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The curious case down West Ham’s right side

By Jeremiah Carson

SOUTHAMPTON, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 27: Grady Diangana of West Ham United controls the ball during the Premier League match between Southampton FC and West Ham United at St Mary's Stadium on December 27, 2018 in Southampton, United Kingdom. (Photo by Dan Mullan/Getty Images)
SOUTHAMPTON, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 27: Grady Diangana of West Ham United controls the ball during the Premier League match between Southampton FC and West Ham United at St Mary's Stadium on December 27, 2018 in Southampton, United Kingdom. (Photo by Dan Mullan/Getty Images) /
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Dilemmas, controversies, and question marks are all things that West Ham and their fans have grown accustomed to.  They are usually defined as bad things or things that need worked on but in the case of West Ham’s current right side, this might actually be a good dilemma to have.  Let the “arm chair” managers of the world clash as we discuss this hot topic.

Quality vs Quantity

In years past, we have not always had an issue with one or maybe two quality players but the quantity and depth has always been an issue with the Hammers. However I would suggest that we, for the first time in a while, have both at the moment. West Ham’s current selection down the right side consists of Antonio, Diangana, Snodgrass, and when healthy Yarmolenko. When all are on, one could argue that any of them could start at any Premier League club outside of maybe the top 4. But with both quality and quantity, comes tough decisions and sometimes unpopular ones.  Most recently, Snoddy reemerging getting the nod and Antonio getting a sub spot over Diangana.

Experience vs Raw Talent

One thing for certain with these three in particular is that when they came on the Premier League scene, they all possessed raw talent. Antonio coming out of the non-league, to Forest, to here has to be one of the best rises in the history of modern English football. Robert Snodgrass’s raw talent came to fruition when he signed professionally at Livingston and it was where he caught the eye of and turned down giant clubs such as Barcelona and at the time Blackburn. As for Grady Diangana, let just be honest for a second. When this season started, I doubt that anyone saw him as a potential starter but alas here we are.

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On experience you have to say that you could really only argue for Antonio or Snodgrass as Grady just doesn’t have that much time under his belt yet. But the debate remains, would you pick experience or raw talent in this day and age?  The credit for the re-emergence of both Antonio and Snody this season has to come to Manuel Pellegrini and I believe that it is their experience in the PL that has pushed them to be better. For now I think depending on formations and opponents, dictates whether Antonio or Snodgrass starts. There will come a time for Grady Diangana and I am sure we will still see him from time to time but with both Snody and Antonio possessing both talent and experience it has to fall on them.

Good Problems

We are in a good spot at West Ham United at the moment with a growing depth chart and players that seem to have passion to play for the badge on the front and not the name of the back and to get where we all want to go we will have to have both quality and quantity, youth and experience and above all a will to play for West Ham United. This current dilemma only shows that new and exciting issues that we face as a club and my hope is that it only grows from position to position. Until next time, COME ON YOU IRONS!