It’s been a heck of a week for West Ham. Still riding high after a high-octane weekend win, new images of the Olympic Stadium have been released—and while I never normally find stadia sexy, this ground is sexy. It should be a happy week, but because fortune really, truly, is always hiding – we’re now without star signing Cheikhou Kouyate for the next six weeks.
Kouyate suffered a groin injury towards the end of our 3-1 home victory over almost-league-Champions Liverpool. As West Ham had already made three substitutions, Kouyate played on until the end of the game – which is impressive given that we now know how serious the injury was.
It’s a major blow for West Ham, especially as it has come right on the heels of our incredible team performances against Liverpool and Hull City. Our players seem as if they have really come into their stride and for once I found myself incredibly optimistic about playing United at the weekend.
However, with the news of Kouyate’s injury, I’m scared that I can’t live; if living is without Kou.
I’m so disappointed – both for the player and for the club – that we will be without the Senegal midfielder until early November. Kouyate has done an outstanding job of not just slotting into the Hammers team, but in redefining said team from the centre out. He’s brought in a much-needed spark, talent and a casual determination whether defending or moving forward. He’s clever; he passes well, and he and Noble seem to work together well to keep a stronghold on the midfield.
All of which begs the question – how will West Ham cope without him for six weeks?
In that time frame we play Manchester United, QPR, Burnley, Manchester City, and Stoke City. We should put on a good show against QPR, Burnley and Stoke – I still get PTSD about thinking about playing City, so I’ll leave that one – but it’s against Man United I’m most disappointed about. United don’t offer a lot in the way of defenders, but they are a semi-threat going forward and Kouyate would have been extremely useful in locking down some of the inevitable midfield battles.
Having said that, with every Cheik-cloud, there is always a silver lining – in this case, ours is that we have perhaps the greatest depth in squad in my living memory. Alex Song looked fantastic and also at ease in midfield against Liverpool, and we’ve also got Morgan Amalfitano (who scored against Liverpool), Diego Poyet and our old pal Kevin Nolan as options. Frustratingly, we are still sending Ra’vel Morrison on loan to Cardiff City, even whilst we are a midfielder down, but we have options. It’s a strange feeling.
I’m sure that I echo every West Ham fan when I say how heartily I wish Kouyate a speedy recovery, but whilst he’s out, I think our other options might keep the team in good shape until he returns. After all, we didn’t just sign one good player this summer; we signed several – and now is a chance for all of them to shine as bright as Kouyate.
How do you think we’ll do without Kouyate? Will our depth in squad provide adequate cover? Do let us know below.
