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West Ham ace set to return for Chelsea clash?

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Nicky Maynard, Alou DiarraThe news is starting to circulate that French midfielder Alou Diarra, who was initially ruled out for the entire season, is close to making a first team comeback. This is surprising news – especially given that we’ve gotten so used to players adding on extra time to their recovery, rather than coming back sooner – but is his recovery good news for the Hammers, and does he still have a part to play for West Ham?

Truth is, I liked the look of him during pre-season, but felt a bit let down by his previous negative comments, and I hadn’t had much of an opportunity to see him on the pitch during the league—so I wasn’t all that devastated when he got injured against Cheltenham Town. I felt sorry for the guy, but I didn’t feel sorry for West Ham. I didn’t think we’d miss him.

What I didn’t know at the time was just how many other injuries we were going to have. Since Diarra left us on his stretcher of doom, we’ve suffered injuries to, and are still missing, Ricardo Vaz Te, Mladen Petric, Matthew Taylor, and Winston Reid, with Joey O’Brien and James Collins the latest names reportedly added to the list.

Defender George McCartney (who has been suffering from a long-term injury) is starting to recover and played in the Luton Town game, but a return to the first team has yet to be announced. Defenders O’Brien, Collins and Reid are set to miss the Chelsea game, and possibly more—although it is difficult to ascertain when Collins and O’Brien will be back and the extent of their injuries.

According to the Daily Mail, Diarra might be back on the pitch as soon as the Chelsea game. Given the vast amount of defensive players injured, a defensive midfielder such as Diarra would be a useful player to have available for that game. According to his page on Wikipedia (so this may or may not be true) Diarra can also play as a centre-back, which might actually come in handy given that the only boot Winston Reid’s going to be wearing this year is a surgical boot.

We all know he did a bit of moaning about Upton Park (okay, a lot of moaning) but he then “vowed to fight for the Hammers” and was just getting around to proving himself when he got injured (whufc.com.) Since his recovery, he’s featured in a reserve game at Luton Town (in which we lost 2-1) and I’d like to give him another chance in the first team. Partially because I think he might have something to contribute, but mainly because, well, we need all the bodies we can get right now.

At this point, having available players can only be a good thing, irrespective of who they are—but I think with something to prove, and a miraculous recovery under his belt, Diarra can only be a positive addition to the team.

What do you think? Will Diarra help save the day, or is he now surplus to requirements given our extensive collection of midfielders? Would you put him out in midfield, or could he assist in the CB position? Let me know below.

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4 comments

  • Tony Hammer says:

    Diarra is a class act. He played every game for France at WC10. I fail to see why Allardyce signed him only to put players like O’Neil & Taylor ahead of him; both of whom are Championship standard. He is a true holding midfield player. Collison played there against Villa but is far too lightweight to play that role. Having Diarra and Noble in front of the back four will give licence for the likes of Morrison, Joe Cole, Nolan + 1 to play further forward. Given that he can also play at centre back – and did so at times in the League Cup last season, aligned with our growing injury list I am glad he is back

    • Phil the iron says:

      Well said tony! You are spot on with every point you have made! Diarra is class and not only shields the back four but can pass the ball out from from the back!(ginge please take note!). Noble is a great player for us but we are asking him to do too much! Having diarra beside him will allow noble to get forward more and give that vital spark to our attacking play without the worry of been caught upfield when play breaks down and exposing the back four by being out of position. Finally, what are the thoughts about bringing in Dempsey and Defoe in on loan to solve our striking problems? Both can score goals, both can play in our false no9 line up and both would be able to play with Andy when he returns! And both are best suited to a second striker role feeding off of a centre forward. If all goes well defoe’s loan could be made permanent at the end of the season, a bit like the Carroll deal. I know he is not everybody’s cup of tea at the Boleyn but if he scores the goals that keep us top ten then who really cares? We could always sell him on if thing don’t go ok!

  • Chris says:

    Never shown anything in a west ham shirt and slagged off the club

    Fuck him

  • stevet says:

    the above comments prove you have not seen him play,he is utter crap and he offered nothing to the team in fact was a liability.

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