West Ham’s Mid-Season Report

After the first half of the season came to a winning end on Monday, I wanted to look back at how we’ve performed so far, looking at and grading each player’s contribution.

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Article by Tom Burford

Slaven Bilic – (A)

Super Slav has already show in 19 games that he’s got more tactical nouse and adaptability than Big Sam every showed in his whole period in charge.

He’s quick to amend his mistakes in games and understands when certain game-plans should be used to cater for certain situations.

All managers make mistakes, but it’s about how quickly they realise and amend the issue. The Saints game was a perfect example, we set up completely wrong from the start with Jenkinson at LB, and Kouyate and Song in the wrong roles in midfield. It was a wretched first half but Bilic swapped Tomkins and Jenkinson over and bought on Lanzini for Song which completely changed the flow of the game.

I’ve big hopes for our side with this man at the helm

Adrian – (A-) 20 games

The Spanish cult-hero has had another excellent season and it really is good to see a real fan favourite regularly performing well.

He’s won us a lot of points this season with some fantastic saves and is a very serious contender for Hammer of the year, he’d be the first goalkeeper to win the award since Robert Green back in 2008.

I’ve graded him as A- because of some of his decision making. It’s very harsh to say so, but there have been a couple of times he’s elected to punch when a simple claim would end any attacking threat. But overall one of our best players by a mile.

Darren Randolph (C+) 6 games

After a very shaky start in the Europa League, Randolph has looked a creditable understudy to Adrian, with the clean sheet at Anfield being a highlight. Despite conceding 4 against Bournemouth, he was actually one of our better players that day, making a string of good saves.

I’ll be the first to admit I wasn’t confident when seeing him against FC Lusitans in the Europa League, I was very worried about our number 2. But I’m a lot more confident now.

Winston Reid – (A) 14 games

Winston Reid has been absolutely colossal for us this season. The contract disputes and constant transfer rumours look to be a thing of the past now, thankfully, and it’s affected his performance for the better.

It’s only because of the excellent performances of Collins, Tomkins and Ogbonna that we haven’t crumbled during his absence through injury.

A cool head at the back, and pivotal to any European push in the future.

Angelo Ogbonna – (B) 13 games

He came with a big reputation for Serie A and after a little bit of time to settle, he looks pretty solid to me. He’s still got some learning to do though in respect of the pace of the English game, Italian football is played at a much slower pace that here and that must be difficult to adapt to.

I think it causes him to occasionally make challenges he doesn’t need to make, the penalty incident against Aston Villa being a key example.

But as much as I love the Ginger Pele and James Tomkins, I think Ogbonna and Reid, in time, will be our strongest centre-back pairing

James Tomkins – (B+) 22 games 2 goals

Tomkins deserves extra-credit for the way he’s stepped in at right back to cover for the injured and out or form Jenkinson at various periods of the campaign and he’s performed well there too.

The academy graduate has now matured into a solid and reliable defender all of the way across the back line, even at left back! (Monday v Southampton).

I still think an international cap is beyond him at this point and I still think he’ll struggle to start if Reid & Ogbonna stay fit.

James Collins - (B) 12 games

Arguably cost us a place in the next round of the Europa league with a needles challenge to get himself sent off against Astra when 2-0 up and he looked to have fallen out of favour with Slaven Bilic.

But injuries saw him get another chance and he grabbed the opportunity with both hands.

There were huge question marks over his future with us, but his performances in the absence of Winston Reid have been superb, throwing in his trademark last ditch blocks and big headers all over the park.

The Ginger Pele earned himself a new 2 year deal earlier in the month which is brilliant. He’s one of my favourite players.

Aaron Cresswell – (B-) 22 games 1 goal

Still trying to reach the level he was at which earned him the Hammer of the Year award last year, with many questioning some of his decision making and distribution. He’s made a couple of mistakes for goals this season too.

He has started to find some form over the Christmas period when everyone has had to dig in during the recent injury crisis, and scored a belter against Villa.

Hopefully his recent injury won’t affect his return to form, after he missed his first league game for West Ham against Southampton.

Carl Jenkinson – (D-) 18 games 2 goals

I really hate singling players out for criticism, especially for my team, but Carl Jenkinson has had a stinker for the majority of this campaign.

He was absolutely superb for us last year, so nobody blamed the club for activating another loan deal for him from Arsenal.

He is absolutely all over the place defensively and looks really low on confidence and I thought the decision to play him out of position against Southampton was a poor one. When he switched to right back he slowly but surely looked better as the game went on. Hopefully he’s turning the corner.

Pedro Obiang – (B-) 13 games

He was the first signing of the summer but has really struggled to nail down a regular first team sport thanks to the performances of Kouyate and Noble and the arrival of Alex Song.

He is mostly used at the moment to sure up the midfield to play out a result and to be honest once everyone is fit he’ll have a fair bit to do to make other players miss out.

However he’s only young still and could develop into an excellent midfielder. When he has been required he’s rarely put a foot wrong.

Cheikou Kouyate – (A) 21 games 3 goals

He was the unsung hero of the team when everyone was raving about Payet and Lanzini. He is so strong despite his somatotype, bundling players off the ball whilst being pivotal when turning defence into attack with his direct runs at the opposition.

He’s scored some important goals too, including the opener at Arsenal and a late, late equaliser against Norwich.

He’s a beast and his presence means we’re always competitive in the midfield.

Mark Noble – (B) 22 games 2 goals

Opinion is split right down the middle on Mark Noble, but I’m very much in his corner.

There are parts of his game that are incredibly frustrating, the most being needless, mistimed tackles in very dangerous areas. But his drive, passion and sheer will to win has to be admired.

He barks orders all over the park and despite what some may think, I perceive us to lack a little organisation in his absence.

He never tries things out of his skill set, he knows what he’s good at and sticks to it. A very consistent performer for me, but there are many that don’t agree.

I’m glad the England cap dream didn’t lead him to look elsewhere, this is his home and very much his club.

Michail Antonio – (B-) 7 games 1 goal

It took a while for his chance to come due to the excellent performances of Victor Moses, and some fans could be forgiven as to why we had spent £7m on this guy.

I thought he had a very solid game at Old Trafford and completely grabbed the Southampton game by the scruff of the neck, deservedly earning the man of the match award.

He looks an excellent talent, and put a lot more pressure on Victor Moses to perform, as they are like for like in my opinion.

I will be interesting to see if Victor Moses comes straight back in, or if Antonio has earned his opportunity with the starting XI

Victor Moses – (B+) 11 games 1 goal

He’s performed consistently well for every team he’s played for. A very experience head with a lot of pace and skill. 

With the exception of his strike against City, I think his finishing lets him down at times, but West Ham have lacked a winger that attacks the box and tried to get round the back of the full back, none since Matt Etherington for me.

His performance against Newcastle was superb, with his run and shot against the bar leading to Payet’s second goal.

I can’t wait to see him back, if indeed he’ll come straight back into the side.

Manuel Lanzini – (A) 15 games 5 goals

I honestly think he’s been as good as Payet this year. What a talent, and so young too.

He is incredibly creative, very quick off the mark and dances in and out of tackles with ease.

I first saw him in the pre-season friendly against Werder Bremen, he was excellent and gave them all sorts of problems. Since then he’s gone on to be a permanent fixture in the starting XI and completely changed the flow of the game when he was bought on against Southampton.

We have to sign him permanently before the big clubs come sniffing.

Dimiti Payet (A+) 14 games 5 goals

It seems like a lifetime ago that Dimitri Payet was involved in first tam action and we’re getting very close to the comeback.

He could well be one of the best flair players we’ve ever had on our books, and we’ve had a few.

I love how, along with his devastating skill, pace and ability to wander through tackles, he can get stuck in and win the ball back himself. He tracks back and works all game long.

His 1st goal against Newcastle was a peach as was his goal against Leicester, and we’ll be a real force to be reckoned with if he stays fit in the second half of the campaign.

I hope they haven’t rushed him back as he needs to be in tip top condition for the remaining 5 months of the season.

Nikicia Jelavic (C-) 9 games

It’s very early to judge Jelavic as he’s not seen too much first team action. But the games I’ve seen him involved him indicate this standard is too high for him. He’s getting on a bit now and has lost a lot of pace. He’s good in the air though and holds the ball up reasonably well. It was good hold up play by him in the lead up to Lanzini’s goal away at Tottenham.

He needs to find some form and quickly or he won’t be making the squad when everyone is fit.

Mauro Zarate (B-) 20 games 5 goals

One of the most frustrating players in the squad, absolutely world class one minute and them completely disinterested the next.

I was delighted to see him get another chance as he wasn’t given a fair shot from Big Sam, he seemed to have a hang-up about him because he wasn’t one of his signings.

He can be selfish at times, but that selfishness has led to 2 good goals against Arsenal & Leicester along with a screamer against Chelsea and a wonderful free-kick against West Brom.

He’s the sort of player you want on the ball when you’ve completely run out of ideas. He will work openings for himself, but with that he does give the ball away a lot.

I’m sure people may rate him lower, but I’m all for player’s trying things, even if moves do break down sometimes.

Andy Carroll (B) 12 games 2 goals

Is building a career as a bit of an impact sub at the moment, with 2 winning goals off the bench against Chelsea and Southampton respectively.

I do think our whole philosophy changes when he starts, defenders find it very easy to try and find his head when it’s just as effective to build from the back.

He’s copped a lot of stick from some supporters at games I’ve been at after his headers go astray, but for me the players around him should be anticipating those knock-downs and should share as much of the blame.

My big criticism of Carroll is trying to be too clever with the ball at his feet. His attempted 

Cruyff turn in the box cost us against Watford and nearly gave Saints a route back into the games in the closing stages of Monday’s game.

He’s still a huge player for us though, and there’s no way we should be looking to ‘cash-in’ on him as some fans seem to be suggesting.

Diafra Sakho - (B) 14 games 5 goals

Not quite as prolific as last season, but is always a threat.

He actually did an excellent job holding the ball up and allowing the wingers to advance up the field in Carroll’s absence. There have been games he hasn’t scored in where he’s dominated defences, causing them to make mistakes and take their eyes off other options. I’d have him starting every time when he’s fit.

Enner Valencia – (B-) 7 games 1 goal

He still hasn’t lived up to the hype and his price tag for me yet but you can see he’s got some very dangerous attributes, he just needs to stay fit and knuckle down and I’m sure it will come for him.

He formed a super partnership with Sakho last season and they looked devastating. But Carroll was Big Sam’s man and I think Enner being dropped really affected his performance.

Hopefully under a new gaffer he’ll blossom.

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