West Ham United have struggled to find the back of the net on a regular basis all season long and, although the east end club are starting to rectify that issue, just how much have they missed their Wembley hero Ricardo Vaz Te?
The forward has bagged four goals in nine games for the Hammers this season but has struggled with injuries since then, and hasn’t played since he collided with a post at Swansea City this season.
The Irons would love to be able to have someone like Vaz Te to bring off the bench in games that are locked at 0-0 as he has that flair and pace that can unlock tiring defences. Many fans have placed him in place of Matthew Jarvis in their clubs best possible starting XI (if everyone is fit).
Jarvis, who just last week was voted in Sky Sports flop XI, will know that he has had better seasons in his career, but for me he has started to turn it around and he is starting to find his form again. He will know with Ricardo edging closer to match fitness that it will be his place that is up for grabs.
What the former Wolverhampton Wanderers man does hold over Vaz Te is his defensive work; Ricardo tends to be lazy and leaves Guy Demel or Joey O’Brien high and dry when the opposition are in possession. This is part of the game Ricardo must work on, he must learn to track back and perform his defensive duties.
Having said that, you can’t help but think what the score would’ve been at Villa Park had those first half chances fell to Vaz Te and not Jarvis, there is no questioning who is the better finisher out of Ricardo and Matthew, Ricardo wins that little head to head by a street.
Back to question in hand, do the Hammers miss the Portuguese man?
Now I am a massive fan of Ricardo, not just for that magical Wembley moment, but for his flair and passion, but for me I just think Jarvis is ahead of him in the pecking order in Sam Allardyce’s mind. Don’t forget that Vaz Te was nearly off in the summer, and although since he handed in a transfer request he has come back and scored some vital goals for us, he may well just be seen as an option off the bench.
Mind you, that option could be crucial in the run in, him linking up with Carroll’s knock-ons could be key to West Ham finding the onion bag more often between now and May, so in that respect his return will be more than welcome. As when you watch before the game, it is easy to see that Ricardo is one of the best if not the best finisher of a football we have at the club.
What are your views; do we miss our Wembley hero?
Comment below or Tweet me @Bowdenwhu.
Come on you Irons!
Definitely! Why on earth does Big Sam play him on the wing! He’s a striker! Does he not know he scored 22 goals as a striker!
Vaz Te is currently out with a hamstring injury. No conspiracy. Nothing to see here. Move along
Im getting fed up of people claiming Vaz Te’s lazy and doesnt track back. I see him do more defensive work then jarvis! He always covered demel.
Agree with Dan. The “lazy” tag is unfair, ive seen Vaz willing to do the donkey work. .. I’d have Vaz over Jarvis any day. He makes it happen where it counts most. … Jarvis has had a season and a half to do something. But all he’s proved is that he’s lacking in technique and quality. The odd goal or assist wont change my mind.
Hopefully Vaz Te will be shifted out as soon as possible. Out of his depth by a mile and anyone who says he doesn’t put a shift in cant have been watching the same player I have. Permanently disappointing.
It’s shame we didn’t succeed in signing Wilfried Bony, &/or Remy. They’ve both really impressed me with the goals they’ve scored, & with the Swans now out of Europe, worth another try Sam? & yes, I agree with you Spence, Vaz hasn’t been missed at all, & I am sick of continually having to wait & see if AC can stay injury free? & can he hit form? does he need this? Does he need that. Keep looking Sam!
I reckon we have to start Winston Reid. Winston is the 1 link we have to put in for the full 90 minutes who can really strengthen the team, so the 1 to be sacrificed from our team of;
Adrián, Demel, McCartney, Taylor, Collins, Tomkins, Jarvis, Noble, Cole, Nolan, Downing
who won 4 straight wins, I think should be Jarvis.
(Carroll)
Downing, (Taylor), Noble, Nolan,
McCartney, Reid, Collins, Tomkins, Demel
Adrian
5-4-1
Just 2 preferred Substitutions in brackets are enough with; (C. Cole) (Diame)
And yes, Diame is real class. We just have to learn how to get the best out of him.
JB…Agreed…Remy and Bony are top finishers, and for West Ham to have tracked both for so long and end up with neither was a real kick in the teeth.