arsenal, Chelsea, Spurs, Man City, Man United, Liverpool). I then did the same with the rest of the teams.
This then generated two averages. Diame’s average against the top teams was 6.451, whereas against the remaining teams his average was 7.022. Quite a considerably different rating, which suggests that he has had great performances against the top teams (vs. Chelsea) but on average the stats don’t suggest that he is restricted to the big games.
I would suggest that he thrives under a feisty atmosphere at Upton Park and against the top teams the atmosphere is certainly just that and this has led to him having his best performances in a West Ham shirt to date.
Not such a big difference but interesting all the same. I’d be keen to see difference in home and away matches too. I haven’t seen too many away games but can’t think of any that he played really well in.
He’s taken the game by the scruff of the neck for periods but never a whole game and nowhere near enough.
I’ve said before that I’m not sure our midfield setup suits him. He needs to have a free, more attacking role that allows him to break from deep on runs but not leave Noble exposed for counter.
He was awesome away to Newcastle. He completely bossed midfield.