Over the past two years I have sung the praises of West Ham’s Pedro Obiang. But this season he has been off his usual form.
There are always players who catch the eye more than most in a football team. Players like Payet, Lanzini and Antonio will get plaudits for their flair before a workhard central midfielder will for a solid shift. But Obiang has been recognized over the previous years as a solid operator for West Ham.
This season, however, he has seemed off the boil. His usual passing range has been absent, he’s been worrying about the ball going forward and also less than brilliant in the challenge. So why has this change occurred?
A brief overview of what's going on with Pedro Obiang this season, can he refind his form for West Ham under Moyes? pic.twitter.com/C2d6WzPeWh
— Green St. Hammers (@GreenStHammers) November 23, 2017
As you can see from the stats above, he’s not as performed well on any mark. His position and teammates are the same, so it seems strange that there is such a marked difference between seasons. But I think it comes down to emphasis and trust.
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Last season, even though it wasn’t great, the team seemed to trust each part to do their job. As such the formation was evident throughout, even when losing. This season has been a complete shambles in the organizational mark, and it’s showing. Obiang, a player who thrives on being able to read the game, needs structure to succeed.
Kouyate is another midfielder that has had a poor season, and his poor positional sense is what has really knocked Obiang. The Spaniard doesn’t know whether to push or sit. He doesn’t know if he should be sliding across or holding the side he is on. And when they get the ball back he isn’t sure about his options. Where is his release ball? I play central midfield for my Sunday team, and I love knowing where my partner will be when I win the ball and where my attackers are going to be in case there is a release ball open. Obiang doesn’t have that certainty.
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And whilst I think this is the case, he needs to pick it up. He has natural ability, but it’s about grinding when it’s not going well. So far I haven’t seen that is season.