Italian international Antonio Nocerino signed for West Ham on loan in the January transfer window from AC Milan. How has he shaped up after during his start to life at West Ham?
Nocerino has made four substitute appearances since joining West Ham and the Hammers are unbeaten since (3W1D), coincidence? Yes. The Italian has played only 48 minutes in total during those four Premier League matches.
In videos such as the ‘tunnel-cam’, Antonio along with fellow Italian Marco Borriello, appear to have settled well within the squad and certainly haven’t had any negative effect on the cohesion of the squad.
In terms of statistics, of course there is a limit to what you can tell from 48 minutes of football. However, you can see that Antonio has done nothing wrong. Yes he picked up a yellow card against Norwich City, but breaking up the play is what he is all about, certainly in the latter stages of the match, which is when he is being introduced.
We’re yet to see enough of Nocerino to tell what he has in store. But he’s doing what is asked of him, and will be hoping for a bigger chance in the future, being that he joint West Ham to increase his chances of getting into Italy’s world cup squad.
Why you would join a team in a foreign country in a bid to be recognised by your nation is beyond me. Surely, rarely playing for Italian giants (albeit at a rare low in their history) is better for Italian recognition than rarely playing for a relatively little history club in England? Of course if things aren’t broken, don’t fix them, and West Ham are certainly in the best shape of their season so far. If a slump returns in the Hammers form, Nocerino may get his first start. He must take his opportunities to better his chance for the Italian World Cup squad, which should subsequently benefit West Ham.
Further chances will come for Antonio, but I’m sure all West Ham fans would love for the current first eleven to keep him out, with even more impressive results.
West Ham, you have regained your confidence & belief in yourselves. There aren’t many teams who can live with you on your day, but go easy, as it looks like we’ve got Mark Calamityburg as ref this Saturday. You have more to play for than Southampton, as I can’t see the saints breaking into the top 7 Europe qualifying spots, but for West Ham, Premier League survival is everything. Keep playing as though your lives depend on it. Keep the momentum going! There are 12 more games to play. & who knows? We may even break into a top 7 spot ourselves! Swansea are at Anfield on Sunday, need I say more? Really go for it as they are saying Mark is refereeing Southampton’s game? Oh so already the media psychology war is calling it Southampton’s game?? Beware of the wolf in lambs clothing MATCH FIXING ANYONE? COYI!
West Ham, you sit back on your Laurels too much. Now is not the time to be patting each other on the back. The end of the season is the time for that. The next game is all that matters not debating about someone who has only played 48 minutes of football so far. I can sense you’d like to relax already, just because you’ve won the last 3 games in a row. This next game is just as important as the last 3, if not more important. Why, well just look at the ladder. There are 9 teams, including us who, in a 4 points range from 18th up to 10th. If all of those teams win and we lose, we could once again be just 1 point off of the relegation zone with a trip to Goodison next. Do not step off of the gas. Now is the time to step on it even harder. Go off of your brains along with Kevin for this next win West Ham & do it for Andy’s sake, for the last of his 3 games ban. Do it for us West ham. Please. Show them all that we can be just as tough as any northeners. Up the Hammerssssssssssssssssssssssss
I say JB for the mangers job ? .
Wow thanks Geoff. It’s true though, half the battle is psychological & the lads just believing in themselves, not thinking about how many games they’ve just won, as just like as in tennis where it’s the next ball is all that matters. It’s the same with football, no matter how many games you’ve won in a row, and we are a long way of of what we achieved in the 85-86 season when we went on a run of 18 games undefeated! You’ve got to look up lads, as if we achieved that again now, or the next 12 games undefeated, then yes, a top 7 spot is possible, even Man City got done 2-0 at home last night, so yes, we’ve had a dreadfull start to the season, but instead of looking down the table all the time, lets start looking up the table, and just keep our foot on that gas, woooooooow COYI!