A huge boost for West Ham

Sometimes, you just don’t realise how important someone is until there not there, and if ever a Hammers player fitted this criteria it is Winston Reid.

The New Zealand centre back suffered a severe ankle ligament injury at the very beginning of November 2013 and left a gaping hole in the Irons defence that quite simply couldn’t be filled.

Throw into the mix injuries, and a red card to fellow stalwarts James Tomkins and James Collins, and the hitherto tight defensive unit that boasted one of the best clean-sheet records in both the Premier League and in European football was blown apart, and started to leak like a cheap raincoat.

For 15 matches and counting, full backs and midfielders were used in cobbled together, makeshift back lines and the impressive record built up over three months began to crumble as goals by the lorry load hit the West Ham net.

Defensive mistakes, almost Laurel & Hardy-esque in their execution littered already lacklustre and uninspiring performances, and an unwanted mix of no worthwhile attacking force, and appalling schoolboy-like defending has resulted in the current plight from which we seek to recover.

After an unspectacular start to life at West Ham, Reid began to flourish and inspire those around him. The lad grew from an unsure presence to a solid, sharp and powerful defender whose tactical prowess has caught the eye of not only Hammers fans, but well seasoned Premiership observers, with, prior to his injury, links being made with Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester United.

At 6’3”, Reid has a strong aerial presence and attacks the ball well. He shows good pace across the turf, and is strong in the tackle. His early failing of going to ground too early appears to have been overcome, and his good decision making and ice cool temperament make him the ideal man for the role at the heart of the Hammers defence. Coupled with the more physical Collins or Tomkins, the pairings for the early part of the season proved hard to breach, and 6 clean sheets in 10 Premier League games bore testimony to this fact.

Post the Reid injury however, the team have maintained a mere three clean sheets in 12 games and conceded an alarming 27 Premier League goals. These are statistics that tell their own story, though the overall malaise that seemed to blight the team, manifested by a lack of fight, football intelligence, commitment and heart was also a major factor in terms of the goals conceded.

In coaching circles, defence starts with the forwards, but given the lack of effort and interest shown by Kevin Nolan, Modibo Maiga, and, to a lesser extent, Carlton Cole, the overworked midfield was often overrun and steamrollered, leaving part time defenders like Alou Diarra, George McCartney and Guy Demel to try and halt the incoming Tsunami with half a dozen sand bags and a mop!

Just as one Andy Carroll has been sorely missed up front, Winston Reid’s lengthy absence has hit the team badly. Estimates suggest an imminent return to training, which suggests several weeks before first team duty is feasible. His return can’t come soon enough, that’s for sure, and with the new Italian signings on board, a hungry Carroll up front and a fit and reliable Reid back in place, we can only hope that a new look Hammers gets down to business and gives us something to smile about. We deserve that much!