West Ham are entering the point of the season where they need to start getting some results.
West Ham have wasted too much of the early part of the season and unfortunately their will be no more easy games. The match against London rivals Tottenham is an example of this.
Tottenham are title hopefuls despite recent form and it is very important to them that they win this match as well. That is one reason why West Ham will need to be wary. Quite frankly this match will be great entertainment for the casual observers. I can’t necessarily say I believe that it will be great viewing for West Ham supporters however.
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If West Ham are to get anything out of this match they’ll need to perform well in several key battles:
Harry Kane vs The Defense
One of the most endearing, if not quality, parts of the squad so far this year has been the defense. At times they look solid and at other times like they’re more focused on scoring goals than preventing them. Admittedly I am a stickler when it comes to defense. I was a center half and have very staunch beliefs on the subject. The biggest issue this year has been consistency. Sometimes they’re heroic, sometimes they’re shambolic. It is simply impossible to predict what is going to happen with these guys on a regular basis.
For this to go well the match against Tottenham will need to be one of the days that they get it right. Harry Kane can be devastating on his day. He has struggled with injuries and form so far this season but it would be in the spirit of this season for the current match to be the one in which he came to life. Winston Reid as the natural leader of the defense must win this battle. He needs to take it personally. If Harry Kane scores he must count it as his own personal failure. If he doesn’t then West Ham are doomed.
Dimitri Payet vs. Jan Vertonghen
So much of West Ham’s hopes this year ride on the shoulders of Payet that it seems to be crushing the man. He is an unbelievable talent but this year he has not been even close to as good as he should be.
That said, I’ve never been convinced by Vertonghen. He is one of this new school of defenders who’s focus is as much on his hair as headers. He has improved in recent years and I admit I can at times be unfair. However, this is a battle that Payet can win. Of the two Payet is the superior player and he needs to prove it.
Next: Keeper Faceoff: Adrian v Lloris
Michael Antonio vs. Kyle Walker
This match-up is going to be interesting. Michael Antonio is lacking many, many things as a footballer. One thing that he is not missing however is work rate. In that respect he is exactly the same as Kyle Walker. This will be a battle. A full 90 minutes of fighting.
Let us hope that Michael Antonio comes out on top. If not well, I guess the bottom three is alright. NO IT ISN’T ALRIGHT! He must win this battle. No more excuses.