West Ham midfielder Manuel Lanzini says he is finally hitting his stride after enduring a challenging first half to the season in a Hammers shirt.
The Argentinian missed the opening two games of the season with a knee injury, and although he did score three goals in the opening half of the season, he did not create a single goal despite playing in a central attacking midfield role.
Since the New Year however, playing in his favoured number 10 position, the 24 year old has scored four goals, and provided two assists. The midfielder told the club’s official website that he is relishing playing a key role in the West Ham side, and he is not feeling the pressure of being the team’s playmaker:
“I feel like I’m an important player here and that’s just what I needed in order to be able to show what I am capable of on the pitch. I’m not feeling the pressure. I’m very comfortable with how things are going at the moment and feel like a very important part of the team, which is just what I wanted.”
Most of the Hammers’ problems however have not been in front of goal this season. They have the fourth worst defence in the Premier League, and will need to shore up a backline that has not kept a clean sheet in eight league games, if they are to improve their form.
