The end to our left back problem?

I know it’s very early days, but I’ve liked what I’ve seen so far from summer signing Razvan ‘Roland’ Rat. I think it’s fair to say we haven’t had a consistently quality left back at the club for a number of years and hopefully Roland (as he is affectionately nicknamed) can fill that void for a number of years.

Since the departure of the iconic former club captain Julian Dicks, we have had many left backs, usually occupying the position for just a year or two, and often towards the end of their careers. Stuart Pearce, Nigel Winterburn, Rufus Brevett and Chris Powell all did a good job in their time at the Hammers, but were never a long term solution for that space in the side. Then came Paul Konchesky who looked good for a year, but then fell out with manager Alan Curbishley and departed the next summer. George McCartney has done a decent job for the side in his two spells at the club, but again only really for a year at a time before transfer and chronic injury problems forced him out of the team. Herita Ilunga flattered to deceive for a season before injury and then a disastrous return at the start of the 11/12 campaign in which he seemed to single handedly cost us games with his mistakes. As for last season, we pretty much did without a proper left back in the absence of McCartney, with right back Joey O’Brien occupying the role in his stead.

So in Rat have we found that quality left back that can become a staple of the team for years to come? He certainly has a good pedigree, and much experience playing against top players having won many domestic trophies with Shakhtar Donetsk, as well as the UEFA Cup in 2009. He is also a seasoned international player, and indeed captain of his native Romania, where he has competed in the European Championships and World Cup.

So how has done so far? Having remained on the bench for the opening couple of fixtures, Rat has started the last 3 Premier league games against Everton, Hull City and Tottenham Hotspur. He has looked solid and functional defensively in these matches, and I can’t really remember him making any mistakes. This is quite impressive considering this is his first taste of the fast paced Premier League. Certainly out of the 4 goals we have conceded in those matches (3 of them set-pieces), he cannot be blamed for any of them. He also looks to be quite an attacking full back with lots of energy going forward, but at the same time not getting caught out of position when the opposition counter, which most definitely happens to many top attacking full-backs such as Glen Johnson. I’ve been particularly impressed with his speed, which will be especially useful against pacey wingers. For example I thought he coped well against the inform Andros Townsend against Spurs last week, and Townsend only got in behind of Rat a couple of occasions after West Ham team-mates had given the ball away in silly positions.

Off the pitch, his attitude looks good to me. He speaks good English and is a regular interviewee for the clubs official website, where he always talks in very positive terms about West Ham. Rat also seems like someone who is good for morale in the dressing room, always smiling in his interviews and enjoying jokes over his new nickname Roland. I even saw him in one of the West Ham TV videos volunteering to deal with season ticket requests over the phone during the summer! At the end of the Spurs game the other week I was delighted to see him raise the Hammers sign with his arms to the crowd. He really seems genuinely happy to be here and committed to the cause which should endear him to supporters.

Overall the signs are positive so far that he could be our regular left back for the foreseeable future. The only problem I currently see for the longer term is the fact he is 32 years old. But assuming he can stay fit, I’m hoping he can play at the top level for a number of years. So what do you all think about Rats start to life at West Ham? and if he’s the answer to our left back problem?