Despite the wind and the rain, smashing into our homes, the date on my calendar suggests spring will soon be upon us and we will be entering the culmination of the 2013/14 season. Whilst, the most important thing is remaining a Premier League side, it’s also the time to start thinking about who will get your vote for this year’s Hammer Of The Year.
A few months ago we would have found this list a lot more difficult, possibly having just one candidate to choose, and that being down to the best of a slightly bad bunch. Now however, it’s a decision for the fans, which though not easy, is at least a more enjoyable task to undertake, but who will be the chosen one for 2014.
First choice HAS to be Adrian. Our huge Spanish goalkeeper has cemented himself as a big fan favourite. A commanding presence between the posts, and organising his back four in front of him, Adrian was used as an alternative to Jussi Jaaskelainen, a goalkeeper who was still performing consistently for us. After the debacles against Nottingham Forest and Manchester City, where media and pundits alike were hyper critical, he showed good mental toughness to bounce back and his performances in recent weeks haven’t let Sam down or the fans down.
James Collins comes next. A glut of recent hardman and non-surrendering performances from the Ginger Pele, have pushed him to the forefront of the survival campaign. Whilst his early season was unspectacular at best (an easy opportunity against Southampton missed plus a dreadful performance v Norwich City) his recent performances since returning have been strong and battling, seemingly giving 100% in every game. Thrown in an important goal against Norwich into the mix and Ginge has been an important cog in the West Ham machine.
Stewart Downing is my third choice. One of the few bright lights in a dark first few months of the season, Downing has worked consistently and tirelessly in every game for West Ham since signing in the summer. A joke player for many print journalists, the lung-busting runs and 100% efforts haven’t gone unnoticed by many of the faithful, and Downing has been our most consistent performer throughout the season.
Finally, I have to go for Carlton Cole. Carlton came back when we were in desperate need for a striker, despite being called surplus for requirements at the end of the prior season. Cole has come in and performed where Modibo Maiga and Mladen Petric couldn’t, given it his all and despite having the grace of a drunk Bambi on ice juggling chainsaws, scores goals and wears the shirt with pride. He has come back, when he didn’t have to, and tried his heart out. Something not to be ignored, and that is definitely appreciated by us the fans.
So there are the options, in my mind, for Hammer Of The Year. A few months back we’d have been clamouring for Ravel Morrison to get the award, yet in recent months he hasn’t proved himself to be living up to his early season promise.
Adrian gets my vote, but who gets yours?
Seriously? Adrian has only played a few months! If he continues his form rest of the year then yes. I can’t believe how you have overlooked Mark Noble! He is without the shadow of a doubt hammer of the year. He’s been immense
Do you watch any games?! First choice HAS to be Mark Noble! He has been excellent all season and never seems to give the ball away, the heartbeat of the whole team.
Hilarious. The fact the words ‘Mark’ and ‘Noble’ don’t appear once in this has shown you up pretty badly sunshine.
Adrian has played about 10 games. Have a word with yourself.
Your article simply isn’t credible given Mark Nobles joke omission. Its basically who is going to some second after Noble. Start watching some games !!!
It has to be Mark Noble. He has been the heart and soul of the team this year.
I freely admit that Noble should have been included. That was an oversight that I put down to us being spoilt by his consistency throughout not just this season, but throughout the last three seasons in particular. The four choices I went for were based on four players who may have been overlooked, I should have made that point in the article. Peter’s comment labelling him as the heart and soul is a valid point and though he doesn’t get the headlines, he is a strong asset to the club.
Apologies
Anyone that votes for anyone other than Mark Noble clearly has not been anywhere near Upton Park all season.
Agree
What a post! The most consistent performer has to be Downing , Adrian has shown ability but too soon to judge.
Noble is always in the mix , but Carlton Cole what a joke he can’t head a ball he has no control he can’t run yes he has scored but my granny would have scored more. Please name any premiership team that would swap their striker for Cole…..
I agree on Noble. How about Matt Taylor in the mix though assuming he carries on as is for the rest of the season?
absolutely outrageous that noble doesn’t top the list. where have you been all season? thought tomkins was worth a mention too.him and the ginger pele really stepped up when reid got injured
I have been to all the home games and some away the rest I have seen live on tv and how can you possibly think that? Adrian has became a great asset but noble has been our best player by far, all the people I speak to before and during the game all say noble has been our best player and when winston return will be pushed by him but not anough games for winston to overtake mr claret and blue Mark noble as player of the season. Hve you been to any games this season!!!
Mark Noble!!!
Collins 2nd
Adrian 3rd
Yes, Yes, Yes, Adrian has been the ‘find’ of the year and has truely contributed to our recent performances …… and yes Collins, Tomkins and Reid have also been solid and played for the badge. Not so sure about Downing …. he is probably one of the more talented players in our squad and shown flashes of brilliance, but all to often he has also gone AWOL, as have Diame, Taylor, OBrian, McCartney, J Cole etc etc, Carlton may well have tried his heart out, often exposed and all alone, but he just isnt good enough.
As a long term supporter, and a season ticket holder for over 20 years there really has been one consistantly hard working, hard trying, and always given 100% this season, player this term and that has been …. MARK NOBLE !!!
We really arnt the same side without him. (just my view).
I find this amusing because I just finished ordering my NOBLE alternate jersey!
Mark Noble, Mark Noble, mark Noble. His best full season by a mile. He has learned consistency and his passing has improved hugely.
Adrian certainly seems a fantastic signing but you can’t give him poy based on half a dozen performances…..next season maybe.
Yes I’d say Adrian, Noble or Taylor, but IT IS ABSOLUTELY CRITICAL THAT WEST HAM WIN THIS SATURDAY’S HOME GAME AGAINST SOUTHAMPTON, BECAUSE IF HULL CITY WINS THEIR FA CUP REPLAY ON MONDAY, THEN WEST HAM’S GAME AT HOME TO HULL ON 8TH MARCH WILL BE POSTPONED DUE TO HULL BEING BOOKED TO PLAY SUNDERLAND IN THEIR FA CUP QTR FINAL MATCH. WE PLAY EVERTON AWAY AFTER THIS NEXT HOME GAME AND HAVE TO TREAT THIS GAME THIS SATURDAY AS MORE WINNABLE THAN OUR TRIP TO GOODISON ON 1ST MARCH. WE MAY NOT HAVE ANOTHER CHANCE TO GET 3 POINTS UNTIL 15TH MARCH! & THAT IS AWAY AT STOKE WHICH WON’T BE EASY EITHER. THIS SATURDAY MAY BE OUR LAST CHANCE TO GET 3 POINTS IN FRONT OF OUR OWN FANS UNTIL WE PLAY MAN UTD ON 22ND MARCH. NEED I SAY MORE? WE HAVE TO GET OUR POINTS WHILE WE CAN. WE CANNOT AFFORD TO LOSE OUR MOMENTUM OR FOOTING IN THE LEAGUE LADDER OR LET OTHER TEAMS MAKE GROUND ON OUR LEAGUE POSITION, PLUS THIS IS THE LAST OF ANDY’S 3 GAMES BAN, SO THIS WIN WILL BE FOR ANDY OK. I SAID WE’LL GET 3 WINS FOR ANDY, & 3 WINS FOR ANDY WE WILL GET! JUST THINK OF ANDY, HAVING TO STILL SIT IT OUT IN THE STANDS DUE TO FA INJUSTICE SINCE 1ST FEB & STICK AS MANY IN THE NET FOR HIS SAKE. COYI!
My vote is going to MR mark noble what a term player he is.
mark noble, full stop
Mark Noble all the way. He has matured into a fine team player and has made some gutsy performances this season and dies for the team The real Captain of the side. Bobby Moore would gave been proud to play alongside him. One last comment – have you been to UP this (or any) season and witnessed how totally inept Carlton Cole is??
Adrian??
Great find but no HOTY
Mark Noble, closely followed by James Collins
Honourable mention for JOB
HOw on earth does anyone pick a Young HOTY, BFS never plays any of the kids….