Class Report: Story of West Ham United’s Season So Far
Somehow West Ham will spend Christmas Day above the defending champions for the second season in the row. Still, we could go into 2017, a respectable 10th in the table. But this season hasn’t exactly been plain sailing. We evaluate the performances of all our squad members, below.
GK- Darren Randolph
The Ireland ‘keeper has established himself as first choice. Despite conceding seven goals in his first four league games, he now has two clean sheets. He was to blame for Divock Origi’s equaliser at Anfield, but has made several top class saves and has taken his chance with both hands. His distribution is notably better than Adrian’s too.
CB- Winston Reid
The New Zealand skipper looked incredibly shaky early in the season, particularly during the spell in which the side conceded 11 goals in three games. But since he has begun to hit the form that won him Hammer Of The Year in 2012–13. Was the best player on the pitch in the 3–2 defeat at Tottenham, as well as the best West Ham player in the 5–1 defeat to Arsenal. It is a real disappointment that he played so well in both games and got no points for his efforts.
LB- Aaron Cresswell
The Liverpudlian finally earned his England debut this season against Spain. His return from injury showed us what we’ve been missing as he providing the cross for the winner at Crystal Palace, but since he hasn’t quite hit the standards we are accustomed too. He seems too reluctant to get forward and whip in crosses.
DM- Havard Nordtveit
The Norwegian was our best player in our brief European adventure, possessing a wide range of passing and doing his duties effectively. However this hasn’t continued in the league, with Nordtveit looking below the required standard to play at this level. Still being booed by his fans is scummy and shouldn’t happen.
RB- Alvaro Arbeloa
It has been 10 years since we last paid money for an out and out right back. At 33, Arbeloa has shown in his brief appearances that he knows what he’s doing. You can tell he’s won everything with Real Madrid and Spain but he just doesn’t have the legs anymore. He couldn’t live with Oxlade-Chamberlain. We should’ve signed him 10 years earlier.
RM- Sofiane Feghouli
Looked great in pre-season and Europe but has struggled for fitness and minutes in the league. Took a while to get going at Old Trafford in the League Cup but then looked impressive. However not as good as Antonio or Payet, so without European football, it’s hard to see when he’ll get minutes.
CM- Cheikou Kouyate
Scored twice in the first ever game at the Olympic Stadium and proceeded to not turn up again until a move into central defence, where has looked solid, but still suffers from poor positioning due to ill discipline on occasions, we do seem to be missing his athleticism in central midfield, however.
CF- Andy Carroll
It’s hard not to feel sorry for the big Geordie. He doesn’t get injured on purpose, but he’s back and scored a goal on his return. The team haven’t played to his strengths in the game he’s started but you can still see he scares defenders. An old fashioned English battering ram of a centre forward.
CAM- Manuel Lanzini
The man they nickname “La Joya”. The jewel. Lanzini hasn’t hit the heights of last term, but has continued his 100% record of scoring against Crystal Palace and at White Hart Lane. However, he gets subbed off ridiculously often and may still be struggling from an injury picked up with the Argentine Olympic Team. His lack of form seems to affect him as he tries to do too much and over think moves to compensate. Still, he’s the only player in the team that always wants the ball and could still end the season on a high if he picks up again.
CF- Simone Zaza
Set to return to Juventus in January and it’s not hard to see why. Zaza tries but sadly is not good enough for the Premier League. He has shown glimpses but just isn’t up to speed to do it constantly. He actually one upped his penalty against Germany. Took a shot at Old Trafford that went out for a throw-in behind him, John O’Shea style.
GK- Adrian
Jussi Jaaskelainen, was very unlucky to be dropped back in 2013, but Adrian took his chance. Now, it is understandable he was dropped. Still a marvelous shot stopper, but he is more and more erratic with his decision making, costing us goals against Manchester City, Watford and Stoke City by coming out too early. Ironically, he was called up to the Spain squad and dropped from our team within a month.
DM- Pedro Obiang
Hammer Of The Year, so far. He does his job really well, with key interceptions and has a fantastic range of passing. His re-introduction to the first team coincided with an up turn in form, and who can forget him beating three players and crossing to Payet for Fletcher’s equaliser at Manchester United?
CF- Diafra Sakho
The Senegalese forward committed one of the worst sins a footballer can commit by refusing to play and train. A summer move to West Bromwich Albion fell through due to lack of fitness, and after two games back, Sakho is injured and with off the field issues, a departure is expected in January or summer.
CM- Mark Noble
Has been affected more than most by the stadium move. Noble usually feeds off the intensity of the fans and this ups his game, and thus the rest of the squad. This can’t happen at the Olympic Stadium. The increased pitch size has made his lack of speed more evident and he hasn’t been helped by the lack of movement in front of him. On current form, his England call up won’t happen anytime soon.
LM- Gokhan Tore
Looked good playing for Besiktas in Europe, but appears to be a highlights reel player. Very good at crossing and never gives up, but that’s about it. Makes poor decisions, passing straight to a Middlesbrough player, and his shooting ablity appears none existent.
CB- James Collins
Over two spells in Claret & Blue, Ginge has been a loyal servant to the club. But 2016–17 appears to be a season too much for the Wales defender, with injuries suffered in his first spell finally catching up with him. Despite famously having Luis Suarez, Diego Costa and Sergio Aguero in his backpocket at various points in the last few seasons, he has been torn apart by the likes of Troy Deeney and Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
CAM- Andre Ayew
Suffered from the record signing curse with a serious injury 34 minutes into his debut, since returning has shown glimpses of quality but hasn’t had a sustained run in one position yet. Not clear where he best fits into the side positionally. Still we spent £20,500,000 on a player who was available on a free a year ago.
CB- Angelo Ogbonna
After a fantastic first year, the Italy international has struggled this year. Harry Kane’s equaliser for Tottenham came after his ball watching and Mesut Ozil opened the scoring for Arsenal after a poor pass, to name a few of his errors. He is ill disciplined as well, at points during the Arsenal game, he was loitering on the edge of their box despite playing centre-back.
RM- Sam Byram
Soon to return from injury the former Leeds man has played exclusively at full back during his West Ham career. His poor pass to Reece Burke led to Astra’s winner in the Europa League and it is clear too many he is still raw. At 23 years of age, Byram would hope to kick in the second half of the season or in 2017–18 though, else he may not make it.
FW- Ashley Fletcher
The most exciting of our youth products. Fletcher is only 20, yet looks really mature for his age. A strong powerful forward, who has impressed in short cameos, scoring his first goal for the club at former club Manchester United in the League Cup. Went up well against Laurent Koscielny and Nicolas Otamendi too. Moments in games show us his inexperience, however Fletcher has the potential to be a first choice England international in future.
LB- Arthur Masuaku
Signed after injury to Cresswell. A solid performer in his opening games, until having a mare up at West Brom, when he gave away a penalty for a totally unnecessary handball and was found wanting for the other three goals. Injured not long after that and since played 135 minutes against Manchester United and Arsenal, where he went forward well but struggled defensively. Still looks a fine back up to Cresswell and challenger for a first team spot if he can get his confidence and fitness back.
LM- Dmitri Payet
The 17th best player in the word, officially. The Ballon d’or nominee has been inconsistent this season, being called out for it by Paul Merson on Sky Sports. But he still provides more chances than any other player in the league, we just haven’t had any strikers capable of taking the chances he provides. He also understandably and is annoyed we didn’t sign one who could, after publicly boasting the intention to do so. He does need to stop floating in his corners though, there isn’t enough power for the likes of Carroll to make a decent connection.
CF- Jonathan Calleri
This summer’s “Sulli special”. The Argentinian striker was reportedly a target for Barcelona, though it’s hard to see why. Fluffed his lines with a beautiful chance against AFC Bournemouth on his league debut and was non existent against minnows Accrington Stanley. Yet to start a Premier League game, but has done little to suggest he warrants a start in his substitute cameos. Might turn good, but like much of our summer signings, we can’t afford to give him too much time.
CF- Toni Martinez
Summer signing from Valencia. The 18 year old has looked good for the Under 23 side, recently scoring a hat-trick against Wolves. Yet to make the squad for a first team fixture, but a call up cannot be too far away.
RM- Michail Antonio
Deservedly made the England squad twice. Top scorer with seven goals. Six coming with his head. Since being moved away from right-back, where he was awful and exposed, he has shown last season’s form. However, recently looks greedy in both defence and attack. Defensively looks suspect, we need to sign a new right back in order to unleash him on defences. Has looked good as a centre-forward too, but needs to improve his passing and crossing for when he plays on the wing.
CM- Edmilson Fernandes
The young Swiss midfielder, signed from Sion has played in a variety of positions and looked good in all of them. Still has the odd moments in games when he makes rash decisions. If the club weren’t struggling so much, we may have been able to give him more of a chance in a more relaxed environment, still could be a mainstay in the side for the next decade and beyond.
CB- Reece Oxford
Has been out of the first team picture since the Europa League adventure ended, however this probably isn’t the best situation to put a young defender, a struggling side leaking goals. Recently signed a new five-year contract.
CAM- Dominigos Quina
Made substitute appearances in Europe. Not had a chance to make an impact. Scored a cracker against Ipswich Town for the Academy side. One to watch for the future.
Hopefully the club can get round to actually signing the players they should’ve signed in the summer during the January window. Hopefully those players under performing can pick up up their games and the club might still have a shot at reaching 7th like they did last season.
Oh and seeing as it’s Christmas soon, here’s some pictures of Carlton Cole playing in the snow at Ewood Park, six years ago ❤