Passion in many ways defines a player.
Alongside ability, it’s one thing that marks them and shapes their perception amongst fans.
In this day-and-age with players’ salaries at the top level, effort on the field is considered a bare minimum.
A less skilful player who plays for the shirt will endear themselves to the masses more so than the most elegant player who performs with no heart.
It’s with these points in mind that it is little wonder Modibo Maiga has failed to win over the vast majority of West Ham supporters who have seen him on the field.
Our well-documented striker shortage has meant the 26-year-old Malian has been asked to lead the line since the start of the season.
The prospect of him being the source of our scoring was bettered by a strong pre-season, during which he scored a few and chalked up some assists.
But when it has come to the crunch, the lethargic number 11 has failed to convert the opportunity, despite plenty of playing time and the initial backing of the coaching staff.
His goal against Southampton last season gave fans a taste of his what he could achieve, but sadly 12 months on, those sorts of highlights have been few and far between.
From then on, it has been clear he is more of a winger than an out and out centre forward, better attuned to cutting in from the flanks and running forward than holding the ball up with a defender on his back.
So his position in the current system evidently does not suit him, but that is no excuse not to perform. Ask any fan to play in any position, and they would run their guts out for the cause. The disinterested, lumbering displays from Maiga are evidence of a man who knows he was originally second choice, and in a kind of perverse protest, refuses to step up to the plate.
It is disappointing the likes of Ricardo Vaz Te or even Elliott Lee are not hammering the door down to get into the team, and giving Sam Allardyce no excuse to over-look them.
But the fact Sam Allardyce was prepared to buy the player for almost £5million suggests Maiga was considered a quality player. The truth is, he has done little to justify that price tag. However, a bit of application and passion on the pitch would go a long way.
Lazy lazy lazy, no apetite, another west ham dud waste of money. Soooo disappointed with maiga. Give vaz te a chance at least he shows some heart.
COYI.
Totally agree, even in the warm up, before the game, he ambles about, not really showing much interest, never really see him practice shooting, unlike Vaz Te, who practices free-kicks, dribbling and shooting before the game. Maybe he thinks, it’s a God given right that he’ll get picked.
Vaz Te has now proved he can score again, give him a chance
He got paid £4.16 MILLION last year. Originally I thought it said just £4.16 which I suppose would be a fair return but over £4 Million for this loser is astonishing. No wonder we have trouble with salary caps and financial fair play. Who signed him for 4 years at this amount?
https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=modiba+maiga&rlz=1C1CHFX_en-GBGB544GB544&oq=modib&aqs=chrome.1.69i57j69i59.4059j0&sourceid=chrome&espvd=210&es_sm=93&ie=UTF-8#es_sm=93&q=modibo+maiga+salary
Unfortunately couldn’t agree with you more! After a good pre season I was going to give him the benefit of the doubt but after watching his “performance” against Cardiff all I wanted to do was shoot the useless bas$<%}|d! And nothing since has convinced me that I would be wasting a round if I did! He must be bad if everyone is clamouring for Vaz te to take his place! As it was not long ago he was being waved on his way for not being up to prem standard!
To be fair to lad he played decent against Cardiff tuesday night. Dont get me wrong im a ST holder in bobby lower and i agree he doesnt give one in league games and im excited about Petric but he showed a small glimpse of what we paid 5 million for on Tueday night, i think hes on hisblast legs though. Sam is easing Petric in
It’s too easy for fans to scapegoat a player. Maiga got an assist against Cardiff, hassled well from the front and made some good defensive clearances. Lets see if he ups his game against Hull. I do think that one goal would help his confidence and lead to more perhaps.
And for thpse calling for Vaz Te – he is the epitome of laziness and poor technical ability evident that he really does have difficulty dribbling sometimes. Petric was woeful against Cardiff and convulsed in the final 3rd a number of times.
Sometimes the grass isn’t always greener…
Sometimes
Maiga is a total joke and an expensive one,lazy,useless,who scouted him out?!!!
Maiga just not up to it. Too late now to suggest Defoe or Bent, we just have to get on with it. Cole may well do us a turn for the short term, but the more I hear about Carroll and his injury, the more I see a big
Waste of the millions his transfer cost and also the huge wages he is on. What a gamble. No result this weekend and I think the rot will set in, so early to say it, but its a genuine worry.