For quite a long time, it’s been a bit of a gamble opting for a West Ham player or two in your fantasy team.
However, now it looks as if things are changing. After the Hammers’ excellent start to the season, individual efforts in the West Ham side have not gone unnoticed.
The official Sky Sports fantasy league produced a ‘team of the week’ graphic, which included West Ham midfielder Manuel Lanzini. The 22-year-old (yep, still that young) features alongside the likes of Ander Herrera, Raheem Sterling and Georginio Wijnaldum in midfield.
The Premier League fantasy league game rates Dimitri Payet as the best player in the league, amassing a total of 66 points, one more than Leicester City’s Jamie Vardy in second place. The 28-year-old has been in irresistible form since his move from Marseille and it looks as if the Frenchman is only going to get better the more he features in England’s top flight.
Elsewhere, there was no place for Payet or Lanzini in Garth Crooks’ team of the week. Instead, Carl Jenkinson was given the right-back spot due to his well-taken goal against Palace.
The defender has had a bit of a mixed start to his second loan spell at the club and this was summed up perfectly on Saturday when he conceded a penalty just moments after putting the Hammers ahead. Crooks highlighted Jenkinson’s form this season but was quick to praise him:
‘Carl Jenkinson appears to be having one hell of a rollercoaster ride in the claret and blue. During his short but eventful time with the Hammers he’s been sent off, left out, substituted and given away a penalty against Crystal Palace.
‘Nevertheless, this lad keeps bouncing back. His ability to shake off these occupational hazards and still try to get among the goals is quite astonishing. His finish at Sunderland last week might have been perceived as a fluke but his goal against Crystal Palace smacks of a full-back developing a taste for the art. A player with a terrific will to succeed’
All in all, the recognition of these players certainly shows us that the Hammers are heading in the right direction. Long may it continue!
