West Ham’s British core is working wonders

There is an old aged debate about the influx of foreign talent ruining the English game, but a quick glance at the Hammers starting line-up will tell you the East End club are doing there bit for British football.

Many will tell you that it is West Ham United’s English core that has seen an upturn in fortunes, our impressive midfield is made up of all British and English players and the passion and heart amongst the squad is back.

In fact three of ‘Adrian’s walls’ are from the British Isles with James Collins, James Tomkins and George McCartney all playing a key role in Adrian’s impressive record of four clean sheets on the bounce. It is something that West Ham United as a club prides itself on, producing and providing opportunities for players from this great island.

It is something that Sam Allardyce should be praised for; he has brought English players to the club with core values and understanding of what it is like to play for a club like West Ham. I have often said, to be a Hammer all you need to do is play with pride and passion, and under Avram Grant and his exotic signings that wasn’t evident.

The likes of Victor Obinna, Freddie Piquionne and Pablo Barrera may have all been talented, but they just lacked the desire and passion, of the likes of Matthew Taylor, James Collins and Mark Noble. Noble in particular has come on leaps and bounds this season, and is a runaway favourite for Hammer of the Year; his performances under Allardyce have been a revelation.

This club has become less about egos in recent times, and about pulling in one direction and that is thanks in large part to the sudden influx of British talent and heart into the starting eleven. A sprinkling of the right foreign talent and the squad has newfound belief and confidence. Four unbeaten and three wins on the bounce is testament to the way this core has performed in recent weeks.

The midfield duo of Noble and Taylor in particular have been herculean in their efforts to pull West Ham away from danger. Time after time they put their body on the line and throw themselves into tackles. That desire has rubbed off on players who were previously questioned earlier this season, Mohamed Diame and Kevin Nolan in particular.

Nolan in recent weeks has been a man on a mission and you can’t help but think that he has watched Noble’s performances whilst he sat out and realised that he had to step up and that he has. He has been magnificent in recent weeks.

There is then of course the two James’, Tomkins and Collins, who have kept out star defender Winston Reid out of the team thanks to their never say die attitude. I watched on as Aston Villa bombarded us at Villa Park, but I never felt any real worries as Collins and Tomkins headed, slid and kicked the back away from danger time after time.

I for one am loving this British passion and heart, and long may it continue.

Well someone has to do their bit for British football after all, and it is lovely to see it is West Ham United pioneering this shift towards picking more British talent.

Come on you Irons!

Tweet me @Bowdenwhu