West Ham United have started the season well. After a good pre-season, the Hammers have performed solidly in the first two matches against Cardiff City and Newcastle United. But which player is Sam Allardyce going to rely on the most as the season unfolds?
All the talk this summer has been around the lack of striking options we have to choose from. This means that a lot of supporters believe that club record signing, Andy Carroll is vital to our season. However, after a comfortable victory over Cardiff City in the opening game, where our two goals from midfield, suggests other areas are going to weigh in with goals at crucial times. For a club like West Ham to progress, the likes of Joe Cole, Matt Jarvis, Kevin Nolan and Stewart Downing will need to contribute goals, and I think they will.
A lot of supporters will see Mohamed Diame as another vital cog in the West Ham machine. Allardyce scored a winner when he snapped up the Senegalese international on a free transfer from Wigan Athletic last summer. There is no doubt that when Diame plays well, West Ham seem to play well. He is also capable of getting himself a few goals, and is partial to scoring against the big boys (he scored against Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester United last season). But with the emergence of Ravel Morrison, and the return of Alou Diarra, I don’t see Diame as irreplaceable this season.
For me, the basis of West Hams good performance last season, and will remain this season, is the solid defence that is based around West Hams Player of the Year, Winston Reid. When Reid first joined the club, and made a shocking debut at Aston Villa in the days of Avram Grant, we all thought that it was another donkey signed by the club, and would never make the grade. But under Sam Allardyce, Reid has not only been our most improved player over the last two seasons, he’s probably been our best and most consistent performer in the past two seasons.
Two clean sheets in our first two games is a credit to not just Reid, but the whole of the back four and Jussi Jaaskelainen. But for me, it’s Reid who keeps things organised, who is always willing to take a whack on the head for the team, and is probably the first name on Sam Allardyces team sheet. A future West Ham captain? You bet he is.
COME ON YOU IRONS!!
By Chelmo Hammer
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@ChelmoHammer
Couldn’t agree more, he’s a topp class defender, would get in any team in the prem, Ravel now showing why ferguson thought so much of him, lets hope he kicks on and get more playing time in the first team
I agree with the comments above. Our success this season must be based on the goals being spread around more. We can’t afford to rely on AC & Nolan, others must chip in as well. In tight games we need to convert losses into draws & draws into wins. Ravel may just be little bit of magic that Joe was in his early years.
Lets hope SA can find a striker who can support AC or do a job when he’s not available. COYI